Electric Violins offer the promise of an instrument that can be amplified but without the inconvenience of standing next to a microphone and thus are popular in non-classical band style environments, where there is freedom to move about the stage.
Electric violins vary from solid body, semi acoustic and acoustic bodied violins. Solid body electrics capture then the sound of the strings but are without the shaping of the sound from a traditional body (something that also tends to happen with bridge based pickups) and thus don’t have that traditional sound many7 are looking and hoping for.
My electric violins are select older trade instruments from Europe. These are fine sounding instruments under the ear, though don’t offer the brilliance and projection of more modern instruments and thus are an ideal candidate.
Through an internally mounted pickup I am able to capture the warmth of a classical instrument, shaped by the brightness of the strings vibrations to offer an electro-acoustic violin that i believe offers outstanding value for money to anyone looking for a more naturally sounding electric instrument and a classical looking period instrument.
For the purist modification of the body is minimal and extends the life and utility of a trade instrument that might not otherwise be played. The selected pickup configuration alters the natural sound minimally and the lead jack is conveniently located out of the way for ease of playing.
Hear a sound sample here (mic then pickup)
For optimal performance I recommend a pre-amp with a high impedance input and a smidge of reverb to give that concert hall sound on any stage. To this add you wah-wah, chorus, octave pedal distortion or other desired effects. Prices start from just $850 for the instrument only.
Whilst I am happy to consider retro fitting your favourite fiddle, this will depend on the instrument itself, as I won’t touch more advanced individually made classical instruments out of respect for the maker and as it would devalue them significantly