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NS Design Unveils the WAV4 Radius Bass

NS Design Unveils the WAV4 Radius Bass

A headless bass loaded with EMG pickups.

Nobleboro, ME (May 20, 2015) -- The WAV4 RADIUS, Ned Steinberger’s newest contribution to the art of the bass guitar, will make its debut in June 2015. Its design is centered on the headless concept, but this instrument also embodies variety of other innovations and refinements such as the NS Polar /EMG pickup system, the Diradial body, the self-clamping tuning system, and an advanced truss-rod design. As one can expect from Ned Steinberger, the entire instrument is designed so that the elements work together, integrated to make the WAV a dynamic and exciting instrument to play and experience.

This instrument has a tight, granite-solid low end which underpins exceptional clarity and harmonic integrity throughout its range. Active electronics, including a nine volt onboard preamp and EQ, integrate the Custom EMG magnetic pickup and the NS bridge-mounted Polar pickup. The Polar pickup is a unique piezo design combining a tight and powerful low end with exceptional overall definition. The EMG pickup itself is radiused to optimize the tone and harmonics from every string. The controls, which include master volume and balance, and separate tone controls for each pickup, are straightforward, and provide an expansive range of practical tone and sound variations.

Players will immediately appreciate the extraordinary comfort of playing the WAV4 RADIUS. The weight is just eight pounds, but more important, the tuning machines have been replaced with the NS self-clamping tuning mechanism integrated into the body, so the balance is perfect and neck dive has been eliminated. The curvilinear Diradial body securely contours to the torso, and subtly slants the neck and strings up for enhanced visibility and more comfortable hand positioning. The deep cutaway provides easy access to the highest frets.

The RADIUS accepts any conventional bass guitar strings. The ball end goes in the headplate slot; the opposite end inserts into the patented NS Tuning System opening. The string is gripped by the mechanism and quickly precision-tuned by rotating the knurled knob. No tools are required.

The one-piece bolt-on maple neck has a 34” scale, 24 frets, and the fingerboard has a familiar 15” radius. A volute provides a thumb reference at the nut. The aluminum one-piece bridge and saddle assembly provide broad height and angle adjustment, allowing the player to precisely tailor the action and adjust the intonation. Conveniently accessed from the top of the neck, the heavy-duty aluminum double-action reinforcing truss rod has a patented differential thread drive which gives both rigidity and precise relief control.

Features:

  • Overall length - 41.5”
  • Body length - 20.8”
  • Frets - 24
  • Neck scale - 34”
  • Neck radius - 15”
  • Weight - 8.0 lbs.
  • Bridge spacing - 19 mm
  • Nut width - 1.60”
  • 12th fret width - 2.19”
  • Power supply - 9V
  • Available colors - Matte Black, Metallic Crimson, Metallic Cobalt
  • Standard strings: D’Addario EXL170 Nickel Round Wound

As with its sibling, the CR4 RADIUS which is made in the Czech Republic, the WAV4 RADIUS, made in Indonesia, was designed to give the bassist a tool which raises the bar for performance, comfort and sheer playability. The typical selling price for the WAV4 RADIUS bass guitar is $1,199.00.

For more information:
NS Design