CR4 Omni Bass - Amber Review

A wonder surprise from my wife!

I have been a fan of EUBs for a while and have been playing a Zeta Crossover bass for many years, struggling to learn arco (bowing). My wife surprised me with this wonderful instrument, and wow, it truly is worth the price, though there are many priced this high that I do not believe are. I mainly play a fretless Godin, which is a wonderful bass, but this is amazing. Yes, it… read more is comparing a Corvette to a Civic, price wise, but the tonal flexibility, the ease in which it bows, and the warmth of the tone is amazing. The boomerang strap system is really fantastic. I am a very short, fat guy, so I was concerned that it wouldn't work. It allows so much flexability in how you hold it, and I quickly found a sweet spot where I locked the arms, and then kept the center bolt loose enough that I can shift from upright to electric guitar positioning with ease, and completely sold once there. It is wonderfully odd to have a bass strapped on that I can remove my hands from it and move around with it not shifting or tilting in anyway! I am sure the other Omni's are just as amazing. The one warning is that this is an 18 volt bass, that is right, two 9v batteries.

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A special instrument

Disclaimer: I am biased towards NS Design instruments and have been playing a CR4 EUB for over a decade. My other basses are a Warwick Thumb NT and Corvette $$(for reference). I gig regularly. A bass guitar scaled EUB-like instrument isn't for everyone. The radius of the fingerboard will feel unfamiliar to bass guitar players and the scale will feel odd to upright players. So… read more who is it for? Everyone that wants to wander into new territory. It's also great for upright players of smaller stature that play a 1/2 size bass. This instrument will have you thinking differently. Old lines will feel new and you will discover passages just from the physical differences from other instruments. The strap system is innovative and really comfortable. You can play this bass in any position including the standard bass guitar position but you won't want to for long. Playing in the upright position is a door to another universe for the bass guitarist. The radius and neck profile becomes a benefit and feels very comfortable. I have gigged this instrument out a few times already and really enjoy it. More manageable than the full size CR4 and a wider and more authentic range of tones than other fretless electrics. The preamp, emg's and David Gage pickups are very flexible and pleasing to the ear. Outboard EQ's and Preamp's will not be necessary. Even though these are not cheap, the price is well worth it. The quality, play-ability and tone are fantastic and the instrument is in a class by itself.

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