by Raul Amador AS WE WRAP UP THE YEAR OF THE LUTHIER CELEBRATIONS, I THINK IT IS ONLY FITTING TO HEAR FROM NED STEINBERGER! Ned worked closely with Stuart Spector (Our January cover) in designing the first Spector bass and has been a pioneer in innovative instrument design. The entire line of stringed instruments, including […]
NS Design WAV4 RADIUS Bass Guitar Review – MusicPlayers.com
Review by Kel Pilshaw. Besides being a world-class instrument builder, Ned Steinberger has always had an appreciation for beauty and instrument aesthetics, and his design philosophies manifest themselves perfectly in his RADIUS electric bass line. The NS Design WAV4 RADIUS bass guitar is a fantastic professional instrument, delivering nearly everything we love about the Czech […]
NS Design announces the new NXTa Active series.
The NXT Series Goes Active and Stays Green! With the launch of the new NXTa series, Ned Steinberger and NS Design herald the introduction of battery-free, high performance active electronics for the full family of NXT instruments. These include the violin, viola, cello, Omni bass and double bass. The new capacitor-powered custom circuitry, designed for […]
Confessions of an NS Design-Loving Traditionalist
Convenience is an idol, and I have no desire to worship at its altar. I don’t own an iPod, I prefer my 78 RPM records played on my vintage tube phonograph. I don’t own a coffee maker, I would rather use my french press, or better yet, I would rather make a cup of […]
NS iNSight – A Perfect Fit
Music instrument aesthetics are rarely, if ever, considered from a scientific point of view. Yet for industrial designers and architects, form must meet function. And there is a lot of science and technology to apply in this way. While technique for playing bass is often the subject of passionate discussion, and there are varying […]
NS iNSight – Perfecting the tuner.
Pulleys and levers. Remember them? Yes, those concepts you learned in high school physics are the heart of the NS Design patented tuning system found on all the NS Design headless instruments. In particular, US Patent 6,528,710. Ned has been perfecting tuning systems for guitars and stringed instruments going all the way back to […]
Marcos Varela debut “San Ygnacio”
Houston born native and New York City based composer and bassist Marcos Varela releases his debut “San Ygnacio” on Origin Records. Check out Jon Liebman of For Bass Players Only and his interview with this burgeoning young artist. Melding genres from be-bop to latin and african infused original compositions and jazz standards, Marcos has created […]
On the set of NBC’s Hollywood Game Night with Claire Courchene and Ric Markmann.
As a two-year-old growing up in the UK and listening to her older sister practicing, Claire Courchene was determined and inspired to pick up the cello. That determination continued unabated, and eventually attending The University of Miami as a double major on both cello and trombone, she crafted her performance and technique, ultimately leading […]
Benny Rietveld Shares Tales Of Musical Adventure
Santana bassist talks to FBPO about working with Carlos, Miles, Sheila E. and his expanding roll as music director. By David Sands Top photo: Alan Poulin Photography June 3, 2015 Listening to Benny Rietveld, it’s hard not to be a little amazed at the places his bass has taken him. To start with, he plays with Carlos […]
Get Serious, Have Fun – The WAV is Back
The WAV is back! NS Design is proud to announce the return of the ever-popular WAV4 (4-string) and WAV5 (5-string) electric violins. Noted for excellent tone, versatility, and playability, the WAV shares core features with the advanced CR and NXT instruments. This well-priced yet serious instrument is perfect for any player who is ready for […]
EXPERT REVIEW: NS CR5 RADIUS BASS GUITAR from Harmony Central
A bass that can do it all…or at least come close enough for jazz. By John McVarish I’m making a list So what does a demanding bassist require and how much are we (my significant other and I) willing to spend? First off, I’m old school and have never played in a pop band with […]
Meet Wytold
If you’ve never seen him, this video is a great example of what NS Design Artist Wytold Lebing is all about. Wytold has excited audiences with his unique artistry at the Kennedy Center Millenium Stage, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Strathmore Performing Arts Center, and a host of other venues. His recent performance with […]
NS Insight: Highs & Lows
NS Insight: Highs & Lows There’s a reason why professional bass players love the big, punchy low end and the glistening highs & harmonics of an NS Bass. Here’s what’s going on: Human hearing is naturally strong in the mids (roughly between 1 and 5 kHz, the vocal frequency range), but drops off at higher […]
James “Hutch” Hutchinson – Bridging Musical Worlds
Iconic bassist talks to FBPO about his three decades with Bonnie Raitt, plus a whole lot more you may not have known By David Sands April 8, 2015 James “Hutch” Hutchinson has been cooking up music with blues-rock legend Bonnie Raitt for over three decades. It’s a relationship the bassist cherishes, but his musical hunger […]
“Astounding to say the least” – MusicPlayers.com review of CR5 RADIUS Bass Guitar
“A gorgeous work of art” might be one way to describe the NS Design Radius when you first remove it from the custom-shaped gig bag, especially when coated in the Amber Satin finish of our review instrument. We couldn’t help but be impressed by the workmanship, fit, and finish of our review instrument, the five-string […]
Strings Without Boundaries – Summer Sessions
NS Design Artist, Educator, Violinist and Composer Julie Lyonn Lieberman is proud to announce her popular Strings Without Boundaries sessions for 2015. Pairing educational opportunities for amateur and professional players in a highly exciting and positive environment, exploring traditional and contemporary musical styles for string players. NS Design is excited to have NS Artists Charles […]
Chance Wilder Onody likes to make his own rules – FBPO interview
Hot, young up-and-comer says bass is “not a background instrument” By Mindy Rochwerg December 3, 2014 Twenty-four year old Chance Wilder Onody is starting to get noticed, and deservedly so. Primarily self-taught, Onody, has been described as a “virtuoso bassist” and “classical crossover instrumentalist.” Chance recently sat down with FBPO’s Jon Liebman to talk about his musical […]
Guitar and Bass Magazine honors the RADIUS
NS Design’s CR5 Radius Bass Guitar receives Guitar and Bass magazine UK: December 2014 Cover Story Gear of the Year – Winner Guitar Awards 2014 Bass Guitar Over £1000. There are very few people who deserve a place at the top table of bass design – the game-changers, the designers and the inspired individuals whose […]
Les Claypool and Primus select East Coast USA dates:
Enigmatic and possibly the “world’s most interesting bass player” Les Claypool will be joining his band Primus, playing select East Coast US dates in June with dates following in September. You can also catch his storytelling Americana narrative group Duo De Twang on tour throughout the Summer. Always a showman with his unfettered and […]
NS Design Adds CR4 to Radius Bass Guitar Lineup by Kevin Johnson of NoTreble.com.
Bass enthusiast Kevin Johnson of NoTreble.com is certainly excited about the new CR4 Radius Bass Guitar from NS Design. NS Design Adds CR4 to Radius Bass Guitar Lineup by Kevin Johnson of NoTreble.com: Following up on the introduction of the NS Radius Bass Guitar last year, NS Design has announced the CR4 Radius bass. The […]
Brittany Frompovich’s “Rock for Strings”
In case you haven’t heard of it, the “Rock For Strings” course by solo artist Brittany Frompovich is perfect for any classically trained bassist planning to “get electrified.” We’re proud to say that, teaching or performing, the NS upright bass and the new NS Radius bass guitar have become Brittany’s go-to instruments. This summer, her […]
The NS Radius Bass – A New Approach to Bass Ergonomics by Todd Urban
Bass Musician Magazine features a wonderful review of the NS RADIUS Bass Guitars by bassist Todd Urban featuring insights by designer Ned Steinberger. The NS Radius Bass – A New Approach to Bass Ergonomics http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2014/05/ns-radius-bass-new-approach-bass-ergonomics-todd-urban/
Play Nice With Others – Jonathan Moody
Whether on big stages, orchestral settings, theater pits, jazz clubs, composing or writing product reviews, bassist Jonathan Moody’s unique perspective and observation on the professional setting is always a joy to hear about. He reflects on his jamming experience at NAMM 2014 in this uplifting article for Seymour Duncan online “Play Nice with Others” http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/the-players-room/play-nice-with-others/
NS Design electrifies the 26th Annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival
NS Design and it’s electric bowed instruments were “plugged in” to the lineup at the 26th Annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival at the Sheraton Framingham in Framingham Massachusetts, February 18th through the 20th. The Joe Val Festival celebrating the life and legacy of the late Joe Val (Joseph Valiante) of Everett Massachusetts, is the Northeast’s […]