String Replacement Guide for NS Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass Cello, and Double Bass
Download our string replacement guide in pdf format.
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
NS instruments are designed to fit standard acoustic strings. Five and six string sets may be hard to find, but the extra strings are available from NS Design. Suitable string substitutions are listed below.
Violin4 String: We use and recommend Helicore strings.
5 String: Use a standard violin 4 string set with a viola C string.
Learn more about our self clamping tunerViola4 String: We use and recommend Helicore strings.
Learn more about our self clamping tunerCello4 String: We use and recommend Helicore strings.
5 or 6 String: Use a standard 4 string set for the A, D, G, and C strings.For the high E string, use a plain unwound guitar high E or B string. The ideal gauge is .012 to .016 inch diameter.
Helicore F strings are available directly from NS. The low cello F string is not commonly available. However, a flat wound heavy gage electric bass A string should work as a substitute.
Bass Cello4 String: NS Bass Cello strings are designed specifically to bring out the best bowed and pizzicato tone from the bass cello. Made by D'Addario, these premium strings are available in the following sets:
NSBC5 E-C - E, A, D, G, C, low to high in fourths (standard bass tuning)
NSBC5 B-G - B, E, A, D, G, low to high in fourths (low bass tuning)
NSBC5 C-E - C, G, D, A, E, from low to high in fifths (octave cello)The string length for the NS Bass Cello is the same as a standard electric bass guitar, so most bass guitar strings will fit the bass cello. Conversely, NS Bass Cello strings will fit most bass guitars. These ultra smooth strings provide a rich, deep sound that opens up a new world of expression for the bass guitarist, and are recommended for both fretted and fretless bass guitars.
Double Bass
Flat and round wound NS Double Bass strings, specially made for us by D'Addario, are available as listed below. The instrument comes equipped with these special strings sized to fit the shorter body of an electric instrument. Flatwound Lights, standard on most models, are a solid core flatwound string, with full, sustained tone and responsive, easy to play string tension. The Roundwound Lights are very bright, with remarkable articulation of the full harmonic spectrum. Many upright players prefer the smooth Helicore.acoustic style strings, with their warm tone, percussive attack, and relatively high tension.
NS Double Bass Strings
NS 4 FL 4-string Flatwound Light
NS 4 RL 4-string Roundwound Light
NS 4 Helicore 4-string Flatwound Acoustic
Style Medium
NS 5 FL 5-string Flatwound Light (Low B)
NS 5 RL 5-string Roundwound Light (Low B)
NS 5 Helicore 5-string Flatwound Acoustic Style Medium (low B)
NS 6 FL 6-string Flatwound Light
NS 6 RL 6-string Roundwound Light
NS Helicore 6-string Flatwound Acoustic Style Medium
Individual Strings are also available.
Attaching Standard Acoustic Double Bass Strings:Conventional double bass strings extend far beyond the bridge. To avoid adding this extra length to the body of the NS Double Bass, the strings wrap around the end of the body and fit into slots in the back.
To install standard acoustic strings, thread the strings through the holes in the body, then wrap the strings around the back of the instrument and secure the ball ends in the slots in the back plate. See photo to the right.
Violin and Viola Tuning and String Change:
Tune stings with knobs located behind the bridge, like conventional fine tuners.
To remove strings, loosen knob all the way until the string pulls out of the tuner. Then pull the string out through the hole in the end of the neck.
To install stings, first remove small cover off as shown at right. Thread the string through the hole in the end of the neck and pull it through the nut. Insert the free end of the string into the appropriate slot located just behind each tuning lever. (Be sure knob is rotated all the way in the counter-clockwise direction to open tuner fully so sting can enter easily.) Pull string through the tuner from the back, making sure the string is in the slot that rides up over the tuning lever, as shown above. Tune the string to pitch (the string will clamp automatically when tuned). Cut excess string if desired, and snap cover into place.
Note: Any standard violin strings will fit. However, nylon (Perlon) core strings have a great deal of stretch, and must be pulled firmly through tuner to pre-tension the string before tuning.
National Sales Office : 866 NS DESIGN or 866-673-3744 (Toll Free)