NS Design CR - Electric Cello (5 Strings)

The CR Series: NS Design's Approach Between Cello Tradition and Innovation

Founded in 1990 by instrument designer Ned Steinberger, NS Design develops electric instruments where ergonomics and engineering serve musical expression. In this spirit, the CR series offers an electric cello with a unique design: a reduced body and solid construction that free the player from acoustic constraints while retaining essential reference points of the traditional cello. The goal is clear: to provide a reliable instrument, consistent from one concert to another, capable of covering a wide sonic spectrum, from "acoustic" realism to more modern colors.

Who It's For and In Which Contexts This Electric Cello Excels

This 5-string electric cello is aimed at intermediate to advanced cellists seeking a high-performance instrument for amplification, whether in the studio or live settings. Its compact format and extended access to high registers are particularly appreciated for repertoires demanding high positions, improvisation, or contemporary arrangements.

Style-wise, it performs well in jazz, pop, rock, contemporary music, film scores, and electro-acoustic projects. Thanks to its stability and consistent response, it is also suitable for musicians who alternate between rehearsals, travel, and gigs, and who want a reliable foundation to build their sound.

Sound Characteristics

The solid body construction, combined with a European maple body featuring a flamed maple top, promotes a direct sound with sustain and brightness, while limiting sensitivity to environmental changes. The maple neck with a traditional profile and the hand-graded ebony fingerboard contribute to a precise tactile feel, useful for sharp attacks and intonation, especially on a 5-string setup.

The core of the tonal character comes from the Polar piezo bridge pickup system, capable of capturing vibration along two axes. In lateral mode, the response highlights nuance and articulation related to bowing gestures, with fine sensitivity to pressure and speed variations. In vertical mode, the output favors very clear fingerstyle playing, with notes that "speak" quickly in pizzicato.

The bi-preamp electronics allow choosing between two philosophies: a full response mode (active low-impedance electronics) for a rich and ample sound, and a mixed mode aiming for a response closer to a traditional cello. A three-position switch controls pickup/electronics selection, complemented by volume and bass /treble EQ controls, enabling a shift from a warm, woody tone to a more cutting presence in the mix.

Technical specifications

Format	4/4	Fingerboard	Ebony
Nbr of strings	5	Color	Brown
Top	Solid Spruce

Type	electric cello (solid body)	Neck	maple, traditional shape
Strings	5-string	Tuning	low F, C, G, D, A
Register access	compact body for easier access to the upper register	Pickups	piezo, Polar bridge pickup system
Dimensions	length 94 cm	Electronics	volume control
Weight	2.5 kg	Output	mono
Body	European maple with flamed maple top	Origin	Czech Republic