Thank you for your video. I've been debating between the two for months and it sucks there is so little help online to choose. I'm very grateful for people like you.
Ever since I've heard of the NS Design electric cello, I've been wanting to get one and I don't even already know how to play cello. Been learning bass guitar and grew up playing low brass yet always wanted to learn cello and/or double bass as well.
But also to note: usability is a big issue, but if someone is judging based on overall tone, its the IR that ultimately makes a difference. Yamaha has enough built-in electronics that you might not want to go further than that, for practice. But if you're going to step beyond that -- as you noted -- the quality of the sound becomes less decisive. Disclosure: I have a 5-string NS Design CR and a 6-string fretted Cobra ... so yeah, maybe I'm biased.
What impacted my review the most was the hum from the wiring, especially when using battery power. And the fact the 2 AA batteries are not loud enough for headphone practice, and using the built-in effects drains the batteries quickly, also makes the NS more user friendly. I will apprehend the SVC of cello pop stars are heavily modified to sound better.
Great review, Jonathan. You are great, thank you for that, at the end of the video I felt I needed to hug you for taking your time and teaching us so patiently about e-cellos! Your voice is so calming and your explanation is so clear. I have a few questions though... Do you feel that playing the NS design cello is like playing a new instrument? Because of all the physics of it, it looks so different, no thumb position, no bending the hand, etc... Another thing is, do you think the CR series is the best cello from NS design? If you had the opportunity to make a video comparing all the versions, it would be great! Maybe getting a sponsor from them or something =) Thank you very much again!!
Thank you for the comparison. I had a questio about the case you are using. It seems to be different that the one I have. I cannot fit both the endpin and the cello. I do not see additional cases for sale in their website. Where did you get yours? I do not have CR cello though, I have an NXTa.
I recently purchased the upright bass version of this cello. My new NS Design CR5M has very nice action. Decent sound, if you can be satisfied with the hard fact that NO eub will ever sound like an acoustic upright. It just ain't gonna happen. But still an acceptable trade off for jazz and rock players. As a 50+year player of uprights and electric basses, and an engineer with an upright accessory patent of my own, I will say with experience ad conviction that my NS Design CR5M has room for two major design improvements. Position of the input jack is not well though out. Needs to be on the side of the bass, not in the metal plate cover. And the position markers on the fingerboard, if one MUST have them for intonation reference, should be limited to only the customary placement as found on a bass guitar. A marker at every tonal increment is very confusing, perhaps even more so for an experienced player who only occasionally visually checks position than for a novice. The tripod support stand is robust, but ugly. The bass itself is a beautiful piece of sculpture, ad for the insanely high retail price, one would think NS could afford to do something artistically worthy of the instruments aesthetics. And the cordura bag is a joke. Inferior construction. Good material, but lousy thread and stitching. I developed and sold, at a decent profit, an instrument with about 70% of the labor and materials intensity of what I'd guess for the CR5M. It sold well at a $900 retail. Still, I do like the bass, And if the price were to come down to what would be a fair $1500-2000, I'd buy another.
Hey quick question. When you put an Impulse Response on both of these, does all of the noise floor disappear? Or does the noise floor improve dramatically? I'm asking because I want to record professional film scores using one of these, and I'm looking towards the Yamaha mainly.. but considering the noise floor is SO loud on the Yamaha, I'm wondering if I put an IR on the Yamaha, will that loud noise floor disappear and be usuable for a professional film score? The last the I want is people watching a movie I score, and once the Yamaha cello appears, there's skme form of noise floor hiss, even subtlety. Would an IR fix that problem completely? Thanks so much for your help! And love your CZcams channel! :)
Great performance. Good advertising for NS... Bottom line, the Yamaha sounds better, closer to an acoustic than the NS Steinberger. *The NS is “better”? Depends for whom and why. If one is getting paid for saying so, then maybe its “better”.* To me the Yamaha sounds (and feels in hand) “better”. I would still love to have NS fretted 4 string (not the WAV) violin though.
I certainly wish I were paid but alas, the truth is the NS is a cello made by musicians. The build quality in every measure is superiour, and the sound is leagues above the Yamaha. The Yamaha's neck is fat and glossy, whilst even thought my NS has an extra string, the neck is more comfortable to play. My "geek" friend was right all along - the piezo and preamp on the Yamaha leave much to be desired. Did you watch the part where I unplug the Yamaha and take the preamp to full volume? All that static when powered by battery in the recording studio is simply unbearable, not to mention the Yamaha is prone to ground loops. I am not a sponsored cellist like Tina Gao or 2Cellos who have probably dramatically changed their piezo/preamp configuration. I am just a guy like you who enjoys quality and the facts are as clear as day - NS cellos are the better electric cellos on the market.
@@CelloCoach Hi. Thanks for the clarification. I appreciate it. Actually I used both cellos (4 strings), Yamaha 210 and the NS 4 string (not WAV). True the NS is so much more convenient physically. To me and my ears the Yamaha has a closer sound to an acoustic (traditional) cello. BTW, replacing strings on the cello is easier on the Yamaha I think using ‘usual’ cello strings. I kept the Yamaha 210. All I changed was strings. The original that it came with wasn’t doing too well for me.
Interesting video, I am curious if both Yamaha and NS Design were given as a promotion or actually purchased. It seems to me that this is a pretty bias review.
@@CelloCoach I also hear the Yamaha as sounding more "cello like." I do think NS is superior on portability / travel, and I play tested Yamaha and NS at a store the other day (unplugged). I deemed the NS easier to play. I'll have to go back and plug them in!
I think with the right effects pedals, you could very much make the NS sound more acoustic. I'm very curious to see how this would sound with a Tech21 Sansamp (tube amp emulation) and a Boss AC-3 (acoustic simulator). I mean, let's take full of that electric-ness, am i right?
Thanks so much! Can you post any comment about the difference between the CR5 and the NXTa models of NS cellos? There's a big price difference, but I'm not sure why. Ned Steinberger said in his vid that the pickups are pretty much the same across all models. Any insights would be appreciated.
I tried out the NS and the Yamaha (no amp though...) at a store. Also an acoustic ... for the first time, and I realized that there is very little room for error regarding bowing only one string at a time. Do you feel the 5 string would be too difficult in this particular regard for a beginner cellist (very experienced Jazz saxophonist / keyboardist here). P.S. - you noted some intangibles that are very helpful. I'm also looking at a "Straus" cello that is somewhat like my Zeta electric upright bass. Do you know anything about those? Thanks!
Hi Jonathan, can you please do a review on NXT4a-CO-BK Cello? Do you recommend it to a beginner(living in an apartment, want to practice more but worry about making noise)? Thanks!
Hi Jonathan, Thanks for the great reviews! I'd love to try an SCV-210, but since it is currently out of my price range, do you know if the Yamaha PA 130 power adapter will also work with the SVC-50? Thanks!
Jonathan please finally answer our prayers. We need your expertise. Is the NS Design Nxt4a Cello still, in your opinion more favourable than the Yamah SVC 210
@@CelloCoach Does this include the cheapere WAV series? The WAV4 can be had for $1k less than the cheapest Yamaha cello. That would make that particular decision very easy.
Hello ! Great review, thanks !! The onnly thing I'd love to purchase and couldn't find in your links is the mini bow... where did you get it ? Thank you
I really wish Steinberger did not quit making their graphite basses from the 80s. I think the Yamaha is severely overpriced , its approaching the cost of full acoustic cello .
Thank you for your video. I've been debating between the two for months and it sucks there is so little help online to choose.
I'm very grateful for people like you.
Ever since I've heard of the NS Design electric cello, I've been wanting to get one and I don't even already know how to play cello. Been learning bass guitar and grew up playing low brass yet always wanted to learn cello and/or double bass as well.
Go for it!
One of the best reviews of e-cellos on CZcams, hands down.
Although now you should probably compare the Wood Cobra cello ...
But also to note: usability is a big issue, but if someone is judging based on overall tone, its the IR that ultimately makes a difference. Yamaha has enough built-in electronics that you might not want to go further than that, for practice. But if you're going to step beyond that -- as you noted -- the quality of the sound becomes less decisive.
Disclosure: I have a 5-string NS Design CR and a 6-string fretted Cobra ... so yeah, maybe I'm biased.
What impacted my review the most was the hum from the wiring, especially when using battery power. And the fact the 2 AA batteries are not loud enough for headphone practice, and using the built-in effects drains the batteries quickly, also makes the NS more user friendly. I will apprehend the SVC of cello pop stars are heavily modified to sound better.
Great review, Jonathan. You are great, thank you for that, at the end of the video I felt I needed to hug you for taking your time and teaching us so patiently about e-cellos! Your voice is so calming and your explanation is so clear.
I have a few questions though... Do you feel that playing the NS design cello is like playing a new instrument? Because of all the physics of it, it looks so different, no thumb position, no bending the hand, etc...
Another thing is, do you think the CR series is the best cello from NS design?
If you had the opportunity to make a video comparing all the versions, it would be great! Maybe getting a sponsor from them or something =)
Thank you very much again!!
Best review I have ever seen. Amazing!
Thank you
Hi what a great video you have done this makes my desire for the ms design in the near future I do cello it's been a great time for a year now
Best of luck!
Thank you for the comparison. I had a questio about the case you are using. It seems to be different that the one I have. I cannot fit both the endpin and the cello. I do not see additional cases for sale in their website. Where did you get yours? I do not have CR cello though, I have an NXTa.
I recently purchased the upright bass version of this cello.
My new NS Design CR5M has very nice action. Decent sound, if you can be satisfied with the hard fact that NO eub will ever sound like an acoustic upright. It just ain't gonna happen. But still an acceptable trade off for jazz and rock players. As a 50+year player of uprights and electric basses, and an engineer with an upright accessory patent of my own, I will say with experience ad conviction that my NS Design CR5M has room for two major design improvements. Position of the input jack is not well though out. Needs to be on the side of the bass, not in the metal plate cover. And the position markers on the fingerboard, if one MUST have them for intonation reference, should be limited to only the customary placement as found on a bass guitar. A marker at every tonal increment is very confusing, perhaps even more so for an experienced player who only occasionally visually checks position than for a novice.
The tripod support stand is robust, but ugly. The bass itself is a beautiful piece of sculpture, ad for the insanely high retail price, one would think NS could afford to do something artistically worthy of the instruments aesthetics. And the cordura bag is a joke. Inferior construction. Good material, but lousy thread and stitching.
I developed and sold, at a decent profit, an instrument with about 70% of the labor and materials intensity of what I'd guess for the CR5M. It sold well at a $900 retail. Still, I do like the bass, And if the price were to come down to what would be a fair $1500-2000, I'd buy another.
Hey quick question. When you put an Impulse Response on both of these, does all of the noise floor disappear? Or does the noise floor improve dramatically? I'm asking because I want to record professional film scores using one of these, and I'm looking towards the Yamaha mainly.. but considering the noise floor is SO loud on the Yamaha, I'm wondering if I put an IR on the Yamaha, will that loud noise floor disappear and be usuable for a professional film score? The last the I want is people watching a movie I score, and once the Yamaha cello appears, there's skme form of noise floor hiss, even subtlety. Would an IR fix that problem completely? Thanks so much for your help! And love your CZcams channel! :)
Great performance. Good advertising for NS... Bottom line, the Yamaha sounds better, closer to an acoustic than the NS Steinberger. *The NS is “better”? Depends for whom and why. If one is getting paid for saying so, then maybe its “better”.* To me the Yamaha sounds (and feels in hand) “better”. I would still love to have NS fretted 4 string (not the WAV) violin though.
I certainly wish I were paid but alas, the truth is the NS is a cello made by musicians. The build quality in every measure is superiour, and the sound is leagues above the Yamaha. The Yamaha's neck is fat and glossy, whilst even thought my NS has an extra string, the neck is more comfortable to play.
My "geek" friend was right all along - the piezo and preamp on the Yamaha leave much to be desired. Did you watch the part where I unplug the Yamaha and take the preamp to full volume? All that static when powered by battery in the recording studio is simply unbearable, not to mention the Yamaha is prone to ground loops.
I am not a sponsored cellist like Tina Gao or 2Cellos who have probably dramatically changed their piezo/preamp configuration. I am just a guy like you who enjoys quality and the facts are as clear as day - NS cellos are the better electric cellos on the market.
@@CelloCoach Hi. Thanks for the clarification. I appreciate it. Actually I used both cellos (4 strings), Yamaha 210 and the NS 4 string (not WAV). True the NS is so much more convenient physically. To me and my ears the Yamaha has a closer sound to an acoustic (traditional) cello. BTW, replacing strings on the cello is easier on the Yamaha I think using ‘usual’ cello strings. I kept the Yamaha 210. All I changed was strings. The original that it came with wasn’t doing too well for me.
Interesting video, I am curious if both Yamaha and NS Design were given as a promotion or actually purchased. It seems to me that this is a pretty bias review.
@@CelloCoach I also hear the Yamaha as sounding more "cello like." I do think NS is superior on portability / travel, and I play tested Yamaha and NS at a store the other day (unplugged). I deemed the NS easier to play. I'll have to go back and plug them in!
I think with the right effects pedals, you could very much make the NS sound more acoustic. I'm very curious to see how this would sound with a Tech21 Sansamp (tube amp emulation) and a Boss AC-3 (acoustic simulator). I mean, let's take full of that electric-ness, am i right?
Thanks so much! Can you post any comment about the difference between the CR5 and the NXTa models of NS cellos? There's a big price difference, but I'm not sure why. Ned Steinberger said in his vid that the pickups are pretty much the same across all models. Any insights would be appreciated.
I was thinking of getting the Yamaha for my first cello but then... NS design... 5 STRINGS LETS GO! I think I will take more strings
Rock on!
What about NS fretted cello? Have you tried one? I'm learning on one, I loved it. By the way I turn 70 in Jan. 14, 2022.
Congratulations John on your upcoming 70y! As for the fretted, never tried one. It would be an interesting experience. How you like it?
Fantastic comparison! Could you reveal which IR map has been used on the pedal? Been struggling to get to that beautiful sound with my NSD
Sure thing! I use the 3Sigma French Cello IR
Have you ever tried a fishman amp with your CR5?
no I have not, do you have any experience on this subject?
whats the best NS four string model? Thanks for this review!!!
CR is the best, though the NXTa is good too
I tried out the NS and the Yamaha (no amp though...) at a store. Also an acoustic ... for the first time, and I realized that there is very little room for error regarding bowing only one string at a time. Do you feel the 5 string would be too difficult in this particular regard for a beginner cellist (very experienced Jazz saxophonist / keyboardist here). P.S. - you noted some intangibles that are very helpful. I'm also looking at a "Straus" cello that is somewhat like my Zeta electric upright bass. Do you know anything about those? Thanks!
Did you decide?
Hi Jonathan, can you please do a review on NXT4a-CO-BK Cello? Do you recommend it to a beginner(living in an apartment, want to practice more but worry about making noise)? Thanks!
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for the great reviews! I'd love to try an SCV-210, but since it is currently out of my price range, do you know if the Yamaha PA 130 power adapter will also work with the SVC-50? Thanks!
Yes I do! and yes it does!! the same A/C adapter for their keyboards
@@CelloCoach Awesome, thank you!
Love it the electric cello
happy you do
Hi.idont know how to replace the battery for the first time.. can u tell me,please
Jonathan please finally answer our prayers. We need your expertise. Is the NS Design Nxt4a Cello still, in your opinion more favourable than the Yamah SVC 210
Yes, all NS cellos are better than the Yamaha in my opinion
@@CelloCoach Does this include the cheapere WAV series? The WAV4 can be had for $1k less than the cheapest Yamaha cello. That would make that particular decision very easy.
Did you purchase the end pin or the tripod stand?
Hello ! Great review, thanks !! The onnly thing I'd love to purchase and couldn't find in your links is the mini bow... where did you get it ? Thank you
The closest I found was this - SKY 12" Viola Bow Brazilwood - on amazon, $24.99 US
Contact John Li at Kamimoto Strings in San Jose, CA USA
Please subtítulos en español ! 🙏🏽
I really wish Steinberger did not quit making their graphite basses from the 80s.
I think the Yamaha is severely overpriced , its approaching the cost of full acoustic cello .