NS Design CR4 Cello

List Price:  £3,035.00

UK Price:  £2,925.00 Inc. 20% VAT
Worldwide Price: £2,437.50
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Delivery:  Free Shipping to UK / Selected EU Countries

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  (1 Review)

THE ULTIMATE ELECTRIC CELLO

Available with 4, 5 or 6 strings, the NS Design CR Series Cello is a truly remarkable instrument capable of producing the delicate and precise tones of its acoustic parent, as well as creating exciting new sounds through the endlessly versatile tone shaping geometry of its innovative NS Polar™ piezo pickup system.

Solid Maple Body & Neck

The CR Cello is crafted from European maple, with a flame maple face. This solid-body design provides structural stability and resistance to changes in temperature and humidity and develops a rich, multi-dimensional tone free from the constraints inherent in an acoustic instrument. The traditional cello scale length and neck shape have a familiar feel while the compact body allows full access to the upper register. A brass escutcheon pin on the rear of the neck serves as a reference point corresponding to the heel of an acoustic cello.

NS Polar™ Pickup

The NS Cello features the NS Polar bridge-mounted piezo pickup system. The Polar pickups can sense either vertical or lateral string vibration. Set in the vertical mode, plucked notes are remarkably even and sustained. In the lateral mode, the pickup has unparalleled sensitivity in the direction of the bow, with more attack when plucked. Attack and decay can be effectively controlled with the Polar pickup system.

Ebony Fingerboard

The solid ebony fingerboard is graduated for each string for ideal playing action. Cascading dot markers provide an attractive and precise reference for fingering and intonation.

Active EMG Electronics

The dual mode preamp allows the player to choose between two very distinct tone qualities. The first mode delivers the full frequency response of modern low impedance electronics, for a rich, full-blown "electric" sound. The second is balanced to produce the frequency response of the traditional cello, for a more "acoustic" sound. A 3-way toggle switch allows the player to select the desired pickup and electronics options. Additional controls include volume and individual bass EQ & treble EQ controls.

In addition, the NS Cello features an internal headphone amp circuit with mini-jack output, allowing for silent practice or self-monitoring.

Strings

The use of standard cello strings and scale length establishes a familiar starting point for the cellists journey to the electric world. From there, anything goes. The energetic response of the NS Cello can be tamed to deliver a traditional cello tone, or set loose to explore new territory.

TUNING

4 string — C-G-D-A / 5 string — Low F-C-G-D-A (C-G-D-A-High E also available by request) / 6 string — F-C-G-D-A-E

Interchangeable Support Systems

The NS Cello, as with all of Ned Steinberger's concert instrument designs, features a common mount that allows the use of a range of interchangeable support systems, to suit any playing style, in any performance environment.

Tripod Stand — Supplied as standard equipment, the CR Tripod Stand provides stable support, with full height and tilt adjustment. The stand folds down to fit in the gig bag.

End Pin Stand — An optional End Pin Stand offers the cellist a more traditional position, similar to that of an acoustic instrument. Using the additional NS End Pin Stand Conversion Kit, the End Pin Stand can be attached to the Tripod Stand to hold the instrument upright for on-stand performance or when not in use.

Cello End Pin Stand — Provides the traditional cello points of contact and position, and is the best choice for cellists who have an animated style of playing while seated, or who play the instrument at a more horizontal angle.

Frame Strap System — A light frame structure is supported by a single guitar style strap extending over the left shoulder,  holding the cello in the correct position for both pizzicato and arco styles, whilst allowing full mobility with amazing comfort.

Transport

The CR Series Cello is supplied with a sturdy, nylon gig bag with handle and shoulder strap featuring a padded inner case for the instrument and a zipper pouch for the tripod stand. It also has a bow compartment and storage pocket with room for accessories. Measuring only 99cm (39") long and 18cm (7") in diameter, and weighing 5kg (11lb) with the instrument and tripod stand, the bag will fit in the overhead luggage compartment of most commercial aircraft.

An optional aluminium edged flight case is also available, measuring 136cm x 28cm x 27cm (53.5" x 11" x 10.5") / Weight 22.2kg (49lb), fully loaded with instrument & tripod stand.

Construction Solid, straight grain rock maple body, neck & peghead
Finish Flame maple face with traditional amber stain and polymer top coat
Fingerboard Ebony, with asymmetric profile and cascading dot reference pattern
Bridge Pickup NS Polar™ directional piezo pick-up system
Electronics 18 volt active circuit by EMG, mono output
Controls Volume control / Switch for Polar pickup balance (between pizzicato/arco modes) / Treble EQ / Bass EQ
Headphone Amp Internal headphone amp circuit with 1/8" (3.5mm) headphone mini-jack for silent practice/self monitoring
Truss Rod Neck relief is adjustable above the nut located with hex wrench
Tuning Machines Schaller 18:1 ratio, fully encased worm gear tuners, black finish
Length 94cm (37")
Width 14cm (5.5")
Thickness 9.5cm (3.75")
Weight 2.5kg (5.5lb)
Scale Length 69.5cm (27.36")
String Spacing at Nut CR4: 2.4cm (0.94") — CR5: 3.0 cm (1.18") — CR6: 3.3 cm (1.3")
String Spacing at Bridge CR4: 4.8cm (1.9") — CR5: 6.1 cm (2.4") — CR6: 7.1 cm (2.8")
Strings NS Design/D'Addario NS510 medium tension, stranded steel core
Stand Braced steel, fully adjustable, standing tripod design / Weight: 3.2kg (7lb)
Gig Bag Nylon gig bag with handle and shoulder strap, padded inner instrument case + compartments for stand, bow and accessories / Dimensions: 99cm (39") long x 18 cm (7") diameter / Loaded weight: approx. 5kg (11lb) inc. stand
Average Rating (1 Review):  
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Rating:  
Impressive Sound & Playability
04 May 2015  | 

Very convincing cello sound. Easier to play than my acoustic cello (I think that's because there are no natural resonances to fight against). Slight disappointment that the finish lacks the brightness of the catalogue photos, but a bit of wax polish may remedy that. Much, much, better (for sound and for noise-free electronics) than a Yamaha that I tried recently. Overall, I'm very pleased with it.