THE NS ELECTRIC UPRIGHT BASS
Welcome to the NS Design electric upright bass family by Ned Steinberger. More than any other instrument in its class, the NS upright captures the feel and tonal character of an acoustic bass, while adding dimensions of performance energy, ease and versatility not possible with any acoustic. Originating with our flagship EU upright bass with its cutting edge ergonomics and sound shaping, the NS line now includes the sophisticated and versatile CR upright bass and CRT upright bass with active electronics and onboard mixer, the NXTa upright bass featuring the new battery-free active output electronics, and our most affordable model, the high performance WAV upright bass.
For over five centuries much of the evolution of the double bass reflects the challenge of finding the optimal blend of tone, volume, playability and portability. The NS electric upright bass surmounts those traditional challenges and offers the player extraordinary new opportunities. We invite you to join us on this adventure in musical freedom and expression.
“impeccable craftsmanship from a country with a reputation for quality upright bass building. It's clean aesthetics, excellent playability, and great sound put it ahead of the pack.”
— Bass Player Magazine
"The NS Upright has been an inspiration, both recording and in concert with Crimson and Gabriel. The arco response, in particular, is so good it's got me playing rock with a bow."
—Tony Levin
King Crimson, Peter Gabriel
Solo artist, session bassist
"This Bass changed my life!"
—Doug Wimbish
Session Bassist
Living Color
many, many others
The end result, sound-wise, is a bass that has it all: sweet arco, contemporary-jazz pizz, thumping Latin, rocking punch, and a mammoth low B that was more than any amp in my shop could handle - and all of this from an instrument that's guaranteed for life and fits in an airplane's overhead bin.
Bob Macaskey
Bass Player Magazine
December 1996
I have enjoyed every moment
I spend playing this bass... In fact I have not seen much daylight since it arrived... I just want to keep playing... It has even inspired some new music... So I thank you for the work you have done, and for helping me out with acquiring the bass...
I will cherish it always..."
— Eric Mingus
"I'm loving the hell out of this bass!"
—Jim Creegan
Barenaked Ladies
NS Bass Artists
Feature Comparison
All NS Upright Basses Have:
- Adjustable height bridge
- Polar™ Pickup System
- Maple Neck/Body/Bridge
- Hand graduated fingerboard, asymmetric relief, with cascading dot pattern for position reference.
- Adjustable truss rod for precise fingerboard relief adjustment.
- Scale Length: 106 cm (41.73").
- Length: 132 cm (52"); Width:15 cm (6"); Thickness: 10 cm (4")
- Compatible with most standard ¾ size upright bass strings.
- Padded gig bag standard with bow holder, handle, strap and accessories pouch
- Tool kit, Owners Manual
- Optional NS accessories include: German or French Bass Bow, Bass End Pin Stand, CR Stand Conversion Kit (works with CR Tripod Stand), Bass Neck Heel (Thumbstop), Frame Strap System, Boomerang™Strap System, Flight Case. Instruments with CR stand also accept NXT stand and vise versa.
EU
Electronics
18-volt active circuit by EMG™. Low impedance EMG magnetic pickup system, with individually adjustable coils, neodymium magnets and low noise, hum-canceling preamp.
Controls
Rotary for Volume, Balance pickups, Balance Polar, Treble EQ, Bass EQ
Tuning Machines
Premium grade worm gear tuners; black finish.
Fingerboard
Richlite™; 5 cm (2 ") wide at nut; 9.3 cm (3.7 ") max. width.
Weight
EU5 5.128kg (11.30 lbs.); EU6 5.286kg (11.65 lbs.)
Finish
Flame maple, traditional Amber satin finish. Custom finish also available: Quilted Maple, Poplar Burl, Zebrawood, Slate Gray.
Other
27 alternating layers of rock maple and graphite fiber laminated in an epoxy matrix. The entire back of the neck is curved to follow the fingerboard surface, creating a broad pocket for the thumb. Neck thickness under 1". D'Addario™ NS Electric Flat Wound Upright Bass strings.
Stand
CR Tripod Stand
Model Options
4-string EADG; 5-string BEADG; 6-string BEADGC; left-handed models available by special order
Origin
Czech Republic
CRM
Electronics
18-volt active circuit by EMG™. Low impedance EMG magnetic pickup system with individually adjustable coils, neodymium magnets and low noise, hum-canceling preamp.
Controls
Rotary for Volume, Balance pickups, Balance Polar, Treble EQ, Bass EQ
Tuning Machines
Premium grade worm gear tuners; black finish.
Fingerboard
Richlite™
Weight
4.8 kg (10.5 lbs.)
Finish
Flame maple, traditional Amber satin finish. Custom finish also available: Quilted Maple, Poplar Burl, Zebrawood, Slate Gray.
Stand
CR Tripod Stand
Model Options
4-string EADG; 5-string BEADG; left-handed models available by special order
Origin
Czech Republic
CR
Electronics
18-volt active circuit by EMG™
Controls
Rotary for Volume, Balance, Treble EQ, Bass EQ
Tuning Machines
Premium grade worm gear tuners; black finish.
Fingerboard
Richlite™
Weight
4.8 kg (10.5 lbs.)
Finish
Flame maple, traditional Amber satin finish. Custom finish also available: Quilted Maple, Poplar Burl, Zebrawood, Slate Gray.
Stand
CR Tripod Stand
Model Options
4-string EADG; 5-string BEADG; left-handed models available by special order
Origin
Czech Republic
CRT
Electronics
18-volt active circuit by EMG™
Controls
Rotary for Volume, Balance, Treble EQ, Bass EQ
Tuning Machines
Premium grade, heavy-duty, fully encased worm gear tuners; black finish.
Fingerboard
Richlite™
Weight
4.8 kg (10.5 lbs.)
Finish
Flame maple, traditional Amber satin finish. Custom finish also available: Quilted Maple, Poplar Burl, Zebrawood, Slate Gray.
Other
D'Addario™ NS Electric Traditional Flat Wound Upright Bass strings.
Brass button 'reference' at D neck.
Bridge height raised
Stand
CR Bass End Pin Stand
Model Options
4-string EADG; 5-string BEADG; left-handed models available by special order
Origin
Czech Republic
NXTa
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
4.8 kg (10.5 lbs.)
Finish
Solid, straight grain maple, with maple face (Satin Black model) or flame maple face (Sunburst model) on body
Other
Includes NXTa AC charger
Stand
NXT Upright Bass Tripod Stand
Model Options
4-string EADG; 5-string BEADG; left-handed models available by special order
Origin
Czech Republic
WAV
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
4.1 kg (9 lbs.)
Finish
Flame Maple face with transparent high gloss lacquer, Amberburst, Transparent Red, Transparent Black. Brilliant White model is opaque with high gloss lacquer.
Stand
NXT Upright Bass Tripod Stand
Model Options
4-string EADG; 5-string BEADG
Origin
India
A printable .pdf version of the NS Electric Upright Bass Feature Comparison Guide is linked here.