AudioFuNS Design CR4-CO-ZW Zebra Wood Cello
Electric Cellos
$5,356€4,780Check ↗
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 2 of 2.
NS Design CR4-CO-SG
Electric Cellos
$5,244€4,680Check ↗
NS Design WAV5 Violin Trans Red Gloss
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,334€1,190Check ↗
NS Design WAV5 Violin Black Gloss
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,334€1,190Check ↗
NS Design WAV4 Violin Black Gloss
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,176€1,049Check ↗
NS Design WAV5 Violin Amberburst Gloss
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,334€1,190Check ↗
NS Design WAV4 Violin Trans Red Gloss
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,176€1,049Check ↗
NS Design WAV4c Bass Translucent Red
4-String Electric Double Basses
$2,015€1,798Check ↗
NS Design WAV4 Violin Amberburst Gloss
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,221€1,090Check ↗
NS Design CR5-VN-SG Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$4,695€4,190Check ↗
NS Design CR5-VN-PB Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$4,695€4,190Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-CO-BK-F Fretted Cello
Electric Cellos
$3,575€3,190Check ↗
NS Design WAV4c Bass Black Gloss
4-String Electric Double Basses
$2,127€1,898Check ↗
NS Design WAV4c Bass Amberburst
4-String Electric Double Basses
$2,118€1,890Check ↗
NS Design CR6-CO-PB Poplar Burl Cello
Electric Cellos
$5,928€5,290Check ↗
NS Design CR6-CO-AM Amber Cello
Electric Cellos
$5,816€5,190Check ↗
NS Design CR5-VN-AM Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$4,583€4,090Check ↗
NS Design WAV4 Violin Transparent Blue
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,221€1,090Check ↗
NS Design WAV4 Violin Brilliant White
Electric Violins and Violas
$1,176€1,049Check ↗
NS Design CR6-VN-PB Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$5,368€4,790Check ↗
NS Design CR6-VN-AM Electric Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$5,256€4,690Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c-OB-AB Omni Bass
5-String Electric Double Basses
$2,118€1,890Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-OB-AB Omni Bass B-G
5-String Electric Double Basses
$3,295€2,940Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-OB-BK Omni Bass B-G
5-String Electric Double Basses
$3,295€2,940Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-DB-BK Electric Bass
5-String Electric Double Basses
$3,115€2,780Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-DB-SB Double Bass
5-String Electric Double Basses
$3,093€2,760Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c-OB-TR Omni Bass
5-String Electric Double Basses
$2,118€1,890Check ↗
NS Design WAV5c-OB-BK Omni Bass
5-String Electric Double Basses
$2,118€1,890Check ↗
NS Design WAV4c-OB-BK Omni Bass
4-String Electric Double Basses
$1,782€1,590Check ↗
NS Design CR4 Bass
4-String Electric Double Basses
$5,480€4,890Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-OB-SB Omni Bass E-G
4-String Electric Double Basses
$3,194€2,850Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-VN-BK-F Violin Fretted
Electric Violins and Violas
$3,003€2,680Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-VA-SB Viola Satin Sunb.
Electric Violins and Violas
$2,678€2,390Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-VN-SB Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$2,678€2,390Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-VN-BK Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$2,678€2,390Check ↗
NS Design NXT5a-VN-SB-F Fretted Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$3,014€2,690Check ↗
NS Design WAV4c-OB-AB Omni Bass
4-String Electric Double Basses
$1,815€1,620Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-VN-BK Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$2,622€2,340Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-VN-BK-F Fretted Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$2,734€2,440Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-VN-SB Violin
Electric Violins and Violas
$2,566€2,290Check ↗
NS Design NXT4a-VN-SB-F Violin Fretted
Electric Violins and Violas
$2,846€2,540Check ↗
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.