NS Design is an electric string instrument company founded in 1990 by industrial designer Ned Steinberger, who previously revolutionized the bass world in the 1980s with the headless graphite Steinberger bass after collaborating with luthier Stuart Spector on the original Spector NS in 1976. With NS Design, Steinberger turned his focus toward bowed instruments, developing electric violins, violas, cellos, and upright basses built around ergonomic posture, balanced tuning, and a proprietary Polar pickup system engineered to respond equally well to both bowed and pizzicato technique.

The lineup spans the CR, NXTa, and WAV series across violin, viola, cello, and electric upright bass, alongside the OMNI Bass and the RADIUS electric bass guitar. The instruments are known for their distinctive minimalist shapes, headless construction with body-mounted tuners, and modular support systems that let players perform seated, standing on an end-pin, or strapped like a guitar.

NS Design has a following among adventurous string players and bassists working across rock, jazz, new music, and film scoring. Artists associated with the brand include Tony Levin, Les Claypool, Laurie Anderson, Rob Wasserman, and cellist David Darling.

NS Design has 16 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Upright Basses, Violins, and Cellos. Their gear is featured by 14 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Electronic. Notable users include Les Claypool, Rob Wasserman, and Jacob Collier.