AudioFuNS Design NXT4a-CO-BK Cello
Electric Cellos
$2,911€2,598Check ↗
Brand profile · USA, est. 1980s
NS Design
Ned Steinberger’s NS Design (formerly NS-Design) emerged as a significant force in the electric stringed instrument world, driven by Steinberger’s reputation for innovative design and unconventional construction techniques. Initially known for its revolutionary headless bass guitars, the brand expanded to cellos, violins, violas, and double basses, offering a unique blend of ergonomics, acoustic projection, and amplified sound. NS Design instruments are recognized for their distinctive aesthetics and a focus on player comfort.
CR Series Electric Double BassesCR Series Electric CellosHeadless DesignErgonomic Neck ProfileMulti-Voice Acoustic Projection
1980sfounded
USAcountry
89products in stock
$1,176–$6,712price range
NS Design in the charts
Every chart where NS Design has five or more models — ranked by the AudioFu Index inside each.
Best NS Design electric cellos
31 models$1,782 – $5,928Best NS Design electric violins and violas
30 models$1,176 – $5,368Best NS Design 5-String electric double basses
14 models$2,118 – $6,712Best NS Design 4-String electric double basses
9 models$1,782 – $5,480Best NS Design lefthanded electric double basses
5 models$3,126 – $4,471
31 models$1,782 – $5,928Best NS Design electric violins and violas
30 models$1,176 – $5,368Best NS Design 5-String electric double basses
14 models$2,118 – $6,712Best NS Design 4-String electric double basses
9 models$1,782 – $5,480Best NS Design lefthanded electric double basses
5 models$3,126 – $4,471
All 89 NS Design products
Sorted by AudioFu Index — the strongest models of every category first. Page 1 of 2.
NS Design NXT4a Bass LH BK
Lefthanded Electric Double Basses
$3,126€2,790Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-CO-SB Cello
Electric Cellos
$2,911€2,598Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a Bass LH AB
Lefthanded Electric Double Basses
$3,239€2,890Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a Bass LH AB
Lefthanded Electric Double Basses
$3,407€3,040Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-DB-SB Double Bass
4-String Electric Double Basses
$2,947€2,630Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-DB-BK Electric Bass
4-String Electric Double Basses
$3,003€2,680Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a Bass LH BK
Lefthanded Electric Double Basses
$3,519€3,140Check ↗
NS Design CR4M Bass Lefthand
Lefthanded Electric Double Basses
$4,471€3,990Check ↗
NS Design CR5 Upright Bass Amber
5-String Electric Double Basses
$5,816€5,190Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-CO-SB-F Fretted Low F
Electric Cellos
$3,799€3,390Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c Cello Black Gloss High E
Electric Cellos
$2,118€1,890Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c Cello Trans. Red High E
Electric Cellos
$2,000€1,785Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c Cello Black Gloss Low F
Electric Cellos
$2,006€1,790Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c Cello Amberburst Low F
Electric Cellos
$2,006€1,790Check ↗
NS Design CR5-CO-PB Low F Cello
Electric Cellos
$5,581€4,980Check ↗
NS Design CR5-CO-ZW Low F Cello
Electric Cellos
$5,592€4,990Check ↗
NS Design CR5-CO-SG Low F Cello
Electric Cellos
$5,704€5,090Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c Bass Brilliant White
5-String Electric Double Basses
$2,296€2,049Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c Bass Translucent Red
5-String Electric Double Basses
$2,296€2,049Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c Bass Black Gloss
5-String Electric Double Basses
$2,342€2,090Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c Bass Amberburst
5-String Electric Double Basses
$2,342€2,090Check ↗
NS Design CR5-CO-AM Low F Cello
Electric Cellos
$5,424€4,840Check ↗
NS Design CR5-CO-AM Low F Cello
Electric Cellos
$5,424€4,840Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c Cello Trans. Blue Low F
Electric Cellos
$2,073€1,850Check ↗
NS Design CR5-CO-AM High E Cello
Electric Cellos
$5,581€4,980Check ↗
NS Design CR5 Omni Bass
Electric Cellos
$5,368€4,790Check ↗
NS Design WAV4c Cello Amberburst
Electric Cellos
$1,782€1,590Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-CO-SB-F Fretted Cello
Electric Cellos
$3,474€3,100Check ↗
NS Design CR5M-DB Zebra Wood Bass
5-String Electric Double Basses
$6,712€5,990Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-CO-SB High E Cello
Electric Cellos
$3,070€2,740Check ↗
NS Design WAV4c Cello Transparent Blue
Electric Cellos
$1,838€1,640Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-CO-SB-F Fretted High E
Electric Cellos
$3,799€3,390Check ↗
NS Design WAV4c Cello Transparent Red
Electric Cellos
$1,848€1,649Check ↗
NS Design CR4-VN-SG Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$4,415€3,940Check ↗
NS Design CR4-VN-ZW Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$4,460€3,980Check ↗
NS Design CR4-VN-PB Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$4,460€3,980Check ↗
NS Design CR4-VN-QM Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$4,460€3,980Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-CO-SB Low F Cello
Electric Cellos
$3,183€2,840Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-CO-BK Low F Cello
Electric Cellos
$3,183€2,840Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-CO-BK High E
Electric Cellos
$3,183€2,840Check ↗
NS Design CR5M-DB Amber Bass
5-String Electric Double Basses
$6,712€5,990Check ↗
NS Design CR4-CO-AM Amber Cello
Electric Cellos
$4,975€4,440Check ↗
NS Design CR4-VA-AM Amber Viola
Electric Violins and Violas
$4,583€4,090Check ↗
NS Design CR4-VN-AM Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$4,359€3,890Check ↗
NS Design WAV4c Cello Black Gloss
Electric Cellos
$1,894€1,690Check ↗
NS Design WAV5 Violin Brilliant White
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,334€1,190Check ↗
NS Design WAV5 Violin Transparent Blue
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,334€1,190Check ↗
NS Design, honestly
What NS Design does well
- Exceptional build quality and materials
- Comfortable, ergonomic neck design
- Excellent acoustic projection
- Unique, distinctive aesthetic
- Well-suited for amplified performance
What to watch for
- Can feel less 'traditional' to some players
- Headless design takes getting used to
- Premium-priced, limiting accessibility
- Some find the aesthetic polarizing
- Limited availability in some regions
Questions about NS Design
Where are NS Design instruments made?
While the design originates in the USA, NS Design instruments are primarily manufactured in Taiwan under strict quality control overseen by the company.
Are NS Design instruments easy to play for beginners?
The ergonomic neck profile is a benefit, but the headless design and potentially unfamiliar feel can present a learning curve for absolute beginners. More experienced players generally adapt quickly.
How does the acoustic projection of an NS Design instrument compare to a traditional acoustic?
NS Design instruments are engineered for enhanced acoustic projection, allowing them to be heard clearly in smaller ensembles or unplugged settings, though they are designed to be amplified.