NS Design WAV5c 5-String Electric Cello, Transparent Black

Extended-Range Electric Cello with Natural Tone and Modern Versatility

The NS Design WAV5c 5-String Electric Cello in Transparent Black combines the expressive character of an acoustic cello with the extended range and creative possibilities of an electric instrument. Designed by Ned Steinberger, this innovative cello features a solid maple body and neck with a flame maple face, creating a streamlined, lightweight instrument with a distinctive appearance. Its five-string configuration adds a low F string below the traditional cello range, expanding the instrument's musical possibilities for ensemble performance, improvisation, and contemporary repertoire.

At the heart of the WAV5c is the patented NS Polar Pickup System, a bridge-mounted piezoelectric transducer designed to capture natural cello tone while minimizing feedback and wolf tones. The passive electronics require no batteries and provide straightforward volume and tone controls for shaping the amplified sound. A hand-graduated fingerboard with cascading dot position markers supports accurate intonation, while an adjustable truss rod and precision-geared tuners offer practical setup and tuning control. The compact solid-body construction also makes the WAV5c particularly well suited to effects processing, looping, and amplified performance, allowing cellists to explore new sounds while retaining the expressive techniques of traditional bowed playing.

Features & Specifications

• Instrument: NS Design WAV5c 5-String Electric Cello
• Color & Finish: Transparent Black with flame maple face
• String Configuration: Five strings, extending from low F to A
• Body & Neck: Solid, straight-grain maple with flame maple face
• Fingerboard: Hand-graduated with cascading dot position markers for intonation reference
• Truss Rod: Two-way adjustable truss rod accessible at the neck
• Tuning Hardware: Fully enclosed 12:1 ratio worm-gear tuners with black finish
• Pickup System: Patented NS Polar bridge-mounted piezoelectric pickup
• Electronics: Passive, high-impedance output requiring no batteries
• Volume Control: Onboard output level adjustment
• Tone Control: Treble roll-off control for adjusting tonal brightness
• Feedback Resistance: Solid-body construction and Polar Pickup System help minimize feedback and wolf tones
• Scale Length: 27.36"
• Overall Length: 37"
• Width: 5.5"
• Thickness: 3.7"
• Instrument Weight: Approximately 4.5 lbs.
• Included Accessories: Tripod stand, gig bag, and tool kit
• Designer: Ned Steinberger
• Recommended Uses: Amplified performance, extended-range cello repertoire, improvisation, effects processing, and looping