THE NS ELECTRIC CELLO

More than any other electric cello on the market, the NS Electric Cello is designed for performance excellence in the plugged in world of effects, amplifiers, and high-powered sound reinforcement. The NS Cello line-up includes the sophisticated CR Series with its active electronics, and the straight-ahead pro level NXTa Series featuring the new battery-free active output electronics, and our most affordable high performance WAV Series. Regardless of model, the NS Electric Cello is an extraordinary extension of the cello's long evolution, letting it share the stage on equal terms with other electrics. The Polar™ Pickup system, which is at the heart of every NS, delivers full-bodied natural tone, absent troublesome wolf-tones, with an amazingly even and pleasing response in every range. The stand and strap system options offer exceptional mobility and freedom on stage.

"I would like to thank Ned Steinberger for his wonderful design and incredibly versatile instrument. The bowed sound has wonderful control, and the pizzicato sound is unique in that the cellist has a switch that controls different choices of sound. In my recent recording engagements, the cello has played a wonderful part in creating sounds that are unique and unusual."

—David Darling (ECM recording artist)

"The NS Cello provides a means through which a player can make music without having to accommodate technical limitations that have been imposed by instrument design since the Renaissance. There are some who will be frightened by the freedom the instrument offers; others will immediately recognize that to master this instrument is to grow immensely as a cellist."

—Myles Jordan (Da Ponte Quartet)

Feature Comparison

All NS Cellos Have:

  • Adjustable height bridge
  • Polar™ Pickup System
  • Maple Neck/Body/Bridge
  • Hand-graduated fingerboard; intonation referenced with cascading dot markers.
  • Adjustable truss rod for precise fingerboard relief adjustment.
  • Scale Length: 69.5 cm (27.36")
  • Length: 94 cm (37"); Width: 14 cm (5.5"); Thickness: 9.5 cm (3.75")
  • Padded gig bag standard with bow holder, handle, strap and accessories pouch
  • Tool kit, Owners Manual
  • Optional NS accessories include: Cello Bow, Cello End Pin Stand, Cello Neck Heel (Thumbstop), Frame Strap System, Boomerang™ Strap System, Flight Case.

CR Series

Electronics
18-volt active onboard preamp by EMG™

Controls
Rotary for Volume, Treble EQ, Bass EQ; 3-way toggle switch for Polar Pickup System and Electronics

Tuning Machines
Premium grade, heavy-duty, fully encased worm gear tuners; black finish.

Fingerboard
Richlite™

Weight
2.5 kg (5.5 lbs.)

Finish
Flame maple, traditional Amber satin finish. Flame maple, traditional Amber satin finish. Custom finish also available: Quilted Maple, Poplar Burl, Zebrawood, Slate Gray.

Stand
CR Tripod Stand

Other
1/8" headphone jack for silent practice and self-monitoring; Brass escutcheon pin on the rear of the neck serves as a reference point corresponding to the heel of an acoustic cello.

Model Options
Fretless or Fretted. 4 string tuning: CGDA; 5 string tuning: FCGDA; High E tuning also available by request: CGDAE; 6 string tuning: FCGDAE.

Origin
Czech Republic

NXTa Series

Electronics
Battery-Free Dual Mode Active / Passive

Controls
Rotary for Volume, Tone (Treble roll off); Push Pull for Active/Passive Mode; 2-way toggle switch for Polar Pickup System

Tuning Machines
Heavy-duty, fully encased worm gear tuners; black finish.

Fingerboard
Richlite™

Weight
1.9 kg (4.2 lbs.)

Finish
Solid, straight grain maple, with maple face (Satin Black model) or flame maple face (Sunburst model) on body

Stand
NXT Cello Tripod Stand

Other
Includes NXTa AC charger. Brass escutcheon pin on the rear of the neck serves as a reference point corresponding to the heel of an acoustic cello.

Model Options
Fretless or Fretted. 4 string tuning: CGDA; 5 string tuning: FCGDA; High E tuning also available by request: CGDAE.

Origin
Czech Republic

WAV Series

Electronics
Passive, high impedance output

Controls
Rotary for Volume, Tone (Treble roll off), 2-way toggle switch for Polar Pickup System

Tuning Machines
Heavy-duty, fully encased worm gear tuners; black finish.

Fingerboard
Rosewood or Coform™

Weight
2.1 kg (4.7 lbs.)

Finish
Flame Maple face with transparent high gloss lacquer, colored stain undercoating for Amberburst, Transparent Red, Transparent Black

Stand
NXT Cello Tripod Stand

Model Options
4 string tuning: CGDA; 5 string tuning: FCGDA

Origin
India

A printable .pdf version of the NS Electric Cello Feature Comparison Guide is linked here.