NS Design
NS Design is a privately held Nobleboro, Maine-based manufacturer of electric string instruments (violins, violas, cellos, basses) founded in 1990 by Ned Steinberger, selling primarily direct-to-consumer worldwide via thinkns.com with a global dealer network and premium-tiered product lineup.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersNobleboro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What NS Design does
NS Design is a privately held boutique manufacturer of electric string instruments, founded in 1990 by designer Ned Steinberger and headquartered in Nobleboro, Maine (with US distribution at 134 Back Meadow Rd.). The company's portfolio spans electric violins, violas, cellos, Omni basses, electric upright basses, RADIUS bass guitars, and the FIN series — organized across three primary tiers: CR (premium), NXT/NXTa (mid-range), and WAV (entry-level). Its core technical differentiation rests on three proprietary systems: the Polar directional piezo pickup (selectively responsive to bowing vs. pizzicato vibration), the patented headless self-clamping tuning mechanism (US Patent 6,528,710), and battery-free active electronics powered by Mi-Si supercapacitor circuitry that charges in 60 seconds for 16 hours of operation. Additional differentiation comes from the Coform fingerboard (a maple/acrylic composite introduced in 2017) and the TransRadius fingerboard profile. Manufacturing for the NXTa series is outsourced to Czech Republic luthiers, while EMG supplies custom magnetic pickups for the Omni Bass and RADIUS guitars.
The business model is primarily direct-to-consumer e-commerce via thinkns.com, supplemented by a global dealer network and dedicated US/Canadian and international export sales teams. Instruments retail from approximately $862 (demo) to $10,000 (collectible prototypes), with new instruments generally ranging $1,600–$7,400 and B-stock offering 30–55% discounts. The company also sells a full accessories ecosystem (bows, cases, stands, shoulder rests, strap systems, chargers) and branded merchandise. Customer segments are weighted toward professional and gigging musicians, music educators and students, and cross-genre players exploring jazz, metal, and classical crossover, with a stable roster of high-profile artist endorsers (Les Claypool, Tony Levin, Sting, Eddie Van Halen, Geddy Lee, Laurie Anderson, David Darling). The company maintains a recent five-year licensing contract with Gibson for the Steinberger guitar/bass line, separate from its NS-branded business.
NS Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NS Design
- Legal name
- NS Design
- Website
- https://thinkns.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- NS Design is a privately held Nobleboro, Maine-based manufacturer of electric string instruments (violins, violas, cellos, basses) founded in 1990 by Ned Steinberger, selling primarily direct-to-consumer worldwide via thinkns.com with a global dealer network and premium-tiered product lineup.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NS Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric String Instruments
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (459140), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (45914)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instrument & Pro Audio Retail (Online/Brick-and-Mortar) (MPAIAJAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Instrument Accessories & Consumables Retail (Strings, Reeds, Sticks, Cables) (CRALAEAE)
Keywords
Where NS Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nobleboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NS Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Instrument Sales: NS Design generates primary revenue through direct sales of electric string instruments including violins, violas, cellos, Omni Basses, electric upright basses, and RADIUS bass guitars across multiple series (CR, NXT, NXTa, WAV).
- Accessories and Support Systems: Sales of bows, cases, flight cases, shoulder rests, chin rests, end pin stands, tripod stands, strap systems, thumbstops, and chargers.
- Demo and B-Stock Instruments: Sales of demo instruments, B-stock items with cosmetic imperfections, and prototype/collectable instruments at discounted prices.
- Merchandise: Sales of branded merchandise including t-shirts, caps, and knit caps.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Premium CR Series - Highest quality materials and craftsmanship, 5-year warranty |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NXT/NXTa Series - Excellent value Czech craftsmanship, 3-year warranty |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | WAV Series - Entry-level with passive electronics, 2-year warranty |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | B-Stock and Demo Instruments - Discounted prices due to cosmetic conditions |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Prototype and Collectible Instruments - Unique or early production pieces |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Support Systems and Accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
NS Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NS Design manufactures and sells electric string instruments including violins, violas, cellos, Omni Basses, electric upright basses, and RADIUS bass guitars, organized into CR (premium), NXTa (dual-mode active/passive), and WAV (entry-level) series. The company also produces complementary accessories such as bows, shoulder rests, chin rests, flight cases, tripod and end pin stands, strap systems, thumbstops, and chargers, along with branded merchandise.
Product overview
NS Design is a boutique manufacturer of electric string instruments founded by Ned Steinberger in 1990, specializing in electric bowed instruments including violins, violas, cellos, and upright basses. The product portfolio is organized into multiple series: CR Series (premium), NXTa Series (dual-mode active/passive electronics), WAV Series (passive electronics), and RADIUS Bass Guitars (headless design). The company also offers comprehensive accessories including shoulder rests, chin rests, bows, flight cases, stands, and strap systems, as well as merchandise. All instruments feature the proprietary Polar directional piezo pickup system. NS Design instruments are crafted with attention to ergonomics and are known for their lightweight construction and innovative headless tuning systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NS Design Electric Violin Electric violin with Polar directional piezo pickup system, available in CR (premium), NXTa (dual-mode active/passive), and WAV (entry-level passive) series variants. Designed for professional and gigging musicians seeking amplified performance, studio recording, and silent practice capabilities.
- NS Design Electric Viola Electric viola with Polar directional piezo pickup system, available in CR, NXTa, and WAV series variants. Designed for amplified performance across genres including classical, jazz, and crossover.
- NS Design Electric Cello Electric cello with Polar bridge-mounted piezo pickup system responding selectively to vertical and lateral string vibration for plucked and bowed sounds, available in CR, NXTa, and WAV series. Eliminates feedback and wolf tones common in acoustic cellos.
- NS Design Omni Bass Electric bass combining upright bass performance characteristics with bass guitar fingering, featuring both Polar piezo pickup and EMG magnetic pickups. Available in CR, NXTa, and WAV series variants.
- NS Design Electric Upright Bass Electric upright bass with Polar pickup system and passive electronics, available in EU, CR-M, CR-T, NXTa, and WAV series variants. Designed for bassists seeking amplified upright bass performance with reduced feedback.
- NS Design RADIUS Bass Guitar Electric bass guitar with headless neck and body configuration, NS self-clamping tuning system, custom EMG magnetic pickups, and dual mode output electronics. Available in CR, NXTa, and WAV series variants with TransRadius fingerboard profile.
- NS Design Balanced Shoulder Rest Shoulder rest using lever physics to counterbalance instrument weight, featuring flexible weighted aluminum arm and adjustable connecting screws. Designed for violin and viola players.
- NS Violin Bow Composite violin bow with carbon and performance fibers, ebony frogs, and nickel-silver fittings. Designed for electric violin players seeking reliable, durable bow performance.
- NS Design Violin/Viola Flight Case Aluminum edged plywood flight case with foam interior, 88cm length, approximately 13kg loaded weight. Designed for traveling violin/viola musicians needing airline-checkable instrument protection.
- NS Cello Tripod Stand Black painted steel tripod stand with adjustable height, folds for storage. Designed for standing performance with electric cellos.
- NS Design Boomerang Strap System Strap system with two support arms and pivoting friction hub for cello, omni bass, and bass with instant adjustment for bow and pizzicato technique. Designed for standing performance mobility.
- NXTa Charger AC/DC Mi-Si adapter for NXTa series instruments, charges supercapacitor circuit in 60 seconds for up to 16 hours of active output. Enables battery-free operation of NXTa active electronics.
- NS Design Baseball Cap Embroidered cotton twill cap with NS Design logo. Branded merchandise for NS Design customers and fans.
Quantifiable outcome
- Instruments weigh as light as 585 grams (violin)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use NS Design
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
NS Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
NS Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Gibson Musical InstrumentsminorGibson purchased Steinberger Sound Corporation from Ned Steinberger in 1986. Ned stayed as a design consultant and maintains ongoing relationship. Gibson produces Steinberger guitars and basses under license. In recent years, Ned signed a new 5-year contract with Gibson and Steinberger.
- D'AddariocoreD'Addario supplies NS Electric Strings for instruments. NS instruments are compatible with standard D'Addario strings. Also collaborated with D'Addario on electronic tuners, tuning hardware, and accessories.
- Czech Republic Instrument MakerscoreNXTa series instruments are crafted in the Czech Republic by the makers of the renowned CR Series, exemplifying flawless workmanship at exceptional value.
- EMG (Electronics Manufacturing Services)coreEMG provides magnetic pickup systems for NS Omni Bass and US4 violin instruments. Custom NS/EMG pickups designed for optimal tone capture.
- Mi-SicoreMi-Si provides supercapacitor-based circuitry for NXTa Series instruments. Battery-free active mode electronics charge in 60 seconds for 16 hours of performance.
- Stuart Spector / Spector BassesminorNed Steinberger designed the Spector NS bass guitar in 1976 at the Brooklyn Woodworkers Co-op with Stuart Spector. This bass remains a cornerstone for Spector's bass line and established Ned's reputation in instrument design.
- David Gage / The RealistminorNed collaborates with David Gage of New York City on development of The Realist transducer for acoustic string instruments.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
NS Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Zeta Music Systems: Zeta pioneered modern electric violins and continues to produce electric violin/viola/cello systems, making it a direct category competitor to NS Design's electric bowed instruments.
- Yamaha: Yamaha's Silent Series (electric violins, violas, and cellos) directly competes with NS Design across the same bowed electric string category, targeting professional, education, and silent-practice segments with a globally distributed product line.
- Bridge String Instruments: Bridge makes electric upright basses and double basses that compete head-on with NS Design's EUB and Omni Bass lines for the professional electric bass market.
- Mark Wood Custom String Instruments: Mark Wood builds electric violins and violas and is one of the few boutique US makers competing directly with NS Design in the electric bowed-string artist market.
Broad incumbents
- Fishman: Fishman is the dominant pickup/transducer maker for acoustic stringed instruments and competes in adjacent transducer/amplification territory where NS Design's Polar piezo and Omni Bass dual-pickup system operate.
- Warwick: Warwick manufactures premium electric bass guitars and basses that compete with NS Design's RADIUS Bass Guitar in the high-end electric bass market.
- Fender: Fender is the dominant electric bass guitar manufacturer and competes with NS Design's RADIUS Bass Guitar at the entry and mid-tier levels of the electric bass market.
- Gibson / Steinberger: Gibson owns the Steinberger brand since 1986 and produces Steinberger headless guitars and basses under license, overlapping with NS Design's RADIUS Bass Guitar and headless-design heritage.
- Spector Bass: Spector produces electric bass guitars originating from the 1976 Spector/NS bass design that Ned Steinberger co-created, making it a historically and product-line adjacent peer in premium electric basses.
Others
- David Gage / The Realist: David Gage's Realist pickup is an acoustic instrument transducer with which Ned Steinberger has a collaboration relationship, representing an adjacent ecosystem participant in the acoustic-electric pickup space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NS Design social profiles
Digital presenceNS Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NS Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
NS Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NS Design M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NS Design
What does NS Design do?
NS Design manufactures and sells electric string instruments including violins, violas, cellos, Omni Basses, electric upright basses, and RADIUS bass guitars, organized into CR (premium), NXTa (dual-mode active/passive), and WAV (entry-level) series. The company also produces complementary accessories such as bows, shoulder rests, chin rests, flight cases, tripod and end pin stands, strap systems, thumbstops, and chargers, along with branded merchandise.
Is NS Design a public or private company?
NS Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was NS Design founded?
NS Design was founded in 1990. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is NS Design based?
NS Design is headquartered in Nobleboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does NS Design make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Instrument Sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories and Support Systems, demo and B-Stock Instruments and merchandise.
Who are NS Design's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Zeta Music Systems, Yamaha, Bridge String Instruments and Mark Wood Custom String Instruments. Broad incumbents are Fishman, Warwick, Fender, Gibson / Steinberger and Spector Bass. David Gage / The Realist is listed as an others.
Does NS Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for NS Design.
What industry is NS Design in?
NS Design's product category is Electric String Instruments. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAH, Instrument & Pro Audio Retail (Online/Brick-and-Mortar), with a secondary code of CRALAEAE, Instrument Accessories & Consumables Retail (Strings, Reeds, Sticks, Cables). Its NAICS code is 339992 and its SIC code is 3931.