Acoustic vs. electric violins
What are the differences between an acoustic and electric violin?
There are seven differences between acoustic and electric violins, but the main difference is how they produce sound. On an acoustic violin, the player plucks or bows the strings which causes the bridge to vibrate. The bridge transfers these vibrations to the body of the instrument which produces the sound. On an electric violin, the player plucks or bows the strings which causes the instrument to vibrate. That vibration is then transferred to the wood and a microphone pickup that transforms the vibration into an electric signal. This signal is then output through an amplifier or mixing console, creating the sound the listener hears. You do not need an amplifier or mixing console to create sound with an electric violin, but without it, the sound will be very faint.
Here is a list of the seven differences between acoustic and electric violins.
Body. Acoustic violins are hollow; electric violins are solid.
Strings. Acoustic violins always have four strings, but electric violins can have 4, 5, 6, or even 7 strings! The extra strings are usually a low C for a 5-string electric, a low C and high B for a 6-string, and a low C, high B, and low F for a 7-string. Additional strings are a great feature because they increase the number of pieces you can play!
Design. Acoustic violins all look the same, varying only slightly in color. However, there is no “standard” appearance or design for electric violins, which allows the maker to be more creative in their design. The violin must have certain basic features, such as strings, a fingerboard, and a bridge, but beyond that,
Weight. Since electric violins are solid, they are heavier than acoustics.
Amplification. Acoustic violins do not need any amplification to be heard.
Sound quality. Because the two instruments produce sound differently, the sound quality differs as well. Think of it like the difference in sound between an acoustic guitar and electric guitar. They are the same instrument but produce very different types of sounds that work well for different types of music. Acoustic violins are generally preferred for classical music, and electric violins are generally preferred for more popular music.
Maintenance. Acoustic violins require more maintenance than electrics. The hollow structure makes it more fragile and more likely to deteriorate over time. By contrast, most of the time, electric violins do not require much, if any, maintenance.
Why would you choose to play an electric violin?
Contrary to popular belief, playing an electric violin is not easier than playing an acoustic one! They are the same instrument after all 😉 However, there are a few reasons why you might choose to play an electric violin rather than an acoustic one.
Electrics have more strings, which gives you a broader range of sound and a bigger repertoire.
Electrics allow the player to add distortion and effects to their music.
Electrics work better than acoustic for certain genres of music.
You just prefer an electric!
What’s the difference between an electric violin and a silent violin?
Electric and silent violins produce sound in the same way, except when playing a silent violin, it is usually plugged into headphones rather than an amplifier. Silent violins are never totally silent, so if you’re looking for a cheaper way to minimize noise while practicing, try a practice mute.
What’s the best electric violin to buy?
When in the market for an electric violin, consider the following things: purpose, budget, sound quality, and design.
Generally, electric violins are cheaper than acoustics. Top-of-the-line electric violins range from two to three thousand dollars, while top-of-the-line acoustics can cost millions.
Here are my recommendations for electric violins at varying price points.
Under $500: Fiddlerman Tower Electric Strings Violin
$600-$1,000: Yamaha 5 string electric violin
$1,000-$1,750: NS Design NXT 4 string
$1750+: Yamaha SV-250 (4 string) and SV-255 (5 string)
Do you have an electric violin? Why did you purchase it? Let me know in the comments!
