Our very close affiliate store, Electric Violin Shop, located in the same building as us, sells and repairs all manner of electrified string instruments including violins, bass, violas, etc., as well as electronics associated with amplifiers and wave-shaping technology.

This page displays a brief slection of interesting samples from the main Electric Violin Shop website.

Helping you find the perfect electric violin, electric viola, electric cello or electric upright bass is our specialty. We have the largest and most varied inventory of electric bowed strings anywhere, as well as amplifiers, pickups and effects processors that sound good with the amplified violin family. Happy customers from around the USA, and as far away as New Zealand, have encouraged us to expand our services. So, we have concentrated all our information in our ElectricViolinShop.com website.

Except for references to other companies, links from this page will take you to the appropriate page on the EVS website.

Happy exploring! And remember, you can call EVS at 919-806-3311 to tap into our expertise with the many makers of these wonderful instruments. In 5 or 10 minutes we can provide technical or playability information to help you make a good choice for the style(s) of your playing.

This page:
Our favorite electric violin makers
How we can help you choose
Why buy from us!

Welcome to one of the few shops in the world where electric violins are the norm, not the unusual! There are even more differences among electrics than among acoustic violins. We represent and are familiar with many makers of electric violins as well as electric viola, electric cello and electric upright bass, and pickups for acoustic instruments.

It's important to realize that the amplifier you choose can drastically improve (or distort) the sound you hear. On top of that come the special effects that can be applied to your violin - from mild to wild! We are here to help guide you through your electric string adventures. Look over our site and call us for an expert recommendation for your style(s) of playing.

Wondering why you'd play an electric violin? That's a whole page by itself.

Some of our favorite electric violin makers:

EVS Blaze Acoustic/Electric Violins
If you want the best acoustic tone from an electric violin, there is no substitute for what Stradivarius did - nicely crafted spruce and maple, and the resonant airspace inside. It is the relationship of the vibrating wood with the resonating air that gives the violin family that soul-stirring tone. Solid-body electric instruments can approximate this sound, and equalization (EQ) and tone controls can help. However, if you want an amplified tone similar to a finely made violin, you have two choices. Either put a quality transducer on your present violin (we recommend the Schertler), or get a dedicated acoustic/electric instrument.

We have created the EVS Blaze line of acoustic/electric violins for players who want a great acoustic tone in a moderately-priced amplified violin. We select only great-sounding violins for converting into a Blaze. The quarter inch output jack is permanently installed in the side of the violin. A volume control can be mounted in the top. Either way the bridge is permanently wired for a good strong output signal.

Why go acoustic/electric?
Having a dedicated acoustic/electric protects your fine acoustic violin from on-stage mishaps.
You can hear yourself just like normal - the sound goes into your left ear. An amplifier is required with solid-body electric violins, because otherwise you cannot hear yourself to play in tune!
A moderately-priced acoustic/electric violin from EVS, going into a nice PA or amp, can sound like a much more expensive instrument!
Colors - choose a translucent finish in blue, green, or other non-traditional colors. Call for availability.

Click here to look at our EVS Blaze selection of Electric/Acoustic Violins.

Bridge
Bridge violins are made in the UK of a Kevlar and carbon fiber blend, with an enclosed airspace. They use a wood bridge with their own electronics, for a good tone. Many bright colors are available, as well as custom finishes in burst and matrix.

Gary Edwards Lutherie
The Eminence portable electric upright bass has a narrow acoustic body, so you can hear yourself without an amp. Plugged in you get an amazingly rich and authentic bass tone - just like a fine upright bass with a good microphone. Much more portable than a standard upright bass. He also makes removable neck models for those who fly with their bass. Four and five string basses are available.

Epoch Acoustic/Electric Violins
A new Australian acoustic/electric violin design with floating flat top and back. It has a full acoustic sound, is weather resistant, and is available in lots of bright colors. The sonic design hearkens back to the crwth, a medieval Welsh stringed instrument, that had one foot of the bridge act as the soundpost, extending through the top to rest on the back of the instrument. The bridge is thin and easily replaced for higher action or different string curvature. Amplified tone is excellent. See what Epoch violin models we have in stock.

John Jordan
Jordan is a custom maker of electric violins, electric violas and electric cellos. The Jordan electric violin and electric viola are the ultimate in lightweight, ergonomic comfort and sleek modern shape. There is no peghead - smooth geared tuners behind the bridge offer both coarse and fine tuning. The necessary heel shape of the neck is retained so you can find your way when shifting. Shoulder pad is attached. He usually uses a Barbera bridge, although bridges like the Ashworth are also available.

In addition to the Jordan violins we have in stock, we can also order one custom-made for you. Options are visible on Jordan's own violin page and here's a special link to view the beautiful wood options that are available.

Jordan recently re-invented his electric cello design. His new asymmetrical shape looks outrageous, yet preserves all the normal body contact points of a normal cello. Check them out at www.jordanmusic.com/newcello.htm If you are able to spend over $5000 on an e-cello, let us help you choose the perfect options for your style.

Meisel Acoustic/Electric Violin
A sleek hollow body gives the Meisel Spitfire E-Fusion Electric Violin a surprisingly natural acoustic sound, so you can clearly hear yourself without an amplifier (sounds better than some cheap regular violins!). Recently improved - the electric tone is strong and warm. Perfect for the performer who wants an economical, modern shaped acoustic/electric violin.

NS Design Electric Violin, Electric Viola, Electric Cello and Electric Upright Bass
Founded by instrument designer Ned Steinberger, NS Design applies innovative instrument ideas to all the bowed strings.

NS Design violins have been the favorite of Laurie Anderson for years. They look futuristic, yet they feel quite normal and are comfortable to play, with the adjustable shoulder pad. The upper bout substitute feels much more realistic than the little rods other makers use, and is removable for lightning fast shifts up and down the neck. The gorgeous flamed maple top nods in the direction of the traditional, as does the tone, which is surprisingly authentic.

The flexibility of the Steinberger pickup system allows you to select a pizzicato sound, a warm bowed sound, or a blend of both. The treble and bass controls further modify your sound. Both the four string and the five string NS Violin now have a headphone jack - for "silent" practice!

The NS Design Electric Viola continues Ned’s great design. Same features as the NS Electric Violin in the size of approximately a 16” viola.

The NS Design Electric Cello is one of the best e-cello designs on the market. The NS Cello has an even more authentic acoustic tone than his bass, and features wonderfully functional tone controls. Mildly amplified, people are surprised to not see a normal cello being played. It now comes with an improved gig bag (with an outside pocket for the stand), and a versatile stand that allows you to play seated or standing! The Ned Steinberger Electric Cello is also available as a five-string and six-string. Also available is his Bass Cello, with the same string length as a bass guitar. It is a five string, and can be tuned in fourths or fifths.

The NS Design Electric Upright Double Bass combines the sleek minimalist design Ned Steinberger is famous for, with a great upright bass sound. Tone control knobs allow modifying your sound, and if you want more punch, get one with the optional EMG magnetic pickups. You can then choose a wide variety of sounds from one bass. The Steinberger electric upright is available with four, five or six strings, and includes Ned's specially designed stand (very heavy duty - great design too), and an improved gig bag (with an outside pocket for the stand).

NS Design web site

Vector Electric Violins
Artistically handmade in Nova Scotia by Nicolas Tipney, the Vector Prodigy 4 and 5 string violins are beautiful in their simplicity. He uses a Schatten bridge wired directly to the output jack (no volume control). This is the electric violin closest in weight to a normal violin, only an ounce or so heavier on average. Output signal is strong and sounds uncommonly good for its moderate price.

Yamaha Electric Violins
The Yamaha SV-120K is a great entry into the world of the Electric Violin. Tone is good for an electric violin, and the headphone jack and on-board reverb make practicing more fun! The bridge on the SV-120 violin as it comes from Yamaha has a non-standard curvature. It will NOT feel like the acoustic violin you now play. Here we do a complete shop set up on all our Yamaha silent & electric bowed instruments, so that it will feel right as soon as you open the case. You may find a cheaper price here on the Net, but we guarantee you won't find one that plays better!

The Yamaha SV-200K produces a more pleasing violin tone than the SV-120. It has a tone control and headphone jack, and it allows you to use your own shoulder pad and to switch out the chin rest if it's uncomfortable.

The Yamaha EV violin models achieve a stronger electric violin tone, with individually adjustable volume knobs for each string. Finally you can tone down your E string without affecting the A! The Yamaha EV-204 and the five string Yamaha Yamaha EV-205 violin come in three colors, and are of all-wood construction. The geared machine tuners are more stable than friction pegs in resisting de-tuning by getting knocked around.

And - should your battery die during a performance, the on-board preamp can be bypassed and you just keep on playing! Includes headphone jack with its own volume knob. Fits in a standard violin case, and is very happy with your present bow.

All Yamaha violins in stock

Yamaha Electric Viola
The Yamaha Silent Viola feels like a normal viola, yet sends your playing into the electronic domain. It has a 16 inch body length, with an all-wood perimeter frame (unlike the plastic frame on the SV-120 violin). A switchable equalization circuit warms up the viola's harmonics and helps adapt the instrument's signal to varying room acoustics. Has headphone and 1/4 inch output jack. Fits in a normal viola case (not included).

Yamaha Electric Cello
The Yamaha Silent Electric Cello preserves all the contact points of a normal cello - especially the heel of the neck, which is an important reference point for shifting to the higher positions. Tone is good for an electric cello, and the wood bridge must be modified to feel like your current cello (a service we perform for free). The Yamaha SVC-100 Silent Cello has fixed plastic body outline, and goes into a traditional cello case or bag. It is expensive to ship. The new Yamaha SCV-200 Compact Electric Cello folds down into a smaller size for easy traveling, yet unfolds to provide the needed body contact points. And the newest model Yamaha cello, the SVC-50, with its cool gloss black finish, is a great value in foldable electric cellos under $1500.

All Yamaha Cellos in stock

Yamaha's violin web page

Zeta Electric Violins
After many years of ups and downs, the Zeta folks finally have a musician running the company, not some corporate bean counter. (I’ve been dealing with them since the mid-1980’s and I am grateful for this regime change!) The whole Zeta violin line has been improved – they are now lighter in weight and hold your present shoulder pad more securely. They’ve added a great-sounding inexpensive electric violin – the Zeta Ensemble Violin. Features like a new Educator series II bridge and a deep burgundy finish over solid wood make the new Zeta Ensemble violin a perfect first electric violin. Of course, it has headphone and auxiliary input jacks for your practicing pleasure!

All Zeta Educator violins, violas and cellos are MIDI compatible, with the purchase of the Synthony MIDI violin controller. Unfortunately, the Synthony is temporarily not in production.

Check out the Zeta E-Fusion violin (not to be confused with the Meisel Spitfire E-Fusion) – it has the modern body shape Jon Luc Ponty made famous, with a flat, electric guitar style headstock with geared pegs (formerly available only on the Boyd Tinsley custom model). Because it has the new Educator II bridge, it can sound normal or wild!

Zeta Violin Bridges The Strados bridge gives you the most punch, while the Jazz bridge gives a more balanced, though not warm tone. The new Educator II bridge closer emulates an acoustic tone, but is not MIDI compatible.

Zeta still makes a bewildering variety of electric violin models. After you look over the Zeta Violin web site, give us a call and we’ll help you choose the right instrument for your style of playing.

How to choose the perfect electric violin or pickup:
The world wide web way: browse
Go to our EVS web site, starting with the left side buttons, or use the search engine box to find a particular feature or model. You can sort our selection by maker or feature (like 5 string, etc.). If you don’t find it – call us for items not on our site. Also check out our links to instrument makers to help refine your want list.

The fastest way: call
Call EVS at (919) 806-3311 and we'll take your input to make suggestions, helping you find the right match for your playing styles and desires. Store hours are 11 to 6 Monday to Friday, 10 to 5 Saturday, North Carolina (Eastern) time - ask for Blaise or Kevin.

The in-person way: visit
Come to our store in NC and play around! We are 10 minutes from RDU (Raleigh-Durham) airport, 5 hours drive from Washington DC, and about 7 hours from Atlanta. One family drove from New Jersey just to shop here - you may be closer than them! Local directions are here.

Why buy from Music Explorium/Electric Violin Shop?
Service and Expertise
Blaise Kielar started Music Explorium in March of 1999, and Electric Violin Shop a few years later. He has played violin for over 40 years and has been associated with violin shops in Philadelphia, PA and Chapel Hill, NC for 27 years. The electric violin helped bring him out of the classical music "box."

A small musician-run store, like Music Explorium, gives you service and expertise lacking in the big chains and Internet catalogs. Your dollars spent here vote for diversity and musical passion, dollars spent at the big chains vote for rich CEO's.

If you'd like to know more about our store's mission and history, please read about Music Explorium.

Get it set up right
After 25 years in violin shops, Blaise has seen the importance of good sounding and easy playing violins! Many violins sold online are raw – not set up and adjusted to play well – but to the untrained eye they look OK. Inexperienced players in particular can be discouraged by bad set up on a violin; they may think they are the problem, when really they are fighting a poorly set up instrument. Blaise applies high standards of set-up to electric violins as well (no, they don't all play well, as shipped from the maker!). In addition, if you switch often from acoustic to electric, you will want them to be similar enough that you don't have to make large adjustments in how you play.

Trade-ins welcome
If your first electric violin only satisfies you for a while, don't worry. We give generous trade in allowances on instruments purchased from us, and often on those purchased elsewhere. We can actually advise you better on your next instrument by knowing what you don't like about your current one. By trading in you save trouble and money, and some lucky player gets your old violin to get started!

Expert help in selecting amps and pickups
Here are a couple of pointers, but we'd be glad to talk to you (call us!) and help you wade through the available options:

Amps: We suggest avoiding guitar amps – they tend to exaggerate the high strings (so guitar solos sound flashy) and make your violin sound shrill (hit an open E string and drive everybody from the room!). We have found amps even under $100 that don't color the violin sound and help most electric violins sound natural. We believe that if you start with a natural-sounding violin tone, then you can modify it however you please – mild to wild.

Pickups: Although microphones can give you a natural sound, they are prone to feedback, and inhibit your moving around to the music. Contact transducers don't have to be expensive to sound good – let us help you avoid the ones that sound shrill or distorted!

Effects: Bowed stringed instruments sound best with time-based electronic effects. Reverb and delay are quite effective. Choose distortion only if you want a heavy rock sound! If you want the possibility of a more wild sound as well, consider a multi-effects unit, like one of the Zoom pedals. They have reverb (and distortion too) and other cool effects like ring modulation and chorus. The Roland Cube 30 amp has effects built in, so from one box, you can choose to sound acoustic or off in Jimi Hendrix territory!