The NXTa Cello opens up a brand new horizon for the serious cellist looking to play a superb electric instrument on a limited budget. These instruments, available in 4 & 5 string formats, with traditional and fretted fingerboards and a choice of Black Satin or Sunburst finishes, are crafted in the Czech Republic by the makers of the renowned NS Design CR Series and exemplify flawless workmanship and incredible value.
Adaptable to a nearly limitless range of music styles, the NXTa Cello brings unprecedented affordability to the player interested in world-class design, craftsmanship and performance. With cutting edge battery-free, dual mode onboard electronics and a visual appearance a striking as its sound, this supremely roadworthy instrument is an exciting and reliable partner for the most demanding performance career.
The solid, straight grain maple body and neck, together with the hand graduated ebony fingerboard, deliver a rich, full tone that rings true for every note. Asymmetrical fingerboard relief provides extraordinary ease of playability from the lowest to the highest positions. To suit individual player preferences, the fingerboard relief can be adjusted via the truss rod in the neck, and the string height is readily adjustable at the bridge.
An escutcheon pin on the neck, corresponding to the location of the heel on an acoustic cello, is standard; a more conventional wooden neck heel is also available for installation.
Pizzicato and arco techniques have almost unlimited expressive potential, thanks to the NS Design Polar™ Pickup System... Two separate mounted transducers beneath the bridge offer unlimited expressive potential and powerful dynamics. With each pickup specialized for a specific task, a convenient switch gives you the choice to select a traditional arco mode for percussive attack and a dynamic bowed response, or the pizzicato mode for a smooth, sustained tone.
All NXTa series instruments feature battery-free, high performance active electronics with new capacitor-powered custom circuitry designed by Mi-Si™ Electronics Design, taking convenience, versatility and performance capability to an even higher level.
Active ModeUsing the supplied charger, the NXTa connects into any AC outlet for 60 seconds, powering 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 ModeThe NXTa can be played in this mode when using a direct box or an amplifier with high impedance input. This mode provides performance capabilities identical to the original NXT.
Eco-Friendly OperationNXTa instruments are battery-free, eliminating the hassle and cost of batteries while helping protect our environment.
Designed in partnership with Ned Steinberger, D'Addario NS electric Cello strings are designed to enhance the expressive range of tone for even the most discerning player. In combination with the easy adjustment of basic set-up parameters, the NXTa Series Cello is adaptable to a nearly limitless range of music styles.
4 String — C-G-D-A / 5 String — F-C-G-D-A (C-G-D-A-E available by request) / 6 string (CR Series Only) — F-C-G-D-A-E
WAV/NXT Cello Tripod StandLightweight black painted tubular steel construction. Fully adjustable for a wide range of playing styles, this cello specific variant is shorter than the equivalent WAV/NXT Double Bass stand to better facilitate seated performance. Folds for easy storage and fits into the supplied gig bag (weight is 2.7kg/6lb).
WAV/NXT Gig BagA ylon gig bag, with carry handle and shoulder strap, has a padded inner case for the instrument and a zipper pouch for the tripod stand as well as a bow compartment and storage pocket with room for charger and accessories.
Dimensions: 99cm (39") long x 18cm (7") in diameter. Loaded weight is 5kg (11lb) including stand. The compact gig bag fits in the overhead luggage compartment of most commercial aircraft.
Traditional Cello End Pin StandProvides 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.
CR End Pin StandOffers full freedom of movement. Height, tilt and "right bout" angle are fully adjustable providing a more conventional feel.
CR Tripod StandProvides ultra-stable hesupport for both the NS Cello and Double Bass with full height and tilt adjustments allowing the player to select the ideal position, seated or standing, vertical or horizontal. Folds for storage and fits in the NS gig bag.
End Pin Conversion KitAttaches the NS CR End Pin Stand to the CR Series Tripod Stand to hold the instrument upright for on-stand performance or when not in use.
Frame Strap SystemAllows the cellist to stand up with full mobility for a new experience of freedom and expression.
Cello ThumbstopProvides accurate intonation in higher positions by simulating the heel of the neck on an acoustic bass/cello and is a great aid for fast playing. It is crafted from solid maple, lacquered with an amber satin finish, and includes a 3M™ adhesive pad for ease in attaching to the desired position on the neck of the instrument.
Custom Flight CaseAluminum edged plywood measuring 136cm x 28cm x 27cm (53.5" x 11" x 10.5") with loaded weight of approximately 18kg (40lb) including tripod stand.
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.
A nice electric cello, beautifully made and seems to work. Too soon to comment on its sound quality but early indications are very favourable. The Bass Centre were very helpful and the unit all packed and delivered quickly. Thank you.
