• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Find a Dealer
  • Register
  • Support
  • Shop
NS Design Logo

NS Design

Groundbreaking Electric Stringed Instruments

  • NS Design Logo
  • Home
  • Instruments
    • NS Violin
      • NS Violin Overview
      • CR Violin
      • NXTa Violin
      • WAV Violin
      • Violin Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Viola
      • NS Viola Overview
      • CR Viola
      • NXTa Viola
      • Viola Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Cello
      • NS Cello Overview
      • CR Cello
      • NXTa Cello
      • WAV Cello
      • Cello Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Omni Bass
      • NS Omni Bass Overview
      • CR Omni Bass
      • NXTa Omni Bass
      • WAV Omni Bass
      • Omni Bass Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Upright Bass
      • NS Upright Bass Overview
      • EU Upright Bass
      • CR-M and CR Upright Bass
      • CRT Upright Bass
      • NXTa Upright Bass
      • WAV Upright Bass
      • Upright Bass Pricing
      • Custom CR Series Finishes
    • NS Bass Guitar
      • NS Bass Guitar Overview
      • CR RADIUS Bass Guitar
      • THE NXTa RADIUS BASS GUITAR
      • WAV RADIUS Bass Guitar
      • RADIUS Bass Guitar Pricing
    • Shop NS
    • Catalogs
    • Manuals
    • Find a Dealer
      • U.S. Dealers
      • International Distributors
  • Accessories
    • NS Electric Strings
    • Bows
    • NS Violin/Viola Accessories
      • Adjustable Chin Rest
      • Balanced Shoulder Rest
      • Custom Shoulder Rest
      • Violin/Viola Stand
    • NS Cello Accessories
      • Cello End Pin Stand
      • The NXT Tripod Stands
      • The CR Tripod Stand
      • The Boomerang Strap System
      • The Frame Strap System
      • Thumbstops for Cello and Bass
    • NS Omni/Upright Bass Accessories
      • The Boomerang Strap System
      • The Frame Strap System
      • Bass End Pin Stand
      • Bass End Pin Stand Conversion Kit
      • The CR Tripod Stand
      • The NXT Tripod Stands
      • Thumbstops for Cello and Bass
    • Flight Cases
    • Find a Dealer
      • US Dealers
      • International Distributors
    • Shop NS
      • Accessories and Support Systems
      • Bows
      • Cases and Gig Bags
    • Accessories and Strings Pricing
  • Inside NS
    • NS Artists
      • Violin
      • Viola
      • Cello
      • Omni Bass
      • Upright Bass
      • RADIUS Bass Guitar
    • News
    • History
    • Interviews
  • Support
    • Parts and Technical Support
    • Register your NS Instrument
    • Contact
    • NS Catalogs
    • Owners' Manuals
    • FAQ
  • Shop NS
    • All Products
    • Instruments
      • All Instruments
      • Prototypes and Special
      • Violin
      • Viola
      • Cello
      • Omni Bass
      • NS Electric Upright Bass
      • RADIUS Bass Guitar
    • Accessories and Support Systems
    • Cases and Gig Bags
    • Bows
    • Merchandise
  • Search
  • 0 items
Sale!

CR Series Viola

$4,595.00 $3,799.00

 
Reset options
  • Description
  • Additional information

Description

The 4-string NS Viola completes the NS Design family of electric concert stringed instruments. With a remarkable tonal range due to its innovative Polar™ pickup system, the NS Viola is able to selectively capture the string vibration favored for both bow and pizzicato technique with stunning brilliance and sensitivity. Now the violist can shed the constraints of the acoustic instrument, and enjoy full, rich, powerful sound from an instrument that is very comfortable to play.

Features & Highlights

BRIDGE PICKUP: The NS Viola features the Polar bridge-mounted piezo pickup system which responds selectively to either vertical vibration (for the sustained plucked sound, like a mandolin), or lateral vibration (for dynamic bowing, and a percussive plucked sound).

ACTIVE ELECTRONICS: The dual mode preamp allows the player to choose between two very distinct tone qualities. The first mode delivers the full frequency response of modern low impedance electronics, for a rich, full-blown “electric” sound. The second is balanced to produce the frequency response of the traditional viola, for a more “acoustic” sound. A three-way toggle switch allows the player to select the desired pickup and electronics options. Additional controls include volume and individual bass EQ & treble EQ controls.

PRECISION TUNING HARDWARE: With the NS Design patented tuning system, remarkably precise and stable tuning is accomplished entirely behind the bridge, in the manner similar to the fine tuners of an acoustic instrument. With the elimination of the traditional scroll and pegs, weight is shifted in towards the body of the player for optimum comfort. Although specially formulated NS Electric Viola Strings from D’Addario™ are recommended, any standard solid or stranded core viola string will fit the NS Viola. We do not recommend nylon (Perlon) core or gut core strings.

Specifications

LENGTH: 585 mm (23″)

WIDTH: 116.8 mm (4.6″)

THICKNESS: 51 mm (2″)

WEIGHT: 775 grams

SCALE LENGTH: 366 mm (14.4″)

STRING SPACING: Bridge 18 mm (0.7″) Nut 38 mm (1.5″)

CONSTRUCTION: Straight grain quarter-sawn solid European maple body and neck, with a flame maple face.

FINISH: Traditional amber stain with polymer top coat. Custom finish options are available for the CR Viola including Slate Gray, Quilted Maple, Poplar Burl and Zebrawood.  Click here to see examples of these Custom CR Series finishes.

BODY REFERENCE BOUT: Black-dyed maple bout on treble side provides standard viola reference. Easily removable for unrestricted neck access.

FINGERBOARD: Hand-graduated ebony.

BRIDGE: Black-dyed maple, height adjustable via screws on back of body.

STRINGS: NS Electric Strings by D’Addario™ are standard.  Compatible with solid and stranded core viola strings.  Synthetic core strings are not recommended.

PRECISION TUNING HARDWARE: Fine tuners are mounted on the body behind the bridge for precise, stable tuning. Automatic string clamping allows for quick, easy string changes.

BRIDGE PICKUP: The Polar directional piezo pickup system responds selectively to either vertical vibration  (for remarkably even and sustained plucked/pizzicato sound, like a mandolin), or lateral vibration (for dynamic bowing, and a percussive plucked sound).

ACTIVE ELECTRONICS: Dual mode preamp allows the player to choose between two distinct tone qualities: (1) the extended frequency response of modern low impedance electronics, for full-blown “electric” sound, and (2) active electronic shaping to replicate the frequency response of the traditional viola, for a more “acoustic” sound. A three-way toggle switch allows the player to select the desired pickup and electronics options.

CONTROLS:

  • Volume
  • Treble EQ
  • Bass EQ
  • 3-way Switch for Polar pickup:
    • forward – vertical string vibration (for sustained pizzicato)
    • center – lateral string vibration, full frequency for arco
    • back – lateral string vibration, “acoustic” timbre for arco

HEADPHONE JACK: 1/8″ headphone jack for silent practice and self-monitoring.

Additional information

Weight 8 lbs
Dimensions 32 × 7 × 12 in
Finish

Amber Satin

NS Shop Terms and Conditions

Footer

Join the mailing list

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Products

  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Omni Bass
  • Upright Bass
  • Bass Guitar
  • Accessories

Inside NS

  • News
  • Artists
  • NS Connect LIVE
  • Interviews
  • History

Customer Service

  • Contact Us
  • Register your NS Instrument
  • Parts and Technical Support
  • Find a Dealer
  • FAQ
  • Owner’s Manuals

Copyright © 2023 · NS Design · Log in