Eletric Violin

Ziltoid · #1 05-06-2011, 03:33 PM

My sister has been playing violin for a while now and started eye'ing electric violins, not a huge budget I assume (she's only 14, playing since she's 5 or 6 can't recall, so it's probably going to be a present from me and my parents). Any advise would be appreciated I know nothing when it comes to violins.

Melik · #2 05-06-2011, 03:55 PM

Fender!! Or Yamaha!!

Ziltoid · #3 05-07-2011, 12:45 PM

Particular models? experience with them?

Skitch it! · #4 05-07-2011, 01:30 PM

No experience with electrics, my ex played violin on gigs and used a transducer. I'm biased to Yam's, only because of the relative quality to price I've found over 20 years, it's good, the quality has been v.good. Check out the reviews on the Silent Violins and price range, or if there is one close get a demo.

Ziltoid · #5 05-09-2011, 02:54 PM

The less expensive eletric violin from yamaha is 700CAN +tax, that's kind of a lot.

Skitch it! · #6 05-09-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

The less expensive eletric violin from yamaha is 700CAN +tax, that's kind of a lot.

Yep, I see what your saying, from scanning around there does seem to be a lot of different op's on the market for electric's within various price ranges, far more than I thought.
Be nice to try a few out and see what your Sister likes but you need the right places with stock for that, not always doable. I've pretty much bought most of my basses off the Bay for a while now, as always a little risky but I've had some nice deals.

If I were you I'd check-out the violinists forums and see what has the rep for a good instrument in the range your looking at, I'd start there and read a few opinions from the bod's.

carl h. · #7 05-09-2011, 03:41 PM

Buy the cheapest one that uses a 9 volt and is non-acoustic. Pay someone to put a decent bridge on it and do a setup.

I did this and was stunned at how good it was - and my main violin is worth more than most cars on the market. You don't need to spend a lot, just have it properly set up. The cases with these things are passable, but the bows are useless, except for fiddlin and screwing around.

Ziltoid · #8 05-10-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skitch it!

If I were you I'd check-out the violinists forums and see what has the rep for a good instrument in the range your looking at, I'd start there and read a few opinions from the bod's.

This is what I'll do, no place that doesn't requires a 3hr+drive with violins in stock.

Stick_Player · #9 05-10-2011, 10:05 AM

Is she already playing a full-size? Does she 'really' like the instrument she is currently playing?

If so, the BEST option would be to get a bridge pickup. I like the Schatten V-02. If she is on a smaller scale violin, Schatten will make the required fractional sized bridge. Get a PRO to install!!! If she later decides that Electric playing is her thing the options are endless - if it's not, then the only thing spent on was the pickup and installation.

Best results would utilize a preamp - but it's not necessary.

I use the Fishman Aura Spectrum DI to enhance the bridge piezo sound -- VERY effective.

Then off to effects pedals and amplification...

Of course one can invests lots of money into this direction.

Keep in mind, Electric Violining sounds a LOT different.

bassbully · #10 05-10-2011, 11:27 AM

I dont know much about them but after 3 years of playing with a violin player in my band nothing IMO beats an reg acoustic Violin. The electric ones are cool and he tried one once...we told him to leave it home and bring back his old one.

wateroftyne · #11 05-10-2011, 11:54 AM

Mrs. WoT has a Baggs bridge pickup on her acoustic, and Baggs Para DI from there.

She has en electric fiddle as a backup, but the acoustic is much nicer.

Have a listen...

Ziltoid · #12 05-10-2011, 07:30 PM

She wants an electric violin mainly to practice at any time without having to worry about the sound she produces (she's also after the different sound), that kind of ruled out pickups as it was my first suggestion when she started to speak about electric violins.

carl h. · #13 05-10-2011, 08:15 PM

An experienced professional player and teacher says, read post #7 .

Ziltoid · #14 05-11-2011, 05:16 AM

No pro to do the task sub 3hr drive.

carl h. · #15 05-11-2011, 08:17 AM

ebay

New Full Size BLUE 4/4 Electric Silent Violin 9V WOOD | eBay

I got one of these. It needed the peg box opened a bit for easy A string winding, the neck cleaned up a bit, chinrest recorked, and a decent bridge - the one that comes with it is spongy.

They have other colors, I just got the cheapest at the time. Received MANY compliments on the sound. I imagine it would play out of the box, but with a setup it really performs quite well.