Any differences between acoustic violin and electric violin?

January 17, 2010 at 11:59 AM

Hi, does anyone play the electric violin?I'm a classical violin player, but would like to ask what is the difference between the acoustic and electric and also how to handle the electric violin?Are the 2 instruments using the same type of bow?

From sara edin
Posted on January 17, 2010 at 7:50 PM

Hello Cathy,

You do use the same bow, yes. I prefer a quite stiff bow for electric.

There are two kinds of electric violin, electric and half acoustic. Half acoustic is like a normal violin which has been rebuilt and fitted with a pick up microphone.

Electric violins have solid bodies and have very little acoustic sound, it all goes through the pick up. This can take some getting used to since you are hearing the sound out of your speaker, not from the instrument. Also, they are usually heavier, clumsier and not as well balanced as a normal violin.

If I want to sound like a real violin/fiddle when playing live with a rock band then I use a half acoustic. It will sound warmer and more natural through the sound system even though it won´t sound very nice when you play it without the amp. But electric violins are better if you want to use effects.

I can´t tell you who is a good maker of electric violins since I haven´t looked around for a few years and I know there are lots more than when I got mine, a Zeta violin.

You will probably need a good pre amp and an equalizer to be able to work with your sound if you want to play electric violin.

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Any differences between acoustic violin and electric violin?

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