Detail 01
Bass and treble EQ onboard
You cut boom or add bite at the instrument, before the signal reaches an amp or DI.
Product detailSKU #1274115060870
NS DesignCR Series Electric Viola
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
NS Design's high-end electric viola at $3,599. For a working violist who amplifies every night and wants onboard EQ and pickup voicing.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Touring violists playing loud rooms with no feedback headroom
- Session work where the viola goes straight to the board
- Players who want to reshape tone without an outboard preamp
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone whose playing is mostly acoustic chamber or orchestral
- Players unwilling to spend pro money on a second instrument
- Shoppers who only need a basic amplified viola
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
3-way switch for the Polar pickup
Three pickup voicings, so one instrument covers a bowed sound and a more direct, focused one.
Detail 03
14.4 inch scale length
Sits in standard viola territory, so your left-hand spacing and fingering carry over directly.
Detail 04
Nut 0.7 inch, bridge 1.5 inch string spacing
Tight at the nut, wide at the bridge. Comfortable for fast passages and clean for single-string bowing.
Detail 05
D'Addario Helicore strings included
Synthetic-core strings are already fitted, so it plays properly out of the box with no immediate string spend.
Detail 06
20.4 inch body length
Shorter overall than a comparable acoustic viola, which changes how it sits on the shoulder and in a case.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Amp, cable and case are not included at this price.
- 02The 3-way switch and EQ take a session to learn. Set them before a gig.
- 03Solid-body construction means near-silent unplugged. Plan an amp for practice.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Do I need a preamp?
Not necessarily. Volume plus bass and treble EQ are onboard, so it can run straight into an amp or DI. A preamp is optional shaping, not a requirement.
02Does it come with strings?
Yes. D'Addario Helicore strings are included and fitted.
03How heavy is it?
It is a light instrument, and lighter than the overall size suggests, because the body is a slim solid form rather than a hollow shell.
04Is this a full-size viola?
The 14.4 inch scale length matches a standard viola, so fingering transfers over. The body itself is much smaller, at 20.4 inches long.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Controls
- Volume, bass EQ, treble EQ controls, and 3-way switch for Polar pickup
3 detailsPlayability
- Strings
- D'Addario Helicore strings are included
- String Spacing
- nut 0.7 inch, bridge 1.5 inch
- Number of Strings
- D'Addario Helicore strings are included
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 1.71
- Dimensions
- Length 20.4 inch, Width 4.6 inch, Thickness 2 inch, Scale Length 14.4 inch
