Overview
Designed for the Bass Player looking for upright bass performance characteristics, as well as for upright bassist looking for a more portable performance partner. With its familiar 34 inch bass guitar scale, the four and five string fretless and fretted models all use identical fingering to that of the conventional bass guitar, yet deliver dynamic new plucked and bowed sounds for the serious bass guitarist seeking an expanded expressive range. This radical electric bass combines the tonal purity of the acoustic upright with the awesome power of the full-blown electric, resulting in the most versatile bass on the market today.
The Omni Bass responds to the bow with a natural and expressive voice, combining powerful bass resonance with brilliant harmonics. The strings are easily driven on both fretted and fretless models, making it possible for bassists with little bowing experience to add this beautiful dimension to their music.
From punchy, percussive attack to smooth, singing sustain, the CR Omni Bass’s exclusive Polar™ piezo pickup is the only system that allows the bassist to control the attack and decay of the plucked string. EMG™ magnetic pickups add classic electric sounds. The on-board pre-amp, EQ, and mixer allow the player full control of this wide tonal palette right from the instrument.
The Boomerang™ Strap System is standard with the CR Omni Bass. Two articulated arms and a pivoting hub allow full mobility on stage or in studio. The comfortable Boomerang strap fits over the shoulder just like a guitar, but the adjustable arms allow the instrument to be placed in virtually any position in relation to the hands and body. The Boomerang Strap System allows full mobility for either bowing or plucking.
Features & Highlights
MAPLE BODY AND NECK: The body and neck of the CR Series Omni Bass are crafted of solid European hard maple, with a flame maple face. The neck has a traditional upright shape, but with extended access to the upper register of the fingerboard. The solid-body design enhances sustain and clarity, and is resistant to the effects of temperature change and humidity.
FINGERBOARD: The 34″ scale length of the Omni Bass is the same as standard electric bass, and is available in 4 and 5 string versions, fretted or fretless. Tuned in fourths (EADGC or BEADG), the fingering positions and spacing are identical to the bass guitar, and therefore immediately familiar to any bass player.
TransRadius™ PROFILE: For a left-hand feel which is familiar to the experienced bass guitarist, the fingerboard radius at the nut is ten inches. At the end of the fingerboard near the bridge, however, the radius is just 2 inches, large enough to maintain good string-to-string articulation with the bow, yet still comfortable for pizzicato (plucked/picked) style. The asymmetrical fingerboard relief facilitates an even ‘growl’ from the higher strings and a clear, powerful lower register.
TRUSS ROD: An adjustable truss rod allows for precise relief adjustment for different strings and playing style.
CASCADING POSITION MARKERS: A cascading dot pattern across the neck provides an accurate reference for position. Fretted models have conventional bass guitar dot pattern.
BRIDGE PICKUP: The Polar directional piezo pickup system responds selectively to either vertical vibration (for the sustained plucked sound, like an electric bass guitar), or lateral vibration (for dynamic bowing, and a percussive plucked sound).
EMG MAGNETIC PICKUPS: The low-impedance EMG pickups incorporate individually adjustable coils and neodymium magnets. Each coil is buffered separately for a full sound quality with very low noise.
ACTIVE EQ AND MIXER: Controls include volume, a blend control for magnetic and piezo pickups, the mode of the Polar pickup direction, and individual treble EQ & bass EQ controls. The 18-volt power supply insures plenty of reserve overhead for full dynamics.
Specifications
LENGTH: 44.5″
WEIGHT: 7.2 lbs.
SCALE LENGTH: 34″
STRINGS: 4-string E A D G; 5-string B E A D G or E A D G C.
CONSTRUCTION: Solid rock maple neck and body, flame maple face.
FINISH: Traditional amber stain with clear semi-gloss polymer top coat. Custom finish options are available for the CR Omni Bass including Slate Gray, Quilted Maple, Poplar Burl and Zebrawood. Click here to see examples of these Custom CR Series finishes.
FINGERBOARD: Hand graduated, asymmetric relief, TransRadius profile, with cascading dot pattern for position reference; 27.5″ long, radius 2″.
BRIDGE: Hard maple, overall string spacing: 2.75 “, radius 2”.
NUT: Radius 9.25″; overall string spacing: 1.31″.
BRIDGE PICKUP: The Polar directional piezo pickup system responds selectively to either vertical vibration (for the sustained plucked sound, like an electric bass guitar), or lateral vibration (for dynamic bowing, and a percussive plucked sound).
MAGNETIC PICKUP: Low impedance EMG magnetic pickup system, with individually adjustable coils, neodymium magnets and low noise, hum-canceling preamp. Produces smooth pizzicato tone not unlike an electric bass guitar. (Magnetic pickups are not recommended for bowing.)
ELECTRONICS: 18-volt active circuit by EMG. Mono output.
CONTROLS: (top to bottom)
- Volume
- Balance – counterclockwise for magnetic pickup, clockwise for Polar bridge pickup, center for both
- Balance – counterclockwise for optimal pizzicato (plucked, sustained) sound, clockwise for optimal arco (bowed and percussive plucked) sound, center for both
- Treble – boost and cut
- Bass – boost and cut
Note: For bowing, it is best to use the bridge pickup only in arco mode.
TRUSS ROD: Powerful truss rod allows positive relief to provide optimal action.
TUNING MACHINES: Premium grade, fully encased worm gear tuners; black finish.
STRINGS: NS Omni Bass strings by D’Addario™. The CR Series Omni Bass also accommodates most long scale bass guitar strings.
Performance Support Systems
BOOMERANG STRAP SYSTEM: This optional support system has a pivoting friction hub that holds the instrument firmly in place close to the body. Attached with a guitar style strap to its two support arms, the system allows the instrument to be moved into virtually any position in relation to the hands and body as it is played. Weight is .45 kg (1 lbs.).
FRAME STRAP SYSTEM: This optional accessory is a lightweight frame structure that allows full mobility to perform in standing or upright position, holding the instrument out from the body similar to the reference in traditional positioning. The system is supported by a single guitar style strap extending over the left shoulder. Weight is 0.68kg (1.5 lbs.).
CR TRIPOD STAND: Optional, a fully adjustable steel tripod stand is available for the CRT Series double bass. Weight is 3.6kg (8 lbs.).
BASS END PIN STAND: The Bass End Pin Stand offers full freedom of movement. Height, tilt and “right bout” angle are fully adjustable providing a more conventional feel. Weight 2.3 kg (5 lbs).
BASS END PIN STAND CONVERSION KIT: To hold the instrument upright for on-stand performance or when not in use, the Bass End Pin Stand can be attached to the CR Tripod Stand (not compatible with the NXT Tripod Stand) using the optional End Pin Stand Conversion Kit.
