Re: pondering what to do with my NS stick in Australia
Hey, I had no problem knowing what to do with my Stick in Australia
Didn't bring my NS with me as that was too much to carry over the pond. Funny thing recently happened to me, I just made a MTB video and put my own music in the background, and found my NS ended up playing a bigger role than I anticipated.
I recently switched effects, ditching the VG-99 down to a TC Nova Systems, which has some fantastic features that really do wonders with the NS. What you describe is why I sold my fretless bass, wasn't playing it very much compared to the guitar, NS before I acquired the Grand. Try playing it through a wah pedal with effects, you might get some new ideas for the upper register.
Compare recording your six string bass and your NS in your computer. Which is easier to dial in? I'm thinking the NS is, I find that to be true against my 4 string bass.
What tuning are you using? For me, I had to immediately retune in the beginning to BEADGBEA as straight fourths sounded way too tense in the high end for me. I've also been experimenting with two capos, one on each side of the neck. Try that out, you might find fingerpicking the upper register to be useful having a capo; I often put one on around the 10-12 frets on the highest strings.
Based on your fondness for Steinbergers, in my opinion you will regret getting rid of it later on if you do. Especially when the day comes Evan creates some real killer line on his. There are not too many established players on this instrument, the opportunities are wide open waiting to be had. Hope this helps.