[lotas]

I'm a huge Dave Matthews Band fan and I've been a guitar player for almost 5years now...I'm looking to fiddle around (no pun intended ) on a violin...and I'd like to have my main influence be Boyd Tinsley (the DMB violin player) and I wanted to get an electric violin like his. I found his main is a signature model Zeta...so as of now that's the only brand I know of. Looking at the prices of those new I think I'll be getting a much cheaper, used violin. I'm looking to spend around $700 - $1000. thanks if you have any suggestions on what to look at or stay away from.

[dogpoo]

The violin is really quite different than a guitar, but good luck on your venture. You're going to sound absolutely terrible for a long time, but persevere and you'll improve.

As for electric violins: A friend of mine owns a nice Ashton electric violin, it's not the greatest, but it does the job well enough. You can sound a lot better with a better instrument, but it only plays as good as you can play. Don't go for something over the top good, but a decent violin would be a good thing to go for. Beginner violins are more often than not horrible. Shop around, go to a music store and see what they suggest, and good luck again. Remember, the wailing cats will go away if you work hard enough. But take pity on your neighbours and practice where they can't hear you for awhile.

[kkatarn327]

Violin was my first instrument, just keep in mind it's a lot harder than guitar.

Anyways, I was looking into Fender electrics myself. I've played a few, they're great. They are only about $500 or so.

[AcousticSmash]

There arent many electric violin's that will sound too great for that price. If you really want one than start counting your pennies and get a really good one. Probably the best are Zeta's, mind you a good one costs a fair amount of coin, at least 1500 dollars but they dont suck thats for sure. Boyd Tinsley and Jean Luc Ponty play them, and if you are familiar with either of them, you would understand why they are so good. Remeber that good violins are always going to cost a fair amount of coin regardless as to whether they are electric or not. Good ones need dual piezo pickups for each string for an authentic sound, which is something Zeta provides. It all depends though, Fender's are ok but they odds are they wont compare to a Zeta. If you are just going to be noodling and stuff go for the Fender, its probably your best option really.

And if you continue to play the violin you could always just get a Zeta later down the line, but their really good ones cost 2000 dollars or more

[lotas]

Thanks guys. Yeah Boyd is my main influence so I really want a Zeta...but I just remembered my brother used to play violin and I think his old violin ist still at home somewhere.

My question is, how much of a difference is it between electric violin and regular? Is it eqiuvalent to the electric/acoustic guitar differences? Thanks for the help

[AcousticSmash]

Only real difference is that they are built differently and have piezo pickups in them, there really isnt much of a difference otherwise.

[jaws0903]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YPwNJsi6n38

Play that violin!

[kkatarn327]

Only real difference is that they are built differently and have piezo pickups in them, there really isnt much of a difference otherwise.

Solid vs hollow, can't forget that.

[Peachslide]

you can play an electric one through a wah pedal

[bizonapage]

...so as of now that's the only brand I know of. Looking at the prices of those new I think I'll be getting a much cheaper, used violin. I'm looking to spend around $700 - $1000. thanks if you have any suggestions on what to look at or stay away from.

There are a few violins in that range on Amazon. Brands include Yamaha, Barcus Berry and NS Design. Has anyone tried these before?
If you want to browse, I've grouped some together in this Amazon electric violin shop.

This post has been edited by bizonapage: 16 April 2009 - 02:21 AM