Electric Instrument FAQ
 Why would I want an electric instrument?
If you are interested in playing music outside of the standard classical and romantic repertoire, electric instruments are the perfect tool for finding "your sound". Since they are typically made from a solid piece of wood, you won't have feedback issues and you can add effects without a problem! Imagine your favorite guitar solo on your violin, filled with distortion, reverb, wah-wah, and delay. or playing violin with a jazz band. Truly anything is possible with an electric instrument.
What does an electric violin sound like?
An electric violin sounds much like an acoustic violin with slightly less resonance. The true tonal differences come with the addition of effects (mentioned later) to modify the sound into something entirely new. You can effectively change the sound of your electric violin to be fairly specific to your personal preferences, be it a really crunchy and distorted guitar-like sound, or an acoustic “concert hall” type sound
What is a "silent" violin? Can you hear it?
A “silent” violin refers to the fact that it is a practice-ready instrument. You may turn it on, plug headphones directly into it, and practice. It makes some noise, but much less than an acoustic violin would, even with a practice mute on. Any electric instrument can be played “silently” by using an amp or an effects pedal that has a headphone jack in it.
I've only ever played acoustic. How do I get started playing electric?
It's easy! In many cases you can use the same strings, bow, and shoulder rest to get started. You just need to decide if you want to put a pickup on your acoustic instrument, or play a dedicated electric instrument.
Pickups attach to any regular acoustic and cost less than buying a second instrument but have limitations. While they are an easy way to start with electric strings, installing and removing them can get tiresome, they do not give you the power and tone of a pure electric, and you cannot play them as Silent Instruments.
Our free pamphlet Guide to Starting with Electric Instruments- may also be of interest, as it is full of tips on how acoustic and classical players can get a painless start with electrics.
Can I use my regular bow? Strings? Rosin?
While you can use the same bow, strings, and rosin for your instrument, there are certain types which we recommend to make playing your instrument ideal. A carbon fiber bow is a nice tool to have, so you can dig in a bit more and use percussive strokes without worrying about damaging your wooden bow. Steel core strings are great for getting a little more grit to your sound (and are also a bit more cost effective). Cello and/or bass rosin sometime is helpful for 7 string instruments to get more pull on the lower strings.
Which pick-up should I buy for my instrument?
If you have an instrument which can be used solely for amplified playing, a bridge replacement pickup is your best bet. L.R. Baggs, Yamaha, and Fishman all make fairly affordable bridges with embedded piezo pickups. They must be professionally installed, however, which is an added cost.
Many players only have one instrument for playing both amplified and acoustically. In this case, a removable pickup is often the best or most convenient solution. If removability is a serious issue, then “The Band” by Headway, which goes around the instrument’s lower bout, is your best bet.
One of the most popular pickup types is inserted into the bridge wing-slot. Fishman and MiSi both make these pickups, with the MiSi having a built in preamp which is helpful against feedback. The others are best with a preamp or an acoustic amp, like those by Kustom, Roland, and Fishman, optimized for piezo pickups.
The Realist pickup, by David Gage, is placed between the feet of the bridge and the instrument. The tone of these pickups is quite good, as it combines the resonance of the bridge and the instrument’s top. The installation is more complicated however, especially for someone to remove on a regular basis.
How different from acoustics are pure electric instruments?
The basics of technique are the same, you can use any brand of string, bow, shoulder rest, etc on both. Things can really get interesting with the addition of electronic effects like looping, changing the sound, etc. It is a huge topic and only possible to mention here.
Why get a 5 string (or more)?
Getting a 5 (6, or 7) string instrument or extended range instrument presents the opportunities to play well into the viola, cello, and even bass range! While this is also possible with a droptune pedal, having the strings themselves is ideal and makes for seamless transitions. Power chords and funky bass lines sound great on an extended range instrument and also give the user the possibility to make their loops fuller (by looping a bass line and deeper harmonies).
Will a 5-string harm my technique?
Just like changing instrument sizes, starting on a 5 (6, or 7) string instrument will take some adjustment. As long as you continue to practice equally on your acoustic 4-string however, your technique will not be harmed. If anything, your playing should benefit from exploration with an additional string!
If you are younger player or just starting to learn, ask your teacher's opinion. Some teachers have little, if any, experience with a five-string violin, and they may tell their students to stick with a four string. If this is the case and you still want to purchase a 5-string, its a good idea to make sure that your teacher will be O.K. with it. The last thing you want to do is make them angry!
If you get a 5 string, make use of the extra low string!
Will I need a cable and amp?
If your instrument has a headphone jack and you are just looking to practice silently, you won’t need them. If you want to play out in public or simply rock out in your home, you will need at least one cable, an amplifier, or a connection to a PA system. Any amp and cable will work - just don’t use a guitar amp for a cello or bass, which will blow the speakers.
Amps and effects pedals are not just useful, they are what make playing electric FUN! You can visit us to experiment and find out what you like and also borrow them from your friends who play guitar- the technology is identical and any guitar pedal or amp will work for a violin.
What are effects? How can I add them?
Some common examples of effects are distortion (to sound like electric guitar), reverb (to sound as if you are in a concert hall), and delay (to create and echo of your melody).
Effects Pedals are used achieve different effects for your instrument. You can buy individual effects pedals (or stomp boxes), but a multi-effects processor is a good introduction for discovering what you want.
One side of the effects pedal is connected to the instrument, and the other side is connected to an amplifier or PA system. Many musicians will form a "chain" of pedals - with each pedal added connected in succession to the chain (a new patch cable is needed to connect each additional pedal). You can use one at a time or multiple ones at once.
What is a preamp? Do I need one?
A preamplifier (or preamp) is technology that refines the signal of an electric instrument to reduce noise and interference. Preamps allow a musician to adjust the EQ of the instrument to their liking for a smoother and more even sound.
Generally, instruments described as 'active' are equipped with a preamp and instruments described as 'passive,' are not. External preamps are available for instruments with a passive pickup.
Passive instruments may or may not require an external preamp - it depends on what the instrument is being used for (i.e. practice or performance), the space the instrument is being used in (i.e. small music hall or a large, open venue), the type of pickup on the instrument, the quality of its signal, and the amp it is paired with.
Most players that perform should consider a preamp if their instrument isn't equipped with one. Its easiest to provide advice on this topic on an individual basis, as every case merits a different recommendation. Please call or email us and one of our staff members can offer sound advice.
Where do I learn more about this?
As mentioned above, our free pamphlet Guide to Starting with Electric Instruments- is a great resource, brief and to the point, for acoustic and classical players to get a painless start with electrics.
Additionally, we have expert electric players on staff and regular electric seminars with performing and recording artists. To receive notice of upcoming electric events at the Long Island Violin Shop, register here.
|
