The International Bluegrass Music Association‘s annual World of Bluegrass conference is the epicenter of all things related to the music. NS Design returned to this event to share our instruments with our Bluegrass friends. Our electric double basses—and increasingly electric violins too—have enjoyed a rapid rise to popularity among Bluegrassers due to their good looks, great tone, and easy playability.

This year, the new CR5 RADIUS Bass Guitar made a big splash too. Lucas Bellotti, of Italian Bluegrass group Red Wine, took to the instrument immediately and performed with it both on International Night and on the main stage of the Street Fair.

The NXT double bass also got plenty of stage time, in the hands of players like Reed Jones of Audie Blaylock and Redline and Daniel Perry of the Moore Brothers Band. IBMA featured the Moore Brothers in the “Future of Bluegrass” showcase of young artists, where they played this rousing cover of “Weight” for the late night crowd.

As always, we had a great time meeting and jamming with friends new and old. Special thanks to Samantha Snyder, of the Snyder Family Band, Daniel Perry and Jacob Moore of the Moore Brothers, and Jedi Willis of the Willis Clan for stopping by to play our basses and fiddles, and thanks to Tim Weed, Marty Warburton, and Mike Kropp for the banjo and guitar jams too. See you all next year!