The 10 Best Electric Violins 2021: Reviews by Review County

If you are looking for a best electric violin, you have come to the right place. If you are serious about gambling, it is not a decision you can make quickly or easily.
A lot of consideration is needed before making the final decision to buy this great electric instrument.

Searching the internet can often leave you empty-handed and you may even feel more confused after researching many pages and models of electric violins.

Here are the 10 Best Electric Violins.

Let’s take a look at the Best Electric Violins!

Finding the best was next up on our list of challenges. After several hours of testing, we decided on a few models that we think are suited.

A Comparison of our Favorite Best Paper Towel Holders

For many, pitting classic violins against electric violins is like comparing fine dining with street food – both are tasty but very dissimilar. Fortunately for us fiddle players each type shares the same core fundamentals of fingerboard, bridge and strings.

Electric violins have been around for almost 100 years – even longer than the guitar variety. Indeed, we’ve been amplifying our violins throughout the history of jazz, popular and rock music in one way or another ever since Stuff Smith began experimenting with National pickup systems in the 1930s.

A pure electric violin depends on an electric current to radiate sound, whereas an electro-acoustic instrument is a hybrid, retaining the traditional sound chamber of classic violins and working both plugged in or unplugged. Step back further still and you can fit a standard violin with a microphone for extra volume. I find there is a use for each variant in professional life, depending on the musical setting. In this article we’ll focus primarily on the full electric type.

A culture around the electric violin has sprung up quite suddenly in the past 25 years. Now it’s a global phenomenon. The trend for electric violins seems to have mushroomed in tandem with the growth of the internet and now there is a huge scene of electric violinists, many of whom are online performing pop and rock covers. To supply such demand, incredible things are happening in the electric violin making universe.

Witness the distinctive flying-V shaped Viper violin by Mark Wood, the fully MIDI synth-ready violins from Zeta, the exotic creations by mavericks like Australia’s David Guscott, and perhaps the most quintessential of futuristic violins – the 3DVarius, a 3D-printed premium electric violin from France. But with so much choice, selecting an instrument might seem an impossible task. My advice is to try out as many as you possibly can, either at a specialist music store like Moseley Violins in the UK and Electric Violin Shop in the US, or ask teachers, friends and colleagues if you can try theirs. What are the advantages of an electric violin? There are many:

• An electric violin has zero feedback at highly amplified sound levels
• You can play in loud environments, for example with electric guitars, drums and brass
• Using a robust electric violin preserves a valuable and delicate acoustic instrument from potential damage in hazardous workplaces
• Electric instruments come in a range of radical shapes and dazzling colours
• The wow factor of an electric violin can convey your individuality and personality and increase your stage presence
• You can extend the usual four-string range with instruments that boast five, six, seven or even eight strings
• Effects processing lets you explore new sound worlds, and looping devices give you the power to layer bass-lines, chords and melodies on your own
• You can practise using headphones without disturbing anyone around you

The one thing I’d say for sure about electric violins is they’re fun – so much fun. Imagine the dream violin you might unwrap at Christmas as a kid. It doesn’t look like one of those normal ones everybody has at school. Like the best noisy toys it goes super loud and impresses your friends, and that’s all before you’ve played a single tune. That’s the fun an electric violin can bring, but are they also sensible music making tools? I think all of the instruments mentioned here certainly are.

When choosing an electric instrument, a key factor to consider is how it is constructed, and whether it is handmade or produced in a factory. Depending on how much personalisation you need, Yamaha’s factory-produced instruments and others are perfectly serviceable – and popular – but the handmade route is best if you want customisation possibilities. Wooden models have an aesthetic appeal similar to that of classic violins and, correspondingly, feel more organic and warm to the touch. Acrylic designs have a space-age look and can be lighter and tougher. Some models are fretted, adding another kind of visual appeal, while others offer a fretted-looking finish if you prefer playing on a regular smooth fingerboard. Whichever material and design you prefer, it’s good if possible to try before you buy, so you can check out the instrument’s weight and balance, and make sure the fit is comfortable.

Eccentric Facts About Electric Violin

Everything has its perks and interesting points, and with this section, we have inculcated all the essential facts you need to know about electric violins. So, hold your horses and enjoy the interesting facts we have for you!

• String musical instruments have been around for a thousand years, and as far as electric violins are concerned, they have been around for 500 years
• Electric violins are used in rock, folk music, accentuate the electric bass, blues, metal, hip hop, pop, new-age, and country music
• It can be considered as a traditional violin with edgy designs and captivating colors
• There are multitudes of pickups involved in electric violins such as magnetic, electrodynamic, and piezoelectric
• Amplification of electric violin is similar to the amplification of guitar
• There are some pickups designed for electric violins, but they can be remodeled for guitar
• Electric violins are extensively used in classical and contemporary music
• The first violin was designed by Andrea Amati in 1500
• Playing the violin for an hour will help you lose 170 calories
• In the case of the electric violin, 70 pieces are put together to make an electric violin
• Violin is derived from the Medieval Latin word “vitula” which means stringed instrument
• The most expensive violin of the musical history is valued at $18 million, and it was made in 1741

What to Consider When Buying an Electric Guitar

If you are fascinated by the electric guitars and want to get on the bandwagon of creating melodious music, it is better to put your efforts and money in the right electric guitar. To help you find the perfect electric guitar, imply the following factors to make an informed decision.

• Budget – If you don’t have the right budget, finding the right electric violin will be tedious. Some violins are costing less than $700, which is hard to believe. The electric violin might work, but the sound production will not be optimal while the paint ruins your manicure. The least budget you need to set for electric violin needs to be at least $900
• Intent – This is another point to consider because of the intent behind opting for the electric violin. There can be multiple reasons you are investing in one, inclusive of;
  • Play for your solitude and satisfaction
  • Play it on the headphone – use an electric guitar with an effects pedal or mini-amplifier
  • Share the stage with musicians – use an electric violin with sound sensors
  • Ace the performance stage along
  • Experimenting with music
  • Switching from classical violin to electric violin – choose the customized electric violin

• Tone – It is wrong to say that the electric violin will produce a similar sound like a classical violin because the electric guitar has an electric bridge for sound creation. The sound of an electric guitar depends on;
  • type of pickup technology used
  • variety of sensors
  • types of strings
  • material or wood used in the guitar manufacturing
• Weight – Electric violins are made of solid wood with the bridge installed, making them heavy, and the average value is around 480 grams. In the case of four-string electric violin, the weight shouldn’t exceed weight range of 570 grams

Popular Electric Violin Manufacturers

We all expect to use the top-notch products, and when it comes to music, one needs to choose the right violin to create the sounds they dream of. With this list of top manufacturers, you will know what the industry players are with their exceptional electric violins!

• Kinglos

Arising from China, this company was launched in 2009 and is named Shanghai Kinglos Musical Instruments Co. Ltd. They are offering the electric violins, double bass, and electric cellos, in addition to the wide array of advanced and traditional musical instruments.

• Stagg Music

Launched in 1995, Stagg Music is working intending to empower and inspire a lifelong music journey rising from Belgium. Over the years, they have been branching out lie Yamaha by embarking on the manufacturing of guitars, folk instruments, orchestra instruments, and percussion instruments. However, they have been working on stands, tuners, cables, and adapters manufacturing.

• Barcus Berry

Founded back in 1963, John Berry and Les Carvus are the masterminds behind this colossal brand located in Louisville, Kentucky. They have been manufacturing electric violins, guitars, pianos, harps, brass, and woodwinds. Each musical instrument is made of American taste.

• Cremona

Launched by Richard Keldsen in the 1980s, the brand has coined its name in the manufacturing of top-notch musical instruments. The headquarters are located in San Fransisco with their ability to offer something for everyone, be it the designs or budget!

Verdict

Although electric violins may not really appeal or suit everybody, they remain one of the corner stone of string instruments, and the ones we have reviewed and featured in this list constitute some of the best in the market.

Music is for the soul even as the soul is for music and the only way to bring out the best in your son or daughter is get them best or at least, decent musical instruments to showcase their skills. And without controversy, electrical violins are examples of such instruments.

The electric violin is better and most intuitive way to woo the attention of kids in becoming interested in classical musical instruments, and when you consider the rich sound and resonance violins can produce, it’s a bet that they will easily capture and compel the interest of others, especially when incorporated with loop pedals and added effects.

You don’t have to be discouraged by the thought of the loud and endless sound of music, as these violins can be played in ‘silent mode.’ But never forget that when you are in the mode to party and the surroundings won’t mind a little breach of the peace, then plug your violin in that amp and hit the ceiling with riotous tones.

Electric violins

These are the solid bodied instruments, that are mainly made for added creativity and will have a more artificial sound than their acoustic counterparts. The electric violin is amplified through jack output and also allows for silent practice through an inbuilt headphone amp.

Pros

Ideal for performances within more contemporary genres of music such as jazz or rock, where the classical tone is not as crucial, the electric violins offer a range of creative features and world of experiments for the violinist who is looking to expand their range. The e-violin offers you the ability to amplify your instrument easily using a jack to jack instrument cable to let it rip, or, using the inbuilt headphone amp, you can practice silently. Some violins will offer the option to practice along to a backing track. You can also use things like various effects and loop pedals, similar to an electric guitar, that will further expand your options and range of sounds.

Recording and amplification is made easy with these violins and some of the e-violin models offer a very unique, eye-catching look that is a great spin on the classical instrument. Most electric violins will be quieter than a muted acoustic during silent practice and some will even produce no sound at all.

Cons

Most musicians will not recommend electric violins as a beginner instrument and most teachers would rather teach you on an acoustic. This is because electric violins will not produce the same, resonant sound of an acoustic violin purely because the sound travels through wires and technology rather than resonates itself from a hollow wooden body. The feel of an electric violin also will not be the same. Unamplified, electric violins will produce a very muted, tinny sound that is not great for practicing. If you are looking to perform in a very traditional environment and your repertoire consists of mainly classical music, you are better off opting for an acoustic violin that will fit in much better in terms of its sound, looks and also will not require amplification, making the set up much and transportation easier.

The one thing I’d say for sure about electric violins is they’re fun – so much fun

One of the big choices is the number of strings to go for. For a first instrument, a regular four-string violin offers all you need. I might suggest saving an extended range violin, with five, six or seven strings, until you’re ready to bring a second electric instrument home.

Then there are some technical considerations. Check that the locations of the jack socket and headphone socket don’t hamper the player or bow. Common placements are underneath, leading away from the body, towards the body or vertically; some sockets are neatly integrated into the chin rest. It’s worth considering the positioning of the tuning gear too – you’ll find that many new models of electric violin come fitted with innovative geared tuning pegs.

Inevitably, price may be a deciding factor, but be careful – an electric violin is a precision-made instrument, so even if there are many attractively priced instruments advertised online, remember that you get what you pay for. Many makers offer their instruments as part of an entire kit (violin, case, bow, rosin, cable). Some, such as Ted Brewer, make instruments that include such eye-catching gimmickry as flashing LED lights when played.

For this article I was fortunate to be able to try a broad representation of the electric violins available today from around the world. The UK is home to an abundance of the world’s top innovators and I was lucky enough to include work by David Bruce Johnson of Violectra and Paul Bridgewater of Bridge. Other violins came from the US, the Czech Republic, Germany and France.

Above all, I was struck by how completely different each of these violins felt under the chin, and this reminded me of my beginnings. When I started violin aged four with the Suzuki method I set about building a violin from household scraps – a school ruler taped to a cereal box for the neck and soundbox, and to simulate a bow, a rubber hoop suspended, pendulum-like, from a length of kitchen string. Such fun and visceral early experiences helped me towards an appreciation of the consideration of the physiological side of the violin–human relationship – something which is of paramount importance when approaching any new instrument.

EndNote

We hope by now you are informed about the electric violins that you can purchase, or order online with peace of mind.

Electric violins are a great way to introduce yourself or your child to the world of music. That is why we listed the best electric violin for kids that are available in the market – as of 2020.

However, if you’re interested in classical violins for your kid, then you can also check them out in our article on the best violins for kids.

FAQ

Can you plug headphones into an electric violin?

You can plug electric violins with headphones! Regardless of the model, the pickup, the headphones. Electric violins can all be used with headphones but not all of them connect with the instrument the same way

Can electric violin work without amp?

Although an electric guitar has no sound box. 
Mechanical violins need to amplify it through an external device such as an amp or speakers to hear the sound that has been played. By comparison, the audience will not hear an electric violin that is not wired to an amp

Do you need Rosin for an electric violin?

Electric violin instruments use normal strings under normal tension. Therefore, any traditional horsehair bow and rosin combo will work.

Why do electric violins have 5 strings?

To boost the stability of the C string the body may be slightly wider and deeper. This features a bigger peg box for fifth string to handle. A five string violin is smaller than a viola though larger than a traditional violin.