Considering an Electric Violin?

If you’re a novice violinist and you are thinking about getting yourself an electric violin, you should consider your budget, along with the style of music that you want to play.  The general consensus is that one should stay away from the bargain basement e-violins, unless you don’t mind modifying it.  Although conversely a case can be made for purchasing a cheap fiddle to see whether you like the electric at all.

A good example of this second school of thought can be found in the customer reviews for this particular electric by ViolinSmart . . .

Electric Violin

Students learning to play a violin may want to consider an electric violin or silent violin. Advanced violinists may also find use for these instruments as well. Electric violins allow violinists to control the sound output of the instrument through built-in amplification controls or by plugging in headphones.

These instruments provide minimal disturbance to housemates or sleeping inhabitants of the same home.

Yamaha SV-150 Silent Practice Violin

Students may practice their silent violin at any time of the day or night.

When buying a violin, students should consider the silent violin as an option to decrease obstacles that may hinder the student from practicing.

Since the 1920s, electrically amplified violins have been used by artists. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Electro Stringed Instrument Corporation, National Valco, Vega and Fender were the popular producers of the instrument.

Artist Stuff Smith was a popular violinist that performed with an amplified violin. Other famous electric violinists include Vanessa Mae, David Cross, David LaFlamme, Tracy Silverman, Boyd Tinsley and Jean-Luc Ponty. These artists crossed a variety of genres. Some even played in successful rock bands.

Today, electric violins may be used in numerous environments. Beginner violin students will find them especially useful for practicing.

The major problem with an electric violin for a beginner is the feedback received from the amplification unit integrated into the violin. The sound of this type of violin is sharper than a traditional acoustic instrument.

Some music genres appreciate and prefer the sound of an electric violin. When buying a violin, each purchaser should know the genre that he or she desires to appeal to before the purchase.

NS Design WAV 4 Violin

Several designs are available that reduce feedback while giving a close approximation to a traditional acoustic violin. This design is often referred to as a “semi-hollow” design. To reduce the weight of the instrument, designers introduced an atypical, minimalist design called a “solid body.”

This instrument is made of Kevlar, glass and carbon fibers. Some instruments come with sympathetic strings, “baritone” strings, frets, machine heads or extra strings.

Magnetic or piezoelectric pickups are used for the electric violin. A silent violin will often have violin strings that contain ferrous metal cores or wraps. The string must contain an electrical conductor in order to be considered an electric instrument.

Fender FV3 Deluxe Electric Violin

Piezoelectric pickups are less expensive and thus, more commonly found. These elements are commonly found on the body of the instrument, on or beneath the strings or bridge. They are typically in the shape of a cylinder or ceramic disc.

Piezo pickups require a high impedance input stage in the amplifier to handle the high output impedance. This feature will reduce feedback from a microphone or other devices.

An external signal processor may be used for preamplification. A silent violin may also have this feature built into the actual instrument.

Artists buying a violin for a rock band may consider a violin with MIDI system capabilities. This will allow the violinist to control synthesizers and provide more control over sound quality.

Other than the Zeta pickup, no other dedicated violin-to-MIDI systems have been designed. However, Roland and Yamaha instruments may be adapted to perform these capabilities. Most of these systems will only recognize and detect one pitch at a time. Therefore, the instruments are limited in some respects.

Before buying a violin, consider an electric violin. These instruments may be used to refine the student’s musical skills without causing a disturbance.

Finally if you like Ed Alleyne-Johnson, here’s Purple . . .