NS Design CR4 Violin

UK Price £2,555.00 - Inc. 20% VAT
WORLDWIDE PRICE £2,129.17
(1 Review)
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Description

For The Perfect Performance

NS Design's CR Series Violin, available in 4, 5 and 6 string models, with a choice of traditional or fretted fingerboards, has established itself firmly as the preeminent electric violin on the market. Capable of producing everything from a beautiful, pure acoustic tone to a full-tilt electric sound, this radically innovative instrument works in virtually any musical context.

The CR Violin has a remarkable tonal range due to its bridge mounted NS Polar™ pickup system, which is able to selectively capture the string vibration favoured for both arco and pizzicato techniques with stunning brilliance and sensitivity. The violinist who prefers the elegant tone of a fine acoustic will be thrilled with the natural response whilst, for those who wish to explore new sonic territory, the sky really is the limit.

The solid-body NS Violin incorporates the familiar performance features of an acoustic instrument, including a removable body segment to provide the left-hand reference position of a traditional instrument. Traditional string spacing and scale length facilitate the transition from the acoustic instrument to the world of the electric violin. Direct amplification and recording capabilities allow the violinist to experience the vast range of electronic and amplified performance opportunities, yet continue to savor the essence and timeless magic of the violin. Other appointments include an ebony fingerboard and precision 40:1 fine tuners with automatic string clamping, mounted on the body behind the bridge. The included ergonomic foam pad shoulder rest is fully adjustable (up, down, and tilt) for total performance comfort.

Solid Maple Body & Neck

Crafted in the Czech Republic, The NS Violin is constructed of solid maple, with an sumptuous flame maple face. This lightweight solid-body design transfers the full spectrum of sound to the pickup without feedback, and is very stable even with changes in temperature and humidity. The ergonomic shoulder and chin rest provide comfortable, stable support, and a maple bout on the treble side provides standard violin reference and is readily removed for unrestricted neck access. The solid ebony fingerboard is hand graduated for consistent string articulation.

CUSTOM WOODS & FINISHES

For customers who desire something even more special, all CR Series instruments are also available to special order in a choice of gorgeous exotic wood tops or a striking Slate Grey flame maple finish.

QUILTED MAPLE
POPLAR BURL
ZEBRAWOOD
SLATE GREY

NS PATENTED TUNING SYSTEM

Accurate, stable tuners are the key to in-tune performance. The patented self-clamping tuning mechanism automatically grips the string ever more tightly as tension is applied, and the 40:1 micrometer fine tuning is smooth and precise. This "set-it and forget-it" tuning is light-years ahead of the friction tuners found on traditional instruments.

NS Polar™ Pickup System

Advanced NS Polar™ piezo technology, based around a self-powered, bridge-mounted electro-mechanical transducer, eliminates the need for heavy on-board batteries and circuitry. Although technically a passive pickup, it has a higher output than many active systems, providing unsurpassed dynamic range, clarity, and sheer power.

The directional pickup responds selectively to either lateral string vibration (for dynamic bowing), or vertical vibration (for remarkably even and sustained plucked/pizzicato sound, like a mandolin). A switch allows the player to choose the desired response. The resulting sound retains the essential timbres of a fine acoustic violin, but can be easily and endlessly modified — via on-board controls or post-processing — to suit any sonic palette.

Active Electronics FROM EMG™

A dual mode, on-board, EMG 9 volt active preamp allows the player to choose between two very distinct tonal qualities. The first delivers the full frequency response of modern low impedance electronics, for a rich, full-blown "electric" sound, while the second mode is balanced to produce the frequency response of a traditional violin, 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 & treble EQ, all located within easy reach of the right hand so adjustments can be made with the instrument in playing position.

NS VIOLIN STRINGS BY D'ADDARIO™

Developed in partnership with Ned Steinberger and manufactured in the USA specifically for NS electric instruments, these strings are designed to enhance the expressive range of tone for even the most discerning players. Groundbreaking stranded steel core core technology pioneered by D'Addario provides optimum playability and produces a clear, warm tone with fast, flexible, and sensitive bow response.

Custom Shoulder Rest

All NS Violins come equipped as standard with the NS Custom Shoulder Rest which features a malleable, foam-padded aluminum base which can bend and mold to the surface to the chest and shoulder and is designed to be physically formed by the player to fit the body perfectly for maximum playing comfort. In conjunction with the ergonomically contoured ebony chinrest, a wide range of height and angle adjustments can be made while the instrument is in playing position.

For enhanced versatility, NS Violin models also accept the Adjustable Chin Rest which offers a wider range of positions for individual fit, style and comfort, providing entirely new levels of ergonomic support, or the revolutionary NS Balanced Shoulder Rest which replaces both chin and shoulder rests and effectively "floats" the instrument in the desired playing position.

HARDSHELL FITTED CASE INCLUDED

All NS Violins and Violas are supplied complete with a Cordura® covered, form-fitting custom hardshell case with handle and shoulder strap, separate compartments for shoulder rest and accessories, a bow compartment, and an exterior zipper pouch (Loaded weight: approx. 3.2kg / 7lb).

A custom flight case is also available to special order.

Specifications
Construction Straight grain, quarter-sawn, solid European maple body and neck
Finish Flame maple face with traditional amber stain and polymer top coat
Body Reference Bout Black-dyed maple bout on treble side provides standard violin reference, easily removable for unrestricted neck access
Fingerboard Hand graduated ebony with asymmetric relief (fretted 4 and 5 string models also available)
Bridge Black-dyed maple, height adjustable
Pickup NS Polar™ bridge mounted directional piezo pickup system
Electronics 9v active circuit by EMG
HEADPHONE amp Internal headphone amp circuit with 1/8" (3.5mm) mini-jack output for silent practice/self monitoring
Controls 3-way toggle switch for Polar Pickup System (selects pizzicato - arco/electric - arco/acoustic modes) / Rotary volume / Rotary treble and bass cut/boost
Tuning Machines Patented precision 40:1 fine tuners mounted behind the bridge with automatic string clamping for quick, easy string changing
Length 54cm (21.25")
Width 11cm (4.3")
Depth 6.5cm (2.56")
Scale Length 33cm (13")
String Spacing At Nut CR4 16.2mm (0.64") / CR5 21mm (0.83")
String Spacing At Bridge CR4 33.5mm (1.32") / CR5 44mm (1.75")
Weight 720g (25.5oz)
Strings NS Design/D'Addario NS310 Medium tension, stranded steel core / Compatible with any solid and stranded core violin strings
Accessories INCLUDED Contoured ebony chin rest and fully adjustable NS Custom Shoulder Rest
Case INCLUDED Cordura covered, form fitting hard case with bow holder, handle, strap and accessory compartment / Dimensions: 81cm x 21cm x 14cm (32" x 8.5" x 5.5") / Loaded Weight: 3.2kg (7lb)
WOOD/FINISH OPTIONS Quilted maple, poplar burl, zebrawood and Slate Gray finish available to special order
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN New Bohemia Electric Corp., Czech Republic
NS Polar™ Pickup

All NS Design electric concert instruments are equipped with the dual-mode Polar™ Pickup System, a remarkable innovation that allows players to select the direction of response to control attack, sustain, and bow response characteristics. The result is an exciting new dimension in string instrument performance, featuring a rich full sound, powerful dynamics, enhanced bow sensitivity, sustained pizzicato and extended versatility.

As a player, you may not think about the direction your strings are vibrating, or even be aware that string vibrations on a musical instrument are polarized in relation to the fingerboard and the motion of the plectrum and bow. Yet direction is one of the most significant factors influencing the tone and response of a stringed instrument — In fact, instruments from the violin family differ from the lute or guitar in large part due to the effects of string polarization.

The bow drives the string back and forth in the direction of the bow, while at the same time suppressing the up and down vibration. You can see this effect with the naked eye by watching the broad excursion of the lowest strings when bowed. From the front, you can see a wide lateral pattern of string vibration, but looking from the side you can see almost no pattern at all. Instruments in the violin family have a tall bridge which, in combination with an asymmetric support structure of bass bar and sound post, efficiently translates the sideways motion of the bowed string into sound.

The Polar Pickup responds with a high degree of lateral sensitivity and vertical rejection that is specifically tailored to mirror the polarity of the bowed string. The result is a remarkably dynamic, rich tone that responds effortlessly to the bow.

The system also takes this concept one step further, being able to switch from lateral to vertical sensitivity, which is ideal for pizzicato. Unlike the violin, a flat top guitar or lute responds in the vertical direction, minimising the plucked attack and storing energy for longer sustain. In the vertical mode the attack is controlled for a sustained, singing pizzicato response. The lateral mode has the opposite effect, and the plucked response is extraordinarily percussive, like a traditional bowed instrument, only more so. This dual capacity allows the player to control attack and decay, adding limitless new expressive potential to the violin family.

On EU and CR Series instruments, active bass and treble EQ controls combine with the Polar Pickup to provide tremendous tonal range. Additional magnetic pickups, switching and associated pre-amp circuitry vary from model to model.

Customer Reviews
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1 Review:

Great violin
Rating:
15 February 2023  | 

I got very quickly, great price $1,500 - the price dearer in Australia, taxes were good too.