Choosing an Instrument

Choosing an Instrument:

The first choice in choosing an electric string instrument shold always be the tone.  Just like purchasing an acoustic instrument, your tone is everything.  Of course, other issues come into play.  They include cost, playability and ergonomics, ease of use, design, and quality of construction/durability.  Let's look at each of these factors in depth.

Tone:

The pickup system that an electric instrument employs is the key to the tone of the instrument.

There are really two catagories of pickup systems.  Passive instruments operate without the benefit of any added power or "preamplification."  These instruments send less signal to the amplifier and can tend to have a thinner tone.  This can often be combatted with a good EQ applied to the instrument or amp.  (See our "Effects Processing" page.) These instruments also have fewer features than their "active" counterparts. One may purchase an external  preamp for thses instrments as well. Passive instruments also tend to be less expensive.   We recommend the NS Design WAV violin as an excellent passive electric violin with a very natural tone.  "Acitve" instruments have an internal "pre-amp" and run on the power of a 9 volt battery.  These instruments tend to have a warmer sound and a wider frequency range.  They often have a warmer tone as well. The only real way to make a decision is to play the instruments.

At the end of the day, all brands of electric bowed strings use different pick-up systems.  No two are identical.  And, as a result, they all really do have a distinctive sound.  Some tend to sound more natural, like a tradition violin with similar tone quality and overtones.  Others, by design, sound more electric as a result of the frequency response of the pickup system.  I often describe this as a "purified" violin sound.  Still others may have some variation of which overtones are emphasized, resulting in some other unique tone quality.  Many of these decision are quite subjective and there is room for a variety of opinions on this subject.

Always remember that the tone of the instrument the first time that it is plugged in can be altered significantly with some educated manipulation of the EQ on the amplifier and/or the addition of a quality preamp.

Ergonomics/Playability:

In addition to the tone, one of the primary factors in choosing an elecrric instrument is the ergonomics or playability.  Since thses instruments come in all shapes and sizes and are made of a variety of materials, they all feel quite different when played.  they vary greatly in weight, balance, and feel.  some require the use of a shoulder-rest such as a Kun or Wolfe and others come with that as part of the design.  Materials include solid wood, a hollow wood core, molded plastic, polyurethane, and others.  And, of course, the shapes are all over the map. 

Just as in choosing a traditional acoustic violin, one must play these instruments before making a final decision.  Designers go to great lengths to achieve playability of their instrments and some are, frankly, more successful than others.

One other note - As an long-time electric violinist, I spent many years playing on a relatively heavy and unbalanced instrument.  It looked great and sounded great, but was a little heavier than my acoustic violin.  I am paying for it now.  I have a great deal of left shoulder pain when I play and I attribute it to those many hours of playing an instrument that was too heavy for me under those conditions.  Be careful!!  There are good ones out there!!  I am currently playing the NS Design CR Series instruments and they are fantastic from this perspective!

Ease of Use:

Ask questions like: Does this instrument fit into a traditional violin case?  Does it stay in relatively stable tune? How often do I need to change the battery?  Are there small parts that may be lost?  Is it difficult to change the strings or battery? 

Design:

This is really the aesthetic question regaring the instruments. Some are designed to look very traditional, others are VERY rock and roll, others have lights, unique shapes, beautiful woods, and other unique design features.  I think that for most of us educators, this may not be the most important feature of the violin, but it certainly is important to our students.  Make sure that this is part of the decision, but not ALL of the decision.  In all honesty, the gimmicks wear off and ultimately, the tone will keep you and your studnets coming back!

Quality/Durability:

Cost: Wow - what a range!!  I have recently seen student set-ups for under $300.00 and one can certainly spend upwards of $3000.00 for the top pro models of electric violin.  Be sure to balance the cost factor with all of the other components.  I can't tell you how many times I have heard from students that they bought a cheap electric violin and never play it because it is constantly broke or it sounds terrible.  For students: check out the NS Design WAV violins - they will be out by late spring and willllist for $749.00 and have a street price under $600.00. I have one that I use with students and it meets all of my criteria for an excellent student instrment.

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