Welcome to the first edition of THE LYONN’S ROAR – “Special Effects” by Julie Lyonn Lieberman. Julie focuses on using effects with electric bowed instruments, including multi-effects processors, and how they can add “spice” to your playing and sound. To see a video demonstration of some of the sounds you can achieve, visit Strings Without […]
Instruments
Introducing Julie Lyonn Lieberman’s “The Lyonn’s Roar!”
NS Design is pleased to announce that NS Artist and String Educator JULIE LYONN LIEBERMAN will be featured in a new series that we affectionately call the “Lyonn’s Roar!” Every month readers can look forward to education and advice on how to improve as a player, performer and musician and get the most out of your electric stringed instruments.
Bass Musician Magazine’s Year of the Luthier: Ned Steinberger – NS Design.
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 […]
Louis Ochoa: Taking Flight
FROM JAZZ SOLOING TO CLUB GIGS, from backing singer songwriters to soloing with a 100+ piece orchestra and chorus, Louis Ochoa is finding his wings in some exciting and decidedly unique ways. Born in the Philippines, Louis A. Ochoa moved to New York in 1998 and embarked on his formal training at the Bass Collective […]
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 […]
The Levin Brothers to perform at the NS Design booth! (Hall B, #5860)
NS Design is proud to announce the appearance of The Levin Brothers at our booth at NAMM 2015 – January 21 – 25 in Anaheim, CA. The Levin Brothers are, of course, bassist Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Stickmen, etc.)—who is this year adding the NS Cello to his repertoire—and his brother Pete Levin […]
From the Maine Sunday Telegram: In Ned Steinberger’s studio, the violin gets an electric makeover
Rock stars have played his electric guitars. Now the Maine instrument maker creates electric violins, cellos and violas. BY BOB KEYES STAFF WRITER – Maine Sunday Telegram NOBLEBORO – Ned Steinberger designed electric guitars for Sting, Peter Gabriel and Eddie Van Halen. More recently, he has designed electric violins, a viola and cello for clients […]
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 […]
David Strother’s latest (and bluer than blue) jazz release: AZUL
Reviewing avante garde jazz violinist David Strother’s latest release, “Azul”, Florence Wetzel of allaboutjazz.com, writes “Strother has carved out a very special field for himself, a depiction of nuanced sensations too often overlooked in our noisy world. Through the vehicle and vision of his violin, he creates sonic haiku that allow us to experience the […]
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 […]
Folktronic Rumblings—Bassist Robbie Malone with David Gray
Watch Robbie pulling out lyrical lines on his NS CR Bass, accompanying indie-folktronic minstrel David Gray on his hit “Sail Away”. Check out more of Robbie on David Gray’s newly released album “Mutineer”. Information about David Gray’s 2014 North American Tour this Fall is at: https://tickets.davidgray.com/.
The Levin Brothers
Tony Levin is featured in the September 2014 issue of Bass Player magazine, showcasing Tony’s new work (with an NS Cello!) on the forthcoming Levin Brothers Jazz CD. This intimate article journeys through Tony’s long-time association with NS Design and his enviable and disparate musical journey. Harkening back to the “Cool Jazz” Tony and older brother […]