NS Design Nxta - Electric Double Bass Black (5 Strings)
Estimated Shipping Widget will be displayed here!
- This item is covered for 3 years
What you need to know
What you need to know
- "Double Bass" Feel in an Electric Format: design conceived to retain familiar playing references while gaining compactness and comfort.
- NS Polar Piezo System Under the Bridge: finely captures attack, tone, and dynamics, with a dedicated sensitivity adjustment for "Arco" / "Pizzicato".
- Active or Passive Mode: active circuit powered by a capacitor (very fast recharge) to easily drive various input types, or passive operation via high-impedance input / direct box.
- Complete Equipment for Playing and Transporting: includes gig bag and tripod stand, adjustable height bridge, adjustable truss rod.
Manufacturer Information
Ns Design
https://www.thinkNS.com
info@nedsteinberger.com
------------------------
Safety manager:
HIGH TECH DISTRIBUTION
Email: pro@htd.fr
Address:
NS Design and the NXTa Series: The Ned Steinberger Spirit, Accessible and Modern
Founded in 1990 by award-winning instrument designer Ned Steinberger, NS Design develops electric instruments where technology serves musicality without abandoning the fundamentals of "traditional" playing. The NXTa series embodies this philosophy: offering a quality electric double bass designed for bassists who want a reliable, expressive, and well-crafted instrument with a more controlled budget. The idea is not to replace the acoustic double bass but to provide a coherent alternative for stage, studio, rehearsals, and travel.
Who This NXTa Is For and the Styles It Excels In
The NS Design NXTa is aimed at beginner to intermediate double bassists who want to switch to electric without losing their bearings, as well as experienced musicians seeking a practical instrument for amplified concerts. Its compact format and piezo pickup system make it especially relevant for jazz (walking bass, dynamic pizzicato), pop, and contemporary music, but also for bowed contexts (film music, arrangements, orchestral passages) thanks to the dedicated "Arco" / "Pizzicato" setting. It is also a very appreciated solution when space constraints, transport limitations, or feedback risks on stage need to be minimized.
Sound
The core of the sonic character of this electric double bass relies on the NS Polar System piezo pickup, based on special piezo crystals mounted under the bridge. This position allows capturing a large part of the vibrational information generated by the strings and transmitted to the instrument: attack, sustain, nuances, and articulation. Since vibrational energy distributes differently depending on whether you play Arco or Pizzicato, a side switch allows selecting the sensitivity best suited to your playing, enhancing naturalness, presence, and control.
The NXTa also offers active/passive operation. In active mode, the electronics are powered by a capacitor: a charge of about 60 seconds via the supplied charger provides approximately 16 hours of autonomy, after which the instrument can be plugged directly into low or high impedance devices. The result: a stronger signal with bass frequencies remaining clear and a more consistent response, even with long cables. In passive mode, the NXTa remains usable, provided a high-impedance input or an appropriate direct box is used to maintain spectral balance and dynamics.
Finally, the lutherie choices contribute to touch and stability: maple body and neck for a crisp response and good stability, ebony fingerboard for precise contact under the fingers. The height-adjustable bridge helps adjust the action according to your technique (powerful pizzicato, fast playing, bowing), and the adjustable truss rod facilitates overall neck adjustment.
Technical specifications
| Format | 4/4 | Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Nbr of strings | 5 | Color | Black |
| Top | Maple | ||
| Body | maple | Pickup | NS Polar System piezo (mounted under the bridge) |
| Neck | maple, traditional straight shape, with easier access to the upper register | Switch | Arco / Pizzicato sensitivity selection |
| Position markers | "cascade" dot pattern on the neck for precise position reference | Modes | active / passive (active powered by capacitor, fast recharge via supplied charger) |
| Truss rod | adjustable | Measurements | length 132 cm, width 15 cm, thickness 10 cm |
| Bridge | height adjustable | Weight | 4.8 kg |
| Strings | 5 D'Addario strings | Origin | Czech Republic |
You will also like
NS Design
Nxta - Electric Double Bass Sunburst (5 Strings)
NS Design
Nxta - Electric Double Bass Sunburst (4 Strings)
NS Design
Nxta - Electric Double Bass Left-Handed Black (4 Strings)
NS Design
Nxta - Left-Handed Electric Double Bass Sunburst (4 Strings)
NS Design
Nxta - Electric Double Bass Black (4 Strings)
Yamaha
SILENT DOUBLE BASS SLB300
Gewa
3/4 DOUBLE BASS IDEALE
Gewa
3/4 DOUBLE BASS IDEALE
Questions frequently asked
Is the NS Design NXTa 5-string suitable for bow playing?
The NS Polar System piezo pickup features a side switch for Arco / Pizzicato, designed to adapt the pickup sensitivity to the playing technique used. The ebony fingerboard and height-adjustable bridge allow for touch adjustment according to bow playing. The cascade markers on the neck facilitate positioning.
What is the battery life of the active electronics?
In active mode, a charge of about 60 seconds using the supplied charger provides approximately 16 hours of battery life. The power supply is based on a capacitor and allows connection to low or high impedance inputs.
Can it operate without a charge?
The passive mode remains usable with a high impedance input or a suitable direct box. This configuration preserves the balance of the spectrum and the dynamics of the piezo pickup under the bridge.
What are the dimensions and weight of this electric double bass?
With a length of 132 cm, width of 15 cm, and thickness of 10 cm, this model features a compact format. Its weight is 4.8 kg.
What materials and lutherie adjustments are present?
The body and neck are made of maple, while the fingerboard is ebony. An adjustable tension rod and a height-adjustable bridge are integrated. The instrument is strung with five DâAddario strings.
