NS Design Violins
The Ned Steinberger violin is one of the most technically sophisticated electric violin designs made. Its versatility and adjustability is unmatched, from easily adjusted tone and response to removable upper bout (a standard feature). Headphone jack too - this violin will serve many purposes no matter what kind of music you play!
Design
The symmetrical body shape retains all the physical reference points for ease of transition from your acoustic violin, and yet looks totally modern and sleek. Beautiful wood and careful attention to detail keep your eyes happy, while your ears feast on a nice violin tone.
Ergonomics
By reversing the strings (with the ball end where the scroll would have been), the NS Design violin concentrates the weight right over your shoulder. The single pivot point of the shoulder pad gives you more ability to adjust than the normal two-point attachment of conventional violin pads.
The knurled knob tuners are behind the bridge where you expect your fine tuners to be, and do both fine and coarse tuning. Changing strings is much faster than any other violin design.
The volume control is on the E string side of the body, easy to find. Beside it are the treble and bass tone controls, and the 3-position switch for pizzicato/arco sensitivity. Headphone and output jacks are on the back.
Colors
Finish is a standard violin color - golden orange, like many Mittenwald violins, over curly maple on the top, with plainer maple elsewhere. There is a thin line of black veneer between the top and the body, for a nice visual accent. We hear rumors of custom colors perhaps becoming available - stay tuned for the latest news.
Tone
The NS Violin "sound" is quite authentic, and is instantly tailored to your taste. There is no other electric violin with tone controls as effective. You can boost the treble without reducing the bass, because you have a knob for each. And if you want to have your plucked passages really pop out, use the 3 position toggle switch - it increases sustain also.
Use any strings you like the feel of. Bridge height is easily adjusted with a screwdriver without removing any back panels. Responsiveness varies with string type - steel strings like Helicore (standard) respond faster, while perlon ones like Evah Pirazzi feel more like a concert violin.
5-Strings
The NS Design 5-string violin plays almost as easily as a 4-string - the bridge angle is absolutely correct for playing on the inner strings. It does take some re-learning, because the G string is no longer at the bottom of the bridge curve. If you intend to play mostly classical music, we usually recommend staying with 4 strings to eliminate any confusion as you switch between acoustic violin and electric.
Technical Highlights, Versatility, Compatibility
- Three-position switch for adjustable sound and response - pizzicato, arco or a blend.
- Bridge height easily adjusted.
- Headphone jack.
- High-quality mechanical tuners that allow fast changing of strings.
- Modern ergonomics for ease of playing - upper bout easily removed.
- Shoulder pad is adjustable for height, angle and tilt.
- Balance point close to shoulder.
- Same reference points as an acoustic violin (with an easily-removed upper bout), so switching from an acoustic to an electric instrument requires no special adjustment.
- Suitable for classical music, and for every fiddling style imaginable.
- Sounds good with almost all amplifiers, although it is always best to consult with us to match your playing needs.
Value/Investment Potential
The NS Violin is a handmade instrument, yet since it is made in a shop in the Czech Republic, it hits the middle ground between those with the cachet of being made by one craftsman and the factory instruments. Although a production violin, it retains its value by its technical wizardry, tone, reliability and popularity. Although we usually have plenty in stock, over the last year, we have seen a 2- or 3-month wait for our next scheduled delivery, up from a couple of weeks.
The Inside Scoop
As one of the most successful dealers of NS Design bowed instruments, Ned Steinberger has consulted with us about design points and possible refinements to his design. It is indeed an honor to chat with an instrument innovator like Ned about his dreams, and how we feel he can even better serve string players. Electric Violin Shop often receives the first examples of his new designs. For example, we took delivery of the very first NS Design CR Viola, and promptly sold it to the former head of the Music Department at the University of North Carolina. Since retirement, she and her husband (a musicologist who never gave up playing his trumpet) have formed a jazz combo and are happily improvising through their golden years.