Wiktor Wise
Electric violins are violins that are equipped with an electronic output of sound. They are either intentionally made to be electrified with built-in pickups or are violins that have been fitted with an electric pickup. The body of an electric violin can be made of wood, kevlar, glass, carbon fibres, or acrylic. The Auro, Yamaha YEV, and Wood Violins Stingray SVX are examples of electric violins with wooden bodies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Wood, Spruce, Maple, Acrylic, Kevlar/Carbon Fiber |
| Number of Strings | 4, 5, 6, 7+ |
| Design | Traditional, Modern |
| Price | $500 - $1,300, $2,000 - $4,000, $13,500 |
| Brands | Yamaha, NS Design, Bridge, Wood Violins, GEWA, Aurora |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric violins are made from a variety of materials, including wood, kevlar, carbon fibre, and glass fibre
- Electric violins can have a traditional violin shape or a modern, colourful design
- The body shape of an electric violin is less important than that of an acoustic violin, as the sound is amplified electronically
- Electric violins can have four, five, six, or seven strings
- Electric violins are often considered experimental instruments, with many variations on the standard design
Electric violins are made from a variety of materials, including wood, kevlar, carbon fibre, and glass fibre
Wood is a popular choice for electric violins, with some entry-level models like the Yamaha YEV and Auro featuring an all-wood design. Traditional woods like spruce and maple are often used, and skilled makers can even make acrylic or Kevlar/carbon fibre sound "woody". The GEWA Novita 3.0, for example, is described as having an "attractive, lightweight" all-wood design.
Kevlar, glass, and carbon fibres are also used in the construction of electric violins, giving them a modern and experimental look. These materials are strong and durable, making them suitable for the minimalistic design often seen in solid-body electric violins. Luthier Yuri Landman, for instance, built a 12-string electric violin for the Belgian band DAAU, showcasing the experimental nature of electric violin designs.
The choice of material can impact the tone and feel of an electric violin. While the quality of the pickup element generally affects the tone more than the body material, the wood choice and body shape can create subtle differences in tone. The shape of the body also influences the playability and overall experience of the instrument.
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Electric violins can have a traditional violin shape or a modern, colourful design
Electric violins come in a variety of shapes and designs, catering to different tastes and preferences. They can have a traditional violin shape, or a modern, colourful design.
For those who prefer a classic look, electric violins made of natural wood with a traditional violin shape are available. These violins often use traditional woods such as spruce and maple, and can be crafted to resemble the appearance of an acoustic violin, with curly maple on the top. The Yamaha YEV electric violin, for example, is a lightweight, elegant, all-wood instrument designed for performance and priced for the entry-level market.
On the other hand, electric violins can also be designed with a modern aesthetic in mind. These violins may feature colourful, sleek, and bold shapes that deviate from the traditional violin silhouette. The focus on modern design is often accompanied by the use of non-wood materials such as Kevlar, glass, and carbon fibres. The advantage of these materials is that they can make the instrument more durable and lightweight. Additionally, the use of non-traditional materials allows for more experimental designs, such as frets, extra strings, and machine heads.
The choice between a traditional or modern design is largely a matter of personal preference. The tone and sound of an electric violin are more dependent on the quality of the pickup element and the amplifier rather than the material of the body. This allows for more freedom in the design of the instrument, and many electric violin makers, such as Mark Wood of Wood Violins, focus on creating instruments that are not only sonically impressive but also visually striking.
The variety of options available in the market today, from student models to professional custom instruments, allows players to choose an electric violin that aligns with their desired aesthetic, whether it be a traditional violin shape or a modern, colourful design.
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The body shape of an electric violin is less important than that of an acoustic violin, as the sound is amplified electronically
Electric violins are violins equipped with an electronic output of their sound. The sound of an electric violin is produced by pickups that detect physical vibrations. The body shape of an electric violin is less important than that of an acoustic violin because the sound is amplified electronically, and the quality of the pickup element affects the tone more than the material of the body. Electric violins typically have a solid body, which vibrates less than the hollow body of an acoustic violin. The solid body design also helps to keep the weight of the instrument down, and to avoid feedback from the resonances of a hollow body under high amplification.
The body of an acoustic violin, on the other hand, is typically made of spruce and maple, and the sound it produces is the result of the vibrations of the strings and the resonances of the hollow body. The weight of the bow and the pressure exerted on the strings are important factors in the sound of an acoustic violin, and a skilled luthier will carefully craft the body to ensure the instrument sounds great.
Electric violins can be made of a variety of materials, including wood, acrylic, Kevlar, glass, and carbon fiber. The choice of material can affect the tone of the instrument, but the shape of the body is less important than other factors such as the quality of the pickup. Electric violins often have a non-traditional, minimalist design, and there are many variations on the standard design, such as extra strings, frets, and machine heads.
The price of an electric violin is typically lower than that of a fine traditional violin, and electric violins are available at a range of price points. Musicians can choose from a variety of body shapes and colors to suit their personal taste and budget.
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Electric violins can have four, five, six, or seven strings
Electric violins are violins equipped with an electronic output of their sound. They are typically solid-bodied and can be made of wood, such as spruce and maple, or other materials like acrylic, Kevlar, glass, or carbon fibre. The choice of wood can make subtle differences in tone.
Five-string electric violins increase the sound possibilities and expand the musical repertoire. A classical violin bow can be used with a five-string violin, but when it comes to six or seven strings, the diameter of these strings is much larger, and a classical bow may struggle to produce a powerful sound. A carbon fibre bow with added weight at the tip can be used to overcome this issue.
The fingerboard design for a five-, six-, or seven-string violin is left to the manufacturer, with the goal of achieving a playable and comfortable instrument. The structural change to accommodate more strings results in a larger body and increased weight.
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Electric violins are often considered experimental instruments, with many variations on the standard design
Electric violins are considered exotic in the world of stringed instruments, especially when played by classical musicians. They are often seen as "experimental" instruments, being less established than the electric guitar or bass. Electric violins are violins equipped with an electronic output of their sound. The term most properly refers to an instrument intentionally made to be electrified with built-in pickups, usually with a solid body. Solid-body electric violins typically have a non-traditional, minimalistic design to keep weight down.
There are many variations on the standard design, such as frets, extra strings, machine heads, and "baritone" strings that sound an octave lower than normal. Acoustic 5-string violins are becoming more common, and it is not unusual for an electric violin to have 5, 6, 7 or more strings. Electric violins with solid bodies and piezoelectric pickups are used in some forms of rock music and jazz fusion, with the pickups plugged into instrument amplifiers and speakers to produce sound. The electric violin is more frequently used by non-classical musicians in popular genres such as metal, rock, hip hop, electronic music, pop, jazz/jazz fusion, country, new-age, and experimental music.
The electric violin takes the reach and range of an acoustic violin to a new level. They are more than the sum of their parts. With an acoustic violin, it is not just the spruce and maple used for the body and neck but how carefully they are crafted that makes the difference between an instrument that sounds great and one that doesn't. With an electric violin, the quality of the pickup element affects the tone more than the material of the body. Many models use traditional woods, like spruce and maple, but a skilled electric violin maker can make acrylic or Kevlar/carbon fibre sound very woody.
Electric violins have been used in one form or another since the 1920s. Jazz and blues artist Stuff Smith is generally credited as being one of the first performers to adapt pickups and amplifiers to violins. The electric violin is still considered a relatively new instrument, and its sound opens up exciting new artistic opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are wooden body electric violins available. Some violinists prefer the traditional look of a wooden body, and companies like Yamaha and Wood Violins offer electric violins with hollow chambers for a more acoustic sound.
Wooden body electric violins are often preferred by violinists who want to maintain the traditional aesthetic of the instrument. Wood choice and body shape can also create subtle differences in tone, and some violinists may prefer the feel of a wooden body.
Solid-body electric violins are more common as they are lightweight and can accommodate the extra tension caused by more strings. Wooden body electric violins may also be more prone to feedback issues when amplified, though this is less common with modern instruments.
There are several options available for purchasing a wooden body electric violin. Fiddlershop and Electric Violin Shop are two online retailers that offer a range of electric violins, including wooden options. You can also check with your local music stores or specialty violin shops to see what they have in stock or if they can special order one for you.
