NS Design FIN Bass: Carbon Fiber, Multiscale, and Limited to Just 12 Units
Ned Steinberger has always been a pioneer of bass design. In the ’80s, he popularized the headless design with his iconic L-Series bass, which reimagined many aspects of the bass guitar. Now, he’s revealed his latest innovation with the NS Design FIN bass guitar.
The model is a headless, multiscale, six-string instrument that they say replaces conventional norms with “a vision of what is possible rather than what is known.” It’s crafted entirely from carbon fiber composite, which provides longer sustain, brilliant harmonics, and well-defined bass with a powerful midrange. Aside from its tonal properties, NS Design explains that the material is unaffected by humidity and temperature variations, resulting in a more durable instrument.
“This special model is made in Detroit, Michigan by Sankuer Composite Technologies, noted in the auto and music industry for producing carbon fiber products to the highest standard. Production from the SCT6 FIN Bass Guitar mold will be limited to twelve units, after which the mold will be permanently retired.”
The FIN’s unconventional body shape and neck are balanced to remain centered while hanging from a guitar strap. NS thought of ergonomics while seated and included a folding leg rest that can balance the bass on either your right or left leg.
For electronics, the FIN has three individual dual-coil hum-canceling EMG pickups under a single housing. A five-way toggle allows for utilizing the neck pickup, the middle pickup, the bridge pickup, the bridge and middle together, or all three pickups at once. Each has a low-profile volume knob located below the pickup. NS teamed up with EMG to create a three-band EQ for the FIN, as well.
“Low friction ball bearing tuners are easy to use, providing extremely precise and stable tuning with minimal finger pressure required,” NS writes of the hardware. “Action and intonation adjustments feature locking bridge saddles for added security and enhanced tonal response.”
As mentioned, the NS Design FIN Bass Guitar is limited to 12 pieces. They retail for $9,500.
NS Design FIN Bass Guitar Specs:
| Strings: | 6 |
| Scale: | 33.75″ to 35.25″ |
| Body and Neck: | Monocoque 245GSM 2×2 twill carbon fiber |
| Fingerboard: | Unidirectional Carbon Fiber |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 12″ |
| Frets: | 24 Medium Jumbo |
| Inlays: | Dot |
| Pickups: | 3 hum-canceling pickups by EMG |
| Electronics: | Active preamp by EMG |
| Bridge: | Custom |
| Tuners: | Low friction ball bearing thrust bearings |
| Weight: | 8 lbs |
| Orientation: | Right-Hand |
| Other: | Accepts All Standard Bass Guitar Strings, Folding Leg Rest |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
Holy Shit, what an incredible instrument!
Looks very professional.