News

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

  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 […]

  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 […]

  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 […]

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 […]

  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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

Honoring the memory of Eddy Merle Watson, son of the legendary Doc Watson, Merlefest is a four-day outdoor festival that features the best of old and new in Country, Bluegrass, Americana and Folk music. Music lovers from all over the country flock to the hills of North Carolina to attend this event for four days every […]

NS Design exhibits every year at this international gathering of musical instrument manufacturers and distributors in Frankfurt, Germany. This year, visitors to our booth were excited to try our RADIUS bass guitars, and expressed great enthusiasm for the electric guitar prototypes we had on display.

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 […]

“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 […]

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 […]

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) annual conference in Anaheim, California, January 22nd – 25th is a major gathering for manufacturers, distributors and dealers in all things music. At the NS Design this year, we were honored to have performances twice daily by the Levin Brothers, featuring renowned bassist/cellist and NS Artist Tony Levin […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]