I guess the title is self explanatory...
I have a G.A.S relapse and I want to buy me a birthday present (I'll be turning 40 by the end of August).
SG12:
I would like a short scale instrument, most probably all in 4ths (uncrossed?). Ideally I would like to have a couple of hipshot xtenders to be able to switch from straight 4ths to a guitar like tuning.

NS-Stick
I would like an instrument that can be plucked and played with a pick ( heresy! ).

Decisions, decisions... What do you think?


Cheers, Daniel.

PS: "Get both" is not a financially viable answer unfortunately

Do you want to play in the bass guitar register ? This will answer your question.

Simple as that. I'd do a SG12, but i come from a guitar background, so...

I originally gravitated towards the Stick ,because bass players were becoming a dying breed or at least very flaky and using horrible instruments.
I can now be in a two man trio.

i don't really like the idea of ns sticks. go for the sg12.

Have you tried playing an NS? What don't you like about them? If I was a wealthy man I would definately have at least 1 NS in the collection.

Daniel, I've played both NS and SG12 for a few minutes. As a former bass player, I had some nice moment with the NS, as I was in a "known" territory. It's a very nice instrument, but I find it difficult to play it with a tapping technique (space between the strings too wide). But the sound is very usable and "professional". If you already are a bass player, you will find it very easy to approah, and you can play music instantly.
The SG12 is a great option, and some tunings featured on the SE website are simply brilliant. My main concern would be the very close space between frets near the pickup. Here again, the sound is very pleasant and the fact that the range is less extended than a regular Stick makes the sound "fuller".
All in all, you can't go wrong with either instrument (you know that I think), but if you want to know my opinion... errr, I would choose... I don' t really know. Maybe the SG12, because I'm really now into the tapping technique now.
What role do you want to endorse with this new instrument?

Thank you all for your answers so far.
A friend lend me his guitar a few weeks ago, and I really enjoyed revisiting my lousy guitar chops That's why I was thinking of an NS; it can be plucked, strummed and played with a pick besides tapping.
On the other hand, I would like to have a short scale instrument mainly for the portability factor; something that I can take with me on holidays with a headphones amp. I like the low range of a normal stick but I think I will not miss it that much. I tried once a 30'' scale tapper and I really liked it! A very nice compromise, easy on the hands and full bass sound (a standard bass E will be OK for me).

I play solo, unfortunately I don't have time to play with a band although I'm sure that will be highly beneficial for me (purpose unleash ability) but maybe not so good for the other band members So I don't have a definite role to fill (bass, comp, melody). And so far my playing choices have been more determined by my ability / talent (or lack of) / time and patience, a couple of jazz standards and a few classical pieces.

Cheers, Daniel

PS: As a side track, this is a very interesting lecture on neuroscience and decision making, it's quite long but worth the time
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GScikOGe-oA[/youtube]

So I guess you already have the answer. From what I understand, the SG12 would be the more obviously choice!

I finally got to try an NS last year, and knew almost instantly that it wasn't for me. However, I'm speaking as a conventional bass player and Stickist. I actually believe it may be an ideal instrument for guitarists wanting to explore a bigger range. Keep in mind that you don't have to tune an NS starting with a low B. You could set it up to be more of a baritone guitar range (see the recent topic in NS section). I think Glenn Poorman mentioned that he had a bit of a revelation when he tried a guitar tuning on the NS. I suspect it could be a great intrument to play with a pick, or for fingerstyle guitar. For conventional bassists, it's not great for slapping (nothing with more than 4-strings is ) and plucking IMO, and yes, tapping feels awkward compared to the Stick.

The SG12 would give you a shorter scale, but maybe not an ideal setup for picking styles? A "double guitar" tuning would probably be the way to go. My gut feeling is that you'd want to tap it all the time - I know I would!

Cheers,
Andy