The NXT violin, 4 or 5 string, standard or fretted, opens up a new horizon for the serious musician seeking to play a world-class electric violin on a limited budget. These instruments, crafted in the Czech Republic by the makers of NS Design’s renowned CR series, exemplify flawless workmanship at an incredible value.
Light weight and perfect balance are critical performance factors for any electric violin, and the NXT Series tops the charts as one of the lightest electric violins on the market. Weighing in at 585 grams (610 grams for the NXT5), the NXT pioneers special carving techniques to reduce the weight of the maple body, while preserving extraordinary rigidity and striking good looks. Ultralight tail-mounted tuners allow precise adjustment, easy string changes, and keep the balance point of the instrument close to the shoulder for maximum comfort.
Additional weight is saved by advanced piezo technology that eliminates the need for heavy on-board batteries and circuitry. The self-powered Polar™ electromechanical transducer, technically referred to as a passive pickup, is anything but passive, with higher output than most active systems. The result is unsurpassed dynamic range, clarity, and sheer power. The dual mode Polar pickup responds to both lateral string vibration for bowing, and vertical vibration for pizzicato playing. (A body-mounted two-way switch lets the player change modes easily.) The resulting sound retains the essential timbres of a fine acoustic violin, but is easily modified via on-board controls or post-processing, to suit almost any sonic palette.
As adaptable as it is powerful, the NXT adjusts easily to any violinist’s style. A contoured ebony chin rest is standard. So is the Custom Shoulder Rest which is fully adjustable, and whose base can be readily formed to fit the chest and shoulder perfectly. The optional Adjustable Chin Rest is also available for players wanting a more extensive range of position adjustments for further customized fit and comfort. The NXT also accepts NS Design’s revolutionary Balanced Shoulder Rest, which secures it effortlessly in optimal playing position. Using set screws, the rock-maple bridge can be readily adjusted to the desired action height—high and powerful, low and fast, or anywhere in between.
NS Electric Strings and all other traditional violin strings fit NS violins, allowing the player to select from many different string options, each with a unique sound and feel.
Specifications
LENGTH: 540 MM (21.25″)
WIDTH: 110 MM (4 5/16″)
THICKNESS: 65 MM (2 9/16″)
WEIGHT:
4 string: 585g
5 string: 610g
SCALE LENGTH: 330 MM (13″)
BODY/NECK: Solid, straight grain maple, with maple face (Black model) or flame maple face (Sunburst model) on body.
BODY REFERENCE BOUT: Black-dyed maple bout on treble side provides standard violin reference. Easily removable for unrestricted neck access.
FINGERBOARD: Hand-graduated, asymmetric relief. NXT violins are also available with fretted fingerboards.
BRIDGE: Black-dyed maple, height adjustable via screws on back of body.
STRINGS: NS Electric Strings standard. Compatible with standard violin strings.
PRECISION TUNING HARDWARE: 40:1 fine tuners are mounted on the body behind the bridge for precise, stable tuning. Automatic string clamping allows for quick, easy string changes.
PICKUP: The Polar directional piezo pickup system responds selectively to either lateral string vibration (for dynamic bowing) or vertical string vibration (for remarkably even and sustained plucked/pizzicato sound, like a mandolin). A switch allows the player to choose the desired response.
ELECTRONICS & CONTROLS: Passive circuit with high impedance output, no batteries required. Volume control and Tone control (treble roll off).
PERFORMANCE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
SHOULDER AND CHIN REST OPTIONS: The Custom Shoulder Rest is a standard with the NXT Violin and can be formed by the player to fit the body perfectly. As an option, the violin can also attach to NS Design’s revolutionary Balanced Shoulder Rest, which “floats” the instrument in the desired playing position without being “clamped” between the jaw and the shoulder.
The contoured ebony chin rest supplied with the instrument is designed to work comfortably in tandem with the Custom Shoulder Rest. The optional Adjustable Chin Rest is also available for players wanting a more extensive range of position adjustments for more customized fit and comfort.
VIOLIN CADDY: Designed to cradle NS Design violins, the Violin Caddy unit mounts to any mic stand and provides the player with ready-to-grab convenience, in the studio or on the stage. Four rubberized arms are positioned to match the unique contours of the NS violin, while a cutaway on the back plate allows the instrument cable to remain attached if desired. The caddy also features a hook for the bow. Attaches to the mic stand with a standard 5/8 inch thread. Weight .2 kg (.5 lb).
TRANSPORT
NS VIOLIN CASE: Customized for the NS Violin, this standard hardshell case with handle and shoulder strap includes separate compartments for shoulder rest and accessories, a bow compartment and exterior zipper pouch. Made with durable Cordura® fabric, 3.2 kg (7 lb) loaded weight.
FLIGHT CASE: Plywood, aluminum sided. 6.3 kg (14 lb) loaded weight. Padded, form fitting interior. Holds bows, shoulder rest, output cable, and extra gear, with lock and key.
About the new NXTa pickup
The new dual mode signal output electronics of the NXTa take the convenience, versatility and performance capability of the original NXT to another level.
Active Mode – Using the supplied charger, plug the NXT into any AC outlet for 60 seconds to power the capacitor-powered active circuit for up to 16 hours of performance time. The instrument can then be plugged straight into any low or high impedance device, no direct box necessary. Since there is no signal loss over the full-frequency spectrum of the instrument, the fundamentals of every note remain clear and strong, even with extra-long cables.
Passive Mode – The NXTa can be played in this mode when using a direct box or an amplifier with high impedance input. (This mode provides perfomance capabilities identical to the original NXT.)
Eco-Friendly Operation – NXTa instruments are battery-free, eliminating the hassle and cost of batteries while helping protect our environment
