electic violin
Benjamin J. Lively 99
Hello. I play violin in a band and I'm wondering what people think of
electric violins. I've seen a number of different ones (in The Woodwind
and the Brasswind, etc.) and would like to know the differences between
the models out there, or the characteristics of electric violins in
general. I know that Mark O'Connor, Ponty, and other violinists use
them--what are the advantages/disadvantages? I appreciate any help.
Thanks.
Ben
Tom Ginsberg
In article
<Pine.A41.3.95.970403...@cougar.middlebury.edu>, "Benjamin
I assume your talking about the Zeta series of violins ?
Speaking from personal experience, I've been using a Zeta Jazz 5-string for
10 yrs (currently with a jazz rock fusion band) and have been absolutely
satisfied with it's performance. I did have an occasion to play the Strados
in concert and highly recommend this model over the Jazz if you don't need
midi application.
Even though the prices are high and the company support is a little flakey
(they're out in CA) the product is superior.
Tom
--
Tom Ginsberg
tom...@clark.net
jo...@afm.org
Benjamin J. Lively 99 wrote:
>
> Hello. I play violin in a band and I'm wondering what people think of
> electric violins. I've seen a number of different ones (in The Woodwind
> and the Brasswind, etc.) and would like to know the differences between
> the models out there, or the characteristics of electric violins in
> general. I know that Mark O'Connor, Ponty, and other violinists use
> them--what are the advantages/disadvantages? I appreciate any help.
> Thanks.
>
Check out the website "Bowed Electricity" at
http://www.digitalrain.net/bowed/
for all sorts of information re : electric violin
good luck....joel
Michael Henderson
Besides the ZETA, there are a bunch of traditional and off-the-wall
designs being made. There's a pretty good resource out there for all of
this:
http://www.digitalrain.net/bowed/
mikey
Vincent A. Calcaterra
Benjamin J. Lively 99 wrote:
>
> Hello. I play violin in a band and I'm wondering what people think of
> electric violins. I've seen a number of different ones (in The Woodwind
> and the Brasswind, etc.) and would like to know the differences between
> the models out there, or the characteristics of electric violins in
> general. I know that Mark O'Connor, Ponty, and other violinists use
> them--what are the advantages/disadvantages? I appreciate any help.
> Thanks.
>
> Ben
There are now quite a few different electric fiddles on the market. I
personally own a T.F. Barrett, and an Eric Jensen. I like these two
violins, they both have transducer bridges by Rich Barbara, and each
has it's qualities. I've played a couple of Zeta's and they were O.K.,
but I think you should shop around. Definitely do your homework, and
check out the Bowed Electricity site that Joel mentioned. I don't know
if these additional makers are listed there, so I will mention them.
Rich Barbara now has a line of instruments as well as making one of the
best transducers available.
Jordan violins are similiar in design to Jensen, with some differences.
Generally there are several characteristics about electric fiddles I
should mention, that differentiates them from acoustic fiddles, and from
each other.
Zeta: Solid body with either piano pegs in the head and fine tuners on
all the strings, or the more traditional set up.
Piezo bridge utilizing two elements under each string in a
metal bridge making a virtually noisless response (bow noise
eliminated), but looses character (my opinion). Production
instrument, limited choices, expensive.
Barrett: Body comprised of a top and bottom plate with
suspension members between, supposed to be more
responsive than solid
body. (haven't tried it) Traditional peghead and
tailpiece. Barbara transducer bridge using one
element under each string in a wooden bridge, more noisy than
Zeta, but sound like a violin, more resonance and warmth.
Custom made instrument, you tell Tucker Barret what you want
on your instrument, for example, he will mount a Zeta bridge
if you so desire. I had him put a Flesch style chinrest
on mine.
Jensen: Solid body with mini guitar tuners behind the bridge. Very
effective for moving the weight from out on the fiddle to just
over the shoulder rest which is also a totally new design.
Eric will use any pickup you want, but I think he favors Barbara
at this point. He will also do pretty much anything you want in
terms of type of wood, and electronics. I know that he
now offers a wireless version.
Generally I think it is a better idea to commission an instrument from
a maker, rather than to go and but a stock instrument from Alverez or
Zeta. The price of a semi-custom Jensen will probably be lower than the
price of a stock Zeta simply because of the number of palms that are
greased in the process.
If you don't mind using your acoustic violin in your band, I think you
should also consider the Bowtronics pickup. I just had some mail from
a violinist that mounted one on her fiddle and likes it very much. This
is a magnetic pickup, so it doesn't affect the bridge at all, but you
must use steel strings for it to work, in other words, you cant use
Dominants or gut.
good luck,
-vince
Joel Glassman
"Vincent A. Calcaterra" <vinc...@erols.com> wrote:
>... I think you should also consider the Bowtronics pickup. I just had some mail from
>a violinist that mounted one on her fiddle and likes it very much. This
>is a magnetic pickup, so it doesn't affect the bridge at all, but you
>must use steel strings for it to work, in other words, you cant use
>Dominants or gut.
I tried this out and was pleased with the sound--one problem:
The bridge on my violin is too low to mount the pickup! Very
frustrating. Checkout their web page:
http://members.aol.com/bowtronics/index.htm
(I have no connection with this firm) Joel
Robert Hampf HIST
Vincent A. Calcaterra (vinc...@erols.com) wrote:
:
: There are now quite a few different electric fiddles on the market. I
: personally own a T.F. Barrett, and an Eric Jensen. I like these two
: violins, they both have transducer bridges by Rich Barbara, and each
: has it's qualities. I've played a couple of Zeta's and they were O.K.,
Do you get an electic violin by using a Barbara bridge on an accustic
violin? Is it possible? Would you say it's a solution for the
fiscally callenged?
rh
Vincent A. Calcaterra
don't think this is the best idea since you will sacrifice the
acoustical sound of the instrument for an electrical output. It will
however net you an "electric" violin. ;)
I don't understand the question about this being a solution for the
physically challenged, though if the spelling is actually correct,
(that is fiscal as in money) I guess it would be a solution for a person
needing an electric fiddle, that had an acoustic, and only a couple of
hundred bucks to spend.
-vince
Mark Chung
There's also the L.R. Baggs pickup which is built into the bridge and is
claimed not to sacrifice acoustic output (I can't verify this). Although
I don't own one, I tried it on someone else's instrument and got results
superior to the clip-on type of pickups (though how much of that is the
instrument is hard to tell). I have not compared it with a Barbera
mounted on an acoustic.
If you want a more accurate acoustic sound in lower volume situations,
you want a good quality microphone, not a pickup.
Mark
Lee Brenkman
In article <5ie038$3...@josie.abo.fi>, rha...@news.abo.fi (Robert Hampf
HIST) wrote:
,
>
> Do you get an electic violin by using a Barbara bridge on an accustic
> violin? Is it possible? Would you say it's a solution for the
> fiscally callenged?
It's possible, but it does affect the projection and sound of the instrument
a little bit when you play it acoustically. You also have to explaing to
other ochestra members what those "things" on your bridge and tailpiece
are :-).
The usual solution for professionals is to put the Barbera on a good,
but not really expen$ive instrument and keep the fine old Italian
fiddle for the acoustic playing. Not an answer for the fiscally challenged.
If you only play with amplification occasionally the Fishman transducer
may be a better choice at this time. It goes into your existing bridge with
little or no alteration and can be easily removed when you don't need it.
In my opinion the Baggs and Barbera bridges sound better overall, but I
have several of the Fishmans because the band I work for occasionally
has to use substitute string players and it isn't an option to make a new
bridge for a show or two.
Cheers,
Lee Brenkman
Cheers,
Lee Brenkman