Beatrice Lang
Electric violins are designed to be played quietly, without disturbing others. They are a good option for those who want to practice without bothering others. Silent violins have a headphone jack for private practice, and an output jack to connect to an amplifier for performances. They are not completely silent, as the sound from the strings' vibrations can be heard, but they are much quieter than acoustic violins. Yamaha's Silent Violin line, for example, offers a range of features such as built-in reverb effects, lightweight designs, and removable chin rests for player comfort. The Yamaha Electric Violin, on the other hand, has a simple design with no built-in effects or tone control. It produces an open, wooden sound due to its all-wooden construction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sound | Flat, clean, and quiet |
| Sound control | Built-in reverb, distortion, and delay |
| Pickup | Strong output |
| Amplification | Possible through external amp |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Weight | 500-530 grams |
| Design | Slim, swooping, mobius strip frame |
| Preamp | Onboard, studio-quality |
| Price | Under $1,000 |
| Strings | 4 or 5 |
| Color options | Brown, black, and red |
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What You'll Learn
- Yamaha SV120 Silent Violin: sound quality through headphones is decent, but it's heavier than an acoustic violin
- Bellafina SSE violin: quiet enough that it can't be heard within 15-20 feet
- Yamaha YEV: the first electric violin introduced outside of the 'Silent Violin' line
- Yamaha SV-200: pricier than the SV-130, but has a studio-quality onboard preamp
- Yamaha SV-250 and SV-255: two of the lightest electric violins on the market
Yamaha SV120 Silent Violin: sound quality through headphones is decent, but it's heavier than an acoustic violin
The Yamaha SV120 Silent Violin is an innovative design that retains only a single side of the instrument's body. The violin was designed to be as quiet as possible while maintaining the violin's legendary playability, refinement, and desirability. Yamaha was able to reduce the size of the soundbox and remove one entire side of the instrument's body to reduce resonant amplification. The result is an instrument that produces an acoustic sound that is barely a whisper, allowing violinists to practice without disturbing others.
The SV120 features a headphone jack for quiet practice, and when plugged in, players hear themselves in the rich, virtual environment of a resonant concert hall. This feature, along with its sleek outline, removable chin rest, and ability to attach any standard 4/4 violin shoulder rest, offers a comfortable and immersive playing experience.
While the sound quality through headphones is decent, allowing for quiet practice and amplified performance, the SV120 is heavier than an acoustic violin. This weight is due in part to the electronics, which were removed from the instrument in some later models like the SV-250 and SV-255, which are two of the lightest electric violins on the market.
The SV120 was designed with playability in mind, and its weight is a small trade-off for the other features it offers, such as its ability to reduce sound without compromising the natural playing experience. The SV120 is a versatile instrument that allows violinists to practice or play almost anywhere and at any time.
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Bellafina SSE violin: quiet enough that it can't be heard within 15-20 feet
Electric violins are a great way to practice without disturbing others. Silent violins, in particular, are designed for this purpose, with some models featuring a built-in headphone jack so that only the player can hear the music. However, it is important to note that silent violins are not truly silent, as they produce sound from the vibration of the strings. This sound can be heard by people in close proximity, especially in quiet environments.
The Bellafina SSE violin is a popular choice for those seeking a quiet electric violin. A user has reported that the instrument is quiet enough that it cannot be heard within 15-20 feet. While it may not be suitable for playing in a room full of sleeping people, it offers a level of quietness that is suitable for townhouses or thin walls.
The Bellafina SSE violin is a versatile instrument that can be used for practice, studio, or stage performances. It comes with a 1/4" output that can be plugged into most guitar amps or PA systems, volume control, and an earphone jack for private practice. The SSE violin also features an upper-left bout for position playing and both lower bouts, allowing players to use their current shoulder rest.
In addition to its functionality, the Bellafina SSE violin offers a range of string options, including 4-string and 5-string configurations. The 5-string version covers the full range of a violin and viola, making it extremely versatile for various musical styles such as rock, jazz, and classical. The outfit also includes an Aux In feature, allowing players to accompany their favourite music while practicing.
Overall, the Bellafina SSE violin is a great choice for those seeking a quiet electric violin that offers versatility, functionality, and privacy for practice and performance. While no violin can be truly silent due to the physical vibrations produced, the Bellafina SSE violin comes close, providing a pleasant playing experience without disturbing others.
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Yamaha YEV: the first electric violin introduced outside of the 'Silent Violin' line
Yamaha's YEV series is the company's first electric violin to be introduced outside of the Silent Violin line. The YEV series includes the YEV 104 Electric 4-String Violin and the YEV 105 Electric 5-String Violin, which offer high-quality sound and playability at a very economical price point. The YEV series is designed for novice players or those looking for an easy entry into the electric violin world. It boasts Yamaha's unique infinity loop-like body shape, incorporating the mathematical fluidity of a Möbius strip while retaining the essential elements of a classical violin, including the scroll, pegs, neck, fingerboard, and chin rest.
The YEV series provides a more open sound and more control from your amp compared to the SV series. While the SV series offers a flat, clean sound with more control on the instrument itself, the YEV series allows for greater flexibility in sound modification. The YEV series does not include a headphone output, as it is designed specifically for performance.
The YEV series comes in two colour options: natural and black. Yamaha offers a YEV + gear package that includes the violin, bow, case, amp, looper, effects, and cables. The YEV series is priced at well under $1,000, making it an attractive option for entry-level buyers.
The Yamaha YEV series electric violins combine the natural tone, feel, and playability of a traditional acoustic instrument with the advantages of modern electronics. The YEV series violins are intelligently designed to meet the needs of both classical musicians and gigging professionals, providing a lightweight and comfortable option for players.
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Yamaha SV-200: pricier than the SV-130, but has a studio-quality onboard preamp
The Yamaha SV-200 Studio Solid-Body Violin is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality electric violin with a range of features. While it is pricier than the SV-130, the SV-200 offers a studio-quality onboard preamp, providing exceptional value for its price. This preamp facilitates a great amplified tone and enables headphone practice, making it a versatile instrument for both practice and performance.
One of the standout features of the Yamaha SV-200 is its dual pickup system, which offers double resolution and an expanded dynamic range. This system allows the violin to capture subtle nuances in your playing, ensuring that your performance, from pianissimo to fortissimo, is accurately reproduced. The pickups also work in harmony with a special EQ circuit that isolates and controls the instrument's upper harmonics. This provides you with the flexibility to adjust the sound according to your playing style, room acoustics, and amplification equipment.
The SV-200 is designed with the familiar reference points of an acoustic violin, ensuring a smooth transition for players accustomed to traditional instruments. Its oval-shaped neck features a specially formulated finish that feels identical to that of an acoustic violin. Additionally, the frame extends past the chin rest, allowing for the use of standard chin/shoulder rests.
While the Yamaha SV-200 is an exceptional instrument, it's important to note that it is not a completely "silent" violin. Even with the use of headphones, some sound will still be emitted from the strings' vibrations. However, it is much quieter than an acoustic violin and can be practised in a room without disturbing others in close proximity. Overall, the Yamaha SV-200 is a fantastic choice for violinists seeking a versatile, high-quality electric violin that offers both amplified performance and silent practice capabilities.
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Yamaha SV-250 and SV-255: two of the lightest electric violins on the market
The Yamaha SV-250 and SV-255 are two of the lightest electric violins on the market. They are part of Yamaha's Silent Violin series, designed to meet the needs of professional performers who desire an amplified violin sound for all styles of music. The SV-250 and SV-255 have the same weight as a traditional acoustic violin, making them highly comfortable for players.
The Yamaha SV-250 Silent Violin Pro is a solid-body electric violin that offers a realistic acoustic tone. It features a hollow chamber that produces a natural-sounding resonance, and its dual pickup design captures the nuances of the player's performance. The SV-250's streamlined control box includes essential tools such as volume control, a 2-band EQ, headphone output, line output, and XLR output. Its weight and dimensions make it easy for traditional violinists to transition to this electric violin.
The Yamaha SV-255 Silent Violin Pro is the 5-string version of the SV-250, offering even more versatility for performers. It features a new body design with a hollow resonating chamber, a spruce top, and a flamed maple back. The SV-255 has double pickups: a bridge pickup and a body pickup, along with a 'blend' control box that allows players to adjust the output signal from each pickup. This external control box reduces the weight of the violin to approximately 500 grams, making it exceptionally lightweight and comfortable to play.
Both the SV-250 and SV-255 are crafted from seasoned flamed maple and have a spruce top, giving them a beautiful appearance. They also feature an ebony fingerboard and pegs, further enhancing their aesthetic appeal. These violins set a new benchmark in amplified violin performance and silent practice, providing excellent sound quality and player comfort.
The Yamaha SV-250 and SV-255 Silent Violins are highly regarded by musicians, offering a seamless blend of traditional violin playing and modern electric violin capabilities. Their lightweight design, exceptional sound quality, and innovative features make them top choices for performers seeking the best electric violins on the market.
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Frequently asked questions
A silent violin is designed to be quiet. Without a resonating chamber, it doesn't produce much sound when played. However, you can listen to your playing through headphones. Silent violins have an input jack, so you can play along with your favourite CDs without disturbing anyone. They also have an output jack, so you can plug into an amplifier and play gigs.
The Yamaha SILENT Violin provides a wide variety of sound control options on the instrument itself, from a flat, unprocessed sound to built-in reverb. The output of the SILENT Violin pickup is strong, so it lends itself to effects like distortion or delay. The Yamaha Electric Violin, on the other hand, has a simple, passive pickup with no built-in effects or tone control. It has a straight signal output to an amp and an open, wooden sound.
No, they are not. Even a solid wood body will amplify sound a little. Anything vibrating at the rate of a violin string will make an audible noise. The sound of the strings and bow is quite loud, and the violin will be vaguely heard through thin walls. A brass or metal mute will make the violin quieter, but rubber mutes are less effective.
The Yamaha SV-200 is an improvement on the SV-100 series, with a sleeker design and a traditional removable chin rest. It has a dual-piezo body pickup, providing an even, balanced, neutral tone. It also has a powerful studio-quality onboard preamp. The Yamaha SV-250 and SV-255 are two of the lightest electric violins on the market and are aimed at classical musicians who want a natural-sounding electric violin. The YSV104 is designed solely for quiet earphone practice and weighs about the same as an average acoustic violin.
