In Prague to visit the NS factory, I came across the “Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra” playing 1920s Jazz on the beautiful Charles Bridge. What caught my eye was the violinist, who was playing a strange hybrid violin with a brass horn wrapped around the back of his head.   I introduced myself to Jan Simunek, […]

We’ve just sent a formal mailing announcing this blog to the thousands of people who’ve signed up to be on NS Design’s mailing list over the years.  We’ve had some great letters from musicians whose careers Ned’s instruments have shaped.  Bassist Jonn Stevens wrote a touching note about his Steinberger bass and his NS Bass […]

Fretboard Journal magazine includes an article on Ned and his work. Ned Steinberger will forever be associated with his namesake, headstock-less guitar (as played by Lou Reed and others). But, as writer Martin Gibson discovers in his interview with the Maine-based inventor, that iconic guitar barely scratches the surface of Steinberger’s fascinating output. Capos, modern […]

Blaise Kielar, of the Electric Violin Shop, sends us this report from the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) conference: The winner of the NS Design – Electric Violin Shop Giveaway of an NS Design WAV violin is CiCi Lau of Shreveport, Louisiana. The drawing was held March 21 at the EVS exhibit at the American […]

Hi all! I performed last weekend with the Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra in Spartanburg, SC and this was one of my solo tunes.  In this song, I create a loop with my guitar and a Lexicon Jamman and then solo with my NS CR Series violin.  I hope you enjoy this.  I wrote this song […]

We’ve received the video of NS Design’s community concert at the Skidompha Public Library, in Damariscotta, Maine.  Ed Howe played an hour-long show in which he demonstrated the capabilities of the CR-5 violin.  At the end of the show, NS sales team leader and bluegrass banjo-player Mike Kropp joined Ed onstage for a few tunes.  […]

On March 18-22, The American String Teachers Association (ASTA) held their annual National Conference in Atlanta.  I was pleased to attend the conference and present several educational sessions to both teachers and students that were involved with the conference and the National Orchestra Festival.  I am happy to report that NS Design had a strong […]

Strings magazine is giving away an NS design WAV violin!  Enter their online contest by filling out the form on this page. Strings says:  “The WAV is famous for its affordability, but it doesn’t get more affordable than free! So enter today for your chance to win your own, courtesy of Strings magazine and NS […]

Skidompha Library concert NS Design – presents “Friends of NS Design” – artist workshop with local violinist Ed Howe. Perhaps you were lucky enough to enjoy Ed Howe’s fantastic fiddling performance at the recent Chocolate Fest benefit for Healthy Kids, or have heard the buzz around his multi-layered solo performance on a Ned Steinberger electric […]

The webzine PopMatters.com has a great article about NS Bass player Les Claypool, who is also an avid fisherman. Fishing inspires many of Claypool’s songs and has also sparked several video projects. Claypool’s playful ruminations recall the childhood amazement that seizes one’s soul when pondering what lurks below the waves. Primus songs are first and […]

This weekend, I will be performing at the Durham (NC) Performing Arts Center as part of a pit orchestra for a school district-wide show choir gala called “Evening of Entertainment.” The pit for this show traditionally uses professional musicians from all around NC. This year, a few high school students will be joining the pit, […]

Once you are accustomed to the Balanced Shoulder Rest, the chin rest is optional. Here’s a solution that eliminates the chin rest and the chin rest arm entirely.

With a wah pedal, the CR violin is capable of some pretty amazing sounds. Check out these videos of the young Jazz-fusion player Adam Baldych putting the CR 5 through its paces. Check out Adam’s website too.

Over the past few months, forum-goers on fiddleforum.com have been raving about NS Design’s new line of WAV violins. Here’s an excerpt: Plugged into a Roland AC60, the thing just… sounded like a violin! Amazing. Without any reverb or ambience at all (except the natural reverb from the room) it sounded really, REALLY good… very […]

The Boomerang Strap System is now U.S. Patent number 7,485,785. You can check out the patent on the US Patent and Trademark Office’s  website