Ned Steinberger

Emmett Chapman was studying guitar when he began playing a two hand tapping style. As he researched the idea he found that he could create a unique instrument and style of playing that would later be explored by musicians of nearly every musical style. The Chapman Stick has become one of the most celebrated string innovations of the last 50 years and has enjoyed a great following among players and fans alike. Not being satisfied with just one model, Emmett designed several products over his career including the team effort with Ned Steinberger to create the NS Stick, which was int

Hal Harrower proudly recalls when he was 14 years old and his mother purchased his first guitar. He fell in love with the instrument and while in high school in 1969 he formed the band, the Undecided. Hal sought to create his own style of guitars and designed his first double-neck instrument in 1987, a 6-string guitar and a 4-string bass. Using the Steinberger system, that first instrument built by Hal not only looked different, it sounded different and gained a reputation for its clean sound. Hal developed a line of guitars, both single and double neck that have been played on to

Allan Holdsworth was the influential electric guitarist who played a vital role within the music products industry as both an endorser and instrument designer. Allan recorded 12 well-received albums, toured and performed with the likes of Tony Williams and Jean-Luc Ponty and composed a string of songs. In addition, Allan worked with a number of industry companies on product designs. In 1984, he helped design his first signature model for Ibanez. He later worked with Ned Steinberger, Grover Jackson as well as with Mark Kiesel at Carvin Corporation where Allan co-designed several gu

Michael Kropp loved folk music for as far back as he could remember. As he grew up and played in various bands in the 1960s and 70s he also became involved with the music industry. After owning his own music store for several years in New England, Mike became friends with Stewart Spector, Hap Kuffner and Ned Steinberger. Early on in their careers in the industry, they teamed up to become a force of introducing, marketing and selling innovative musical products around the world.  

Hap Kuffner was eleven years old when he was given his first guitar during the folk music boom of the early 1960s. As he learned to play the instrument he also taught himself to repair guitars and to teach. In 1969 he teamed with friend Stanley Jay and opened a vintage instrument shop in New York, naming it Mandolin Brothers. The store allowed Hap to use all of his interests and was in the right place to watch the enormous popularity in vintage guitars, which began to take form in the 1970s. Since his introduction to the industry, Hap has been very active in the business working w

Ned Steinberger is known around the world for his innovative instrument designs. His guitars and basses created without the traditional headstock gained wide popularity in the 1980s rock era and have come to be known simply as Steinbergers. When he formed NS Designs in 1990, Ned focused on electric classical instruments such as the double bass, bass cello, cello, viola and violin. Ned’s passion for making musical instruments is clear in the sound of each of his products. He remains one of the great innovators of the music products industry.