(For questions relating to specific instruments, please see the Bass FAQ, Omni Bass FAQ, Cello FAQ, or Violin FAQ.)
Will there ever be a ¾ size (or ½ size, or ⅞ size, etc.) NS Violin (Viola, Cello, Bass, etc.)?
NS Design instruments are not available in fractional sizes. However, some players may find that the compact body of an NS instrument is easier to handle than a full-size acoustic equivalent.
What is the best way to remove rosin from the body and bridge of my NS instrument?
A good thing to remove rosin, believe it or not, is mineral spirits. Dampen a cloth with the solvent and rub off the rosin. For extreme rosin build up, we have also found that Goo Gone™ is a very powerful cleaner.
I want to use a wireless transmitter with my NS instrument. Is the output strong enough to send to a wireless unit?
NS instruments deliver a signal strong enough for most wireless transmitters. However, the WAV and NXT series passive instruments are high impedance and require the transmitter to have an impedance of at least 1 MOhm, and preferably in the range of 3 - 10 MOhm.
My NS instrument has dot markers on the fingerboard. What do these indicate?
The dots mark the theoretical fret positions on all fretless NS instruments. Intonation varies slightly with string type and height settings. You may wish to use an electronic tuner to see exactly where the finger should be placed in relation to the dots for accurate tuning.
How do I adjust the bridge on my NS instrument?
Just below the bridge, on the back of the body, there are two adjustment screws. Using a Phillips screwdriver, turn these screws clockwise to raise the bridge or counter-clockwise to lower it. After adjusting the string height, check side to side alignment of the strings with the neck. Use finger pressure at the side of the bridge to the center the strings if needed.
Can I use a standard bow with my NS instrument?
All NS instruments can be played exactly the same way as their acoustic counterparts, and all can use standard bows---violin, viola, cello, or double bass as applicable. NS Design sells high-quality carbon-fiber bows that are perfectly-suited to our instruments.
Do I need to worry about humidity with the NS instrument as I would with an acoustic?
Humidity will affect all NS instruments, albeit to a lesser extent than their acoustic counterparts. The bodies and fingerboards of the instruments will absorb moisture under high humidity and release moisture under low humidity. On larger instruments, this can result in more or less curvature of the fingerboard. The shape of the fingerboard can be adjusted by use of the truss rods. The violin and viola bodies are smaller and much less affected by changes in humidity, and these instruments do not include truss rods.
What are the differences between the new NXT and CR bass models?
- The NXT bass uses a passive pickup, which does not require a battery. CR-series basses have an active preamp powered by an on-board battery, which offers more control over tone. The NXT can easily be plugged directly into an amplifier with good results, and many amplifiers provide enough tone shaping in the preamp section (tone controls). Both instruments use NS Design's Polar Pickup technology.
- The CR and NXT basses both have maple necks and bodies and ebony fingerboards. The ebony on the CR-series is a higher grade (darker). The CR-series has carved top cap of figured maple on body face; the NXT uses a figured maple veneer.
- The CR tripod is double braced steel. The NXT has tubular tripod. Both are very sturdy and stable.
- The tuners on the CR-series are made by Schaller. Those on the NXT are proprietary.
Can I tune my bass in fifths?
It is possible to tune the bass in fifths but special strings may be required for best results.
Can I replace the B,E,A,D,G tuning on my 5 string with E,A,D,G,C?
Yes, the strings will mount in the same fashion without any nut and/or bridge modification.
I have a bass guitar amp, and I want to plug my NS Bass directly into it. Do I need to worry about the impedance of the input?
The WAV and NXT passive pickup systems perform best with a minimum input impedance of 1 Meg ohm (equivalent to 1000 K). The CR instruments, which are all active, will work well with any input impedance.
I'm buying NS Electric strings for my bass. Should I get the Contemporary or Traditional strings?
The Traditional NS Electric Strings offer the best response for arco (bowed) playing on NS basses. Contemporary strings offer lower tension and a brighter sound for pizzicato playing.
How do I adjust the neck relief on my NS bass?
The truss rod is accessed at the headstock, just above the nut. Using the supplied Allen wrench, turn counter-clockwise to increase relief; clockwise to decrease.
How do I adjust the signal of my optional EMG magnetic pickups? (CR Series only)
Adjacent to each individual pickup is an adjusting set screw. Loosen the set screw to adjust the pickup to the desired height. The US and EU models are spring loaded while CR models are not. On the CR models, the adjustment set screw is threaded into a small housing next to the larger pickup coil. Tighten the set screw to lock pickup height in place.
How do I balance the signal between the optional magnetic pickups and the Polar piezo bridge?
The top trim pot on the NSDB's preamp controls the gain of the EMG system. You can easily match the signals by setting the switch in one position, and rotating fully the blend knob between magnetic only (fully counter-clockwise) and piezo only (fully clockwise) as you adjust the pot.
More questions? See the General FAQ.
Does the Omni Bass work better with a cello bow or a double bass bow?
Although players have had success with both, most prefer to use a cello bow with the Omni Bass.
How do I adjust the neck relief?
The truss rod is accessed at the headstock, just above the nut. Using the supplied Allen wrench, turn counter-clockwise to increase relief; clockwise to decrease.
How do I adjust the signal of my optional EMG magnetic pickups?
Adjacent to each individual pickup is an adjusting set screw. Loosen the set screw to adjust the pickup to the desired height. The adjustment set screw is threaded into a small housing next to the larger pickup coil. Tighten the set screw to lock pickup height in place.
How do I balance the signal between the magnetic pickups and the Polar piezo bridge?
The top trim pot on the NSDB's preamp controls the gain of the EMG system. You can easily match the signals by setting the switch in one position, and rotating fully the blend knob between magnetic only (fully counter-clockwise) and piezo only (fully clockwise) as you adjust the pot.
What kind of strings are standard with the Omni Bass?
Both the fretted and the fretless Omni Bass come standard with flatwound NS Electric Strings by D'Addario, for Omni Bass/Bass Guitar (NS710).
More questions? See the General FAQ.
What are the differences between the new NXT and CR cello models?
- The NXT cello uses a passive pickup, which does not require a battery. CR cello has an active preamp powered by an on-board battery, and offers more control over tone. The NXT can easily be plugged directly into an amplifier with good results, and many amplifiers provide enough tone shaping in the preamp section (tone controls). Both instruments use NS Design's Polar Pickup technology.
- The CR and NXT cellos both have maple necks and bodies and ebony fingerboards. The ebony on the CR-series is a higher grade (darker). The CR-series has carved top cap of figured maple on body face; the NXT uses a figured maple veneer.
- The CR tripod is double braced steel. The NXT has tubular tripod. Both are very sturdy and stable.
- The tuners on the CR-series are made by Schaller. Those on the NXT are proprietary.
- Only the CR cello is available as a 6 string. We do not have a NXT 6-string cello planned at this time.
How high does the range of the CR-6 cello extend?
Tuned conventionally, the CR-6 cello extends a full fifth above and below the range of the conventional four-string cello: F-C-G-D-A-E. The low F string can in some cases be tuned down to a low E. For lower range than that, players should consider the Omni Bass or any of NS Design's upright bass models.
Can I tune the NS Cello in fourths?
It is possible to tune an NS cello in fourths, but specially-designed strings may be required for best results.
How do I adjust the neck relief on my NS cello?
The truss rod is accessed at the headstock, just above the nut. Using the supplied Allen wrench, turn counter-clockwise to increase relief; clockwise to decrease.
More questions? See the General FAQ.
Can I plug headphones into my NS violin/viola?
The CR-Series violin and viola, which use an active pickup with on-board battery, have dedicated headphone jacks alongside their standard 1/4″ jacks. Any standard set of headphones will fit. NXT and WAV series violins do not have a dedicated headphone jack, and their passive pickups won't power headphones directly. However, it is often possible to plug headphones into an amplifier and monitor your sound that way.
Will the violin fit in a normal case or is a special case required?
NS violins and violas are sold with custom cases that fit their shapes perfectly (and are slightly smaller than a conventional acoustic cases). They would require additional support to fit in acoustic violin/viola cases, due to their smaller body size.
What does a pre-amp do, and do I need one for the NS violin/viola? (Or can I plug directly into an amplifier?)
The CR-series violin and viola have pre-amps built-in. NXT- and WAV-series violins do not have on-board preamps, and the output from these instruments is strong enough not to require a preamp. Most amplifiers include a pre-amp, although depending on your amplifier, using an external one may give you more headroom and more control over your sound.
More questions? See the General FAQ.
National Sales Office : 866 NS DESIGN (866-673-3744 Toll Free) 
