String Electric Violin

Yamaha vs Fender

People ask me all the time why we don't talk about Electric Violins? Arent they collectible too? The electric violin was often seen as an experimental instrument, so after recieving many emails from our readers, I have decided to test out and review a couple of electric violins. But first lets talk in general about the electric violin. Played like a regular violin with an accoustic output for its sound. Acoustic 5-string violins exist, but it is much more common for an electric violin to have 5, 6 or 7 strings than an acoustic instrument. The typical solid body also accommodates the extra tension caused by more strings without stressing the instrument too much. The extra strings are usually a low C string for 5-strings, a low C and low F for 6, and a low C, F and B-flat for 7. There's lots of information for you at electricfiddler.com - they boast about bring you the last news and info from the electric violin world.

Since my website is site is focused on accoustic wooden violins; we cant review all the various models of electric violins. I will however review a couple of 4 string more traditional violins and a couple of popular 5 string instruments.

Lets look at the Fender FV3 Deluxe - 4 string Electric Violin

Fender FV3 Deluxe gives you an ebony fingerboard, bridge. Great chin rest, and tuners complement its solid flamed maple top, back, and sides. A piezo pickup provides rich, clean fiddle tone. This instument includes a professional hardshell violin case that features a hygrometer. There is space for 4 bows, a tube to hold high-quality strings, and a genuine horsehair hex-shaped violin bow. Here are the specs.

Series Fender violin Series	FV3 Deluxe Violin 095-0030-(232)
Body Color	Style Electric Violin (232)Sunburst
Strings Length	13.12"
Neck	Flame Maple
Body	Maple / Body Depth 1.43"
Finger Board/Peg	Ebony Tuning Pegs
Bridge	Maple
Side Body	Solid Flame Maple
Chin Rest/Tail Piece	Ebony
Tuning Adjuster
Sensor	Piezo Pickup
Electric Control	Passive Volume and Tone Controls
In/Out Jacks
Power Supply
Standard Accessories	Cordura Covered Hard Shell Case,Horse-tail Hair Bow, P/N 0055064000, Rosin, Ebony Chin Rest, Padded Shoulder Rest
Optional Accessories

Lets look now at a Yamaha SV-200 plus SV-120 & SV-120s 4 String Electric Violin

The SV-200 uses a two pickup configuration to double the “resolution” of the pickup system for greater dynamic range. Pickups are mounted under the bridge with one under the leg on the high string side, the other under the leg on the low string side. The greater resolution allows the instrument to respond in greater detail, providing the performer with the ability to play from pianissimo to fortissimo with greater clarity and ease.

	SV-200	SV-120	SV-120S
Body Color	Brown Black Cardinal Red Ocean Blue	Brown Black Candy Apple Red
Strings Length	328mm 4/4 size
Neck	Maple
Body	Spruce
Finger Board/Peg	Ebony
Bridge	Maple
Side Body	Molded Plastics
Chin Rest/Tail Piece	Ebony	Molded Plastics
Tuning Adjuster	1 (for E-string)	4 (for each strings)
Sensor	Piezo Pickup (2pcs.)	Piezo Pickup
Electric Control	Volume EQ Mode Switch EQ Control	Master Volume Aux-In Volume Reverb
In/Out Jacks	Hesdphone Out Line Out	Headphone Out, Line Out, Aux-In
Power Supply	DC9V, S-006P 1pc.	SUM-3 (AA) 1.5V battery 2pcs. or AC adapter (optional)
Standard Accessories	• Earphone • DC9V, S-006P battery 1pc.	• Earphone • Phone Cable • SUM-3 (AA) 1.5V battery 2pcs. • Shoulder Rest	• Earphone • Phone Cable • SUM-3 (AA) 1.5V battery 2pcs. • Shoulder Rest • Bow • Rosin • Hardcase
Optional Accessories	-	AC adapter PA-3 or PA-3B