I`m looking into getting an electric violin. I`m just wanting some opinions of ppl who own or have played electric violins. How do they compare to regular violins? Do they sound as well acoustically or not? And are there any major differences?

Thanx!
Rach

I have an Electric Violin. It is very nice in tune. To me I think it depends on the type of amp you buy because I have tried out 3 makes of electric violins, all 3 on 3 different amps and it ended up that the sound was better on the most expensive amp. Electric violins can be played without an amp. Also to me, its not acoustic sounding, if you want an acoustic sounding violin then you could consider a certain brand. My Ted Brewer Electric Violin, its acrylic, is very nice and I have it closest to an acoustic sounding violin and I can set it to not. My Sonata Electric Violin to me...well...gives more of the "electric" violin sound. Finally my 3rd Electric Violin, a Maestro Electric Violin is very nice to. Basically electric violins are nice and have a great sound, if you want an electric violin that is acoustic sounding then research on certain brands.

Electric violins can be played without an amp - You mean, without being plugged in? In which case, what is the point. The sound of an electric violin is never going to complete with an acoustic, when not plugged in.

As for amps, this depends on the amp you use. Don`t go for a guitar amp, as this has a limited frequency range due to the bandwidth of the speaker/driver used. Go for an "acoustic" amp, which has a tweeter or horn to give you the top end frequencies.

I prefer to go straight into the PA system, called DIing, with my 3 Bridge electric violins.

Lots of chat about electrics/amp/effects on www.fiddleforum.com

Mark.

I have a normal violin, but am looking at getting a Violin with electric pick-ups so it can be electric AND Normal.

Or, go for a proper electro acoustic with custom pickups, like the new Bridge one.

www.bridgeinstruments.com

I`m looking into the same thing. There are things called pick ups that you attach to your violin and then you plug into an amp or "pre-amp". I went to www.fiddlechicks.com to learn about amps pick ups and other electric add ons.

~james~

yamada electric violins - whats your opinion of them, at the moment im strapped for cash and its the only one thats near enough in my price range, at the moment im using an acoustic violin with a pick up on it i did have a violinissimo violin Transducer (from K and K Sound Systems) pick up but it seemed to have a bigger feed back problem than the bottle top pick up i`ve got (bought for £30.00), the problem is that i`m in a band [called herebedragons(.info)]and their getting impatient with my feedback problems.

snipper