Hi, I was going to buy an electric fiddle but I don't know anything about them. What makes should I look at? What kind / price of Amp should I buy? I am looking to buy a fiddle at around £600 - £800 plus an amp (no idea on theprice there) so if anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it.
Also, I have been looking for a peice "fiddlin around" for ages but can't find it anywhere. Can anyone help?
Alastair, a little while ago I tried out an electric fiddle and an electric cello at Bridge's stall at a folk festival at Chippenham in Wiltshire. I was quite impressed, and when I sat down and played their cello (I was the first person that day to try out the cello) I had a crowd of about 30 around me within a couple of minutes. I could've passed a hat around! Both instruments felt very easy to play - after all, the amp does the work for you! - and the hold felt quite natural once you ignore the appearance of the thing. The cello in particular was set up with the amp and soundboard to sound like a Strad. My wife dragged me away from it with tears in my eyes.
Bridge have been around a long time, and the impression I got was that their instruments are towards the higher end of the scale. They do a full range, standard fiddles, cellos and basses, and a 5 string fiddle and an octave fiddle.
Bridge apparently supply their own amps etc but there's no reason why other makes can't be used.
Alastair, if you go to JC's database http://trillian.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/ and plug "Fiddling around" (without the apostrophes and with the full spelling of "Fiddling") into the tune finder, it will come up. I can't post it as a tune for two reasons: I've already posted a tune today and am about to go off on holiday for a week, and it's a tune that wouldn't fit very well into this particular database!
Anyway, I'll email the abc to you.
Hi, I tried out some korean electric fiddles (lower price segment) some month ago - and was disappointed by the nasal-sawing-like poor sound. later I tried the yamaha silent violin and immediately liked to have one (but I have to tell you that I really can´t tell for what reason I should have one). I have been told Zeta E-fiddles are way better than the yamahas and I am waiting for the opportunity to try one. If the nice to have turns into some must have, try to get a real good one even if it costs you some money.... cheers, volker
I saw a Zeta but was unable to try it at the time, I have tried a Yamaha and was quite impressed, a Skynebow (Or something) and a Yamada (Yes Yamada, at £150 it was dreadful). I will try and get a shot of the Zeta soon. Thanks, Ally.
When I was touring I had the opportunity to endorse and or play most makes of “electric fiddle”. That is, fiddles specifically made to be amplified. Personally, I thought they were all crap, even the ones that cost several thousand dollars. You can see my posting below for what I do now. It is my firm belief that to get a good electric tone you must first get a good acoustic tone.
My main rig is all rack mountable equipment so I’ll spare you the details. For quick set ups and small stages I’ve been using the Baggs’ acoustic preamp coupled with a Boss reverb pedal and a JBL EON powered monitor. It works amazingly well and it shines in both low volume and high volume situations. As far as a single amp recommendation, I’ve had my best luck with most amps designed specifically for acoustic instruments and am a bit partial to the Trace Elliot. The only reason I haven’t invested in one is because most wimp out in high volume situations. Many fiddlers here in Texas like playing through Steel Guitar amps and they do get plenty loud. Those amps have not worked well for me when playing Celtic tunes. It seems as though I need some kind of tweeter to help with all the tricky bowing and finger work. Good luck. There is no such thing as a good sounding electric violin. There are only ones that suck less than others.
As far as “Fiddling Around” is concerned, I do have some written music for the Texas tune of that name.
Cheers
Sean
When I saw Altan recently, both Mairead and Ciran appeared tp be using Zeta Acoustic Pro fiddles. I have since checked out zetas website and indeed, they both are listed as endorsers. The Blue Idol cd notes also verify this.
I suspect that these fiddles do not sound as good acoustically as a pure good sounding acoustic fiddle, but they were excellent in the amplified setting of the concert.. They sounded very natural and there was none of the percussive bow noise associated with many bridge pickups. Since they were not using amplifiers but "going direct", its impossible to say what kind of signal processing may have been used to enhance the sound. I suspect they use they best available technology.
The hefty price tag (around $2000) will probably keep most part-timers away. My fiddle has a baggs bridge with a carpenter jack. It doesn't affect the acoustic sound much and its aways ready to be plugged in. (around $200 installed)
I like electric fiddles. I don't know much about prices as i built my fiddle and amp myself. One of the great things about electric fiddles is you can play about with various effects boxes. A well made electric fiddle certainly dosent suck. The top of the range ones I have tried have been delightful to play! which brings me to the question, dose anyone else agree that electric fiddles can compeat wth there acoustic fiddles? Of course they can not be compaired, they are totally different. To say they arn't would be like saying "This classical guitar pice sounds all wrong, and it's on a fender tele as well" accoustic fiddles are best for traditional music, and electric fiddles are much better for folk-rock.
Your electric fiddle outfit is only as good as your wallet allows it. I play a Skyinbow S1 (the thin one) electric fiddle. I'm not that pleased at the moment with it because there is a loose connection somewhere in the electronics causing a crackling sound when I grind down on the G and D strings when playing heavier rock styles. I've also got a Barcus Berry hollow body electric and a Fishman pickup on my acoustic - the Skyinbow is my weapon of choice though.
Carrmuse bought up the issue of the percussive bow noise. I certainly have an issue with this on the Skyinbow, although only on the E string. It fair gives me the irrates, and I'm trying to work out ways of combatting it.
From my own extensive research, I've found that the best type of amp to use is an acoustic guitar amp. I use a Laney 65C acoustic guitar amp, a 65 watt outfit with 2 channels, one of which has a mic option. There is good reason for this. Acoustic amps are built to be used with with piezo pickups on acoustic guitars - your ordinary guitar amp is built with magnetic coil pickups in mind. With a few exceptions (eg Bowtronics), all fiddles use piezo transducers, so it works in harmony with an acoustic amp. I have also heard good things about Trace Eliot amps, but have not had the opportunity to try one. My Laney retailed at $700 Australian.
The big mistake made by most people when they start with electrics and pickups is that they use raw signal from the instrument and put it straight into an amp or PA. To do this is dicing with death - or worse - dreadful sound! I never, ever, use my electric fiddle without effects. I use a DOD VGS50 valve guitar processor. I just whack on a few effects, usually reverb, chorus, delay, whatever really and set the levels on them relatively low. It takes the 'dryness' right out and gives a full, rich, tone. I can make my electric sound just as good as an acoustic, and I'm prepared to put my money where my mouth is. It's also a good unit because of the valve. Valve distortion is 'browner' and better for fiddles than solid-state distortion - it's 'blacker' and on the whole pretty dreadful. I know most fiddlers have an aversion to distortion, but I find it helpful in adding depth to tone if you set the gain to about 2 or 3.
I guess the bottom line to all this is to get the best electric fiddle that you can afford. Look at brands endorsed by professional musicians such as Zeta, Jordan, Steinberger, Jensen, Skyinbow (I have heard that Skyinbow have closed up shop and the chap who makes them has gone back to professional fishing) anthing on http://www.lightbubble.com/bowed/makers.htm really, these are reputable makers. Avoid the Strauss, the Fender (desipite the name), the Samick and the Yamaha (despite who plays one) like the plague. Decide on whether you want a solid body or a seim-acoustic instrument. If you are going to use effects, go for a soilid body so you don't have the unprocessed instrument noise in your ear. As a general rule of thumb, if you cringe at the price, then it's probably a good instrument. Do your homework, ask and ring around, try as many as you can, make sure you're getting value for money.
I,m also looking for an electric violin. For example the Skyinbow, Ashbury, Bridge, or the Barcus-Berry. The Zeta is much too expensive for me. Another problem is the place i live. I'm from Europe, Holland , and it's very difficult to find other violins than Yamaha, Fender and Straus.I want to know if there is anyone who knows the Meisel E-Fusion 6000E.
And all information about other good ones are welcome! I already read a lot of good information above.
Estrella. I just ordered the Meisel E-Fusion 6000E from www.music123.com for $479 (U.S.).
I read a ton of reviews on many different electrics but I am sorry to say I was unable to try ANY of them. I'm playing on an old poor quality Alvarez electric right now. But when my E-Fusion comes in and I have a chance to play it a little, I'll post my thoughts on it.
Part of the reason why I bought it was because of good things a girl named Lizzie had to say about it on this site.
Are there some good floor pedals that can improve the electric fiddle tone, take shrillness out, and possibly add a more satiny , but more acoustic finish to the tone?
Thanks for any help. e-me. aha@geehuckwow.com
Electric Fiddles and "Fiddlin' around"
Electric Fiddles and "Fiddlin' around"
Hi, I was going to buy an electric fiddle but I don't know anything about them. What makes should I look at? What kind / price of Amp should I buy? I am looking to buy a fiddle at around £600 - £800 plus an amp (no idea on theprice there) so if anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it.
Also, I have been looking for a peice "fiddlin around" for ages but can't find it anywhere. Can anyone help?
# Posted on March 1st 2003 by ally_harlow
Re: Electric Fiddles and
Alastair, a little while ago I tried out an electric fiddle and an electric cello at Bridge's stall at a folk festival at Chippenham in Wiltshire. I was quite impressed, and when I sat down and played their cello (I was the first person that day to try out the cello) I had a crowd of about 30 around me within a couple of minutes. I could've passed a hat around! Both instruments felt very easy to play - after all, the amp does the work for you! - and the hold felt quite natural once you ignore the appearance of the thing. The cello in particular was set up with the amp and soundboard to sound like a Strad. My wife dragged me away from it with tears in my eyes.
Bridge have been around a long time, and the impression I got was that their instruments are towards the higher end of the scale. They do a full range, standard fiddles, cellos and basses, and a 5 string fiddle and an octave fiddle.
Bridge apparently supply their own amps etc but there's no reason why other makes can't be used.
Their web site is http://www.electricviolins.com, which I've just checked out.
# Posted on March 2nd 2003 by lazyhound
Re: Electric Fiddles and
Alastair, if you go to JC's database http://trillian.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/ and plug "Fiddling around" (without the apostrophes and with the full spelling of "Fiddling") into the tune finder, it will come up. I can't post it as a tune for two reasons: I've already posted a tune today and am about to go off on holiday for a week, and it's a tune that wouldn't fit very well into this particular database!
Anyway, I'll email the abc to you.
# Posted on March 2nd 2003 by lazyhound
Re: Electric Fiddles and
Hi, I tried out some korean electric fiddles (lower price segment) some month ago - and was disappointed by the nasal-sawing-like poor sound. later I tried the yamaha silent violin and immediately liked to have one (but I have to tell you that I really can´t tell for what reason I should have one). I have been told Zeta E-fiddles are way better than the yamahas and I am waiting for the opportunity to try one. If the nice to have turns into some must have, try to get a real good one even if it costs you some money.... cheers, volker
# Posted on March 2nd 2003 by crannog
Re: Electric Fiddles and
I saw a Zeta but was unable to try it at the time, I have tried a Yamaha and was quite impressed, a Skynebow (Or something) and a Yamada (Yes Yamada, at £150 it was dreadful). I will try and get a shot of the Zeta soon. Thanks, Ally.
# Posted on March 2nd 2003 by ally_harlow
Re: Electric Fiddles and
When I was touring I had the opportunity to endorse and or play most makes of “electric fiddle”. That is, fiddles specifically made to be amplified. Personally, I thought they were all crap, even the ones that cost several thousand dollars. You can see my posting below for what I do now. It is my firm belief that to get a good electric tone you must first get a good acoustic tone.
My main rig is all rack mountable equipment so I’ll spare you the details. For quick set ups and small stages I’ve been using the Baggs’ acoustic preamp coupled with a Boss reverb pedal and a JBL EON powered monitor. It works amazingly well and it shines in both low volume and high volume situations. As far as a single amp recommendation, I’ve had my best luck with most amps designed specifically for acoustic instruments and am a bit partial to the Trace Elliot. The only reason I haven’t invested in one is because most wimp out in high volume situations. Many fiddlers here in Texas like playing through Steel Guitar amps and they do get plenty loud. Those amps have not worked well for me when playing Celtic tunes. It seems as though I need some kind of tweeter to help with all the tricky bowing and finger work. Good luck. There is no such thing as a good sounding electric violin. There are only ones that suck less than others.
As far as “Fiddling Around” is concerned, I do have some written music for the Texas tune of that name.
Cheers
Sean
# Posted on March 2nd 2003 by txfiddler
Re: Electric Fiddles and
When I saw Altan recently, both Mairead and Ciran appeared tp be using Zeta Acoustic Pro fiddles. I have since checked out zetas website and indeed, they both are listed as endorsers. The Blue Idol cd notes also verify this.
I suspect that these fiddles do not sound as good acoustically as a pure good sounding acoustic fiddle, but they were excellent in the amplified setting of the concert.. They sounded very natural and there was none of the percussive bow noise associated with many bridge pickups. Since they were not using amplifiers but "going direct", its impossible to say what kind of signal processing may have been used to enhance the sound. I suspect they use they best available technology.
The hefty price tag (around $2000) will probably keep most part-timers away. My fiddle has a baggs bridge with a carpenter jack. It doesn't affect the acoustic sound much and its aways ready to be plugged in. (around $200 installed)
Joe
# Posted on March 3rd 2003 by Carrmuse
Re: Electric Fiddles and
I like electric fiddles. I don't know much about prices as i built my fiddle and amp myself. One of the great things about electric fiddles is you can play about with various effects boxes. A well made electric fiddle certainly dosent suck. The top of the range ones I have tried have been delightful to play! which brings me to the question, dose anyone else agree that electric fiddles can compeat wth there acoustic fiddles? Of course they can not be compaired, they are totally different. To say they arn't would be like saying "This classical guitar pice sounds all wrong, and it's on a fender tele as well" accoustic fiddles are best for traditional music, and electric fiddles are much better for folk-rock.
Dafydd
# Posted on March 5th 2003 by Dafydd Monks
Re: Electric Fiddles and
Alastair,
Your electric fiddle outfit is only as good as your wallet allows it. I play a Skyinbow S1 (the thin one) electric fiddle. I'm not that pleased at the moment with it because there is a loose connection somewhere in the electronics causing a crackling sound when I grind down on the G and D strings when playing heavier rock styles. I've also got a Barcus Berry hollow body electric and a Fishman pickup on my acoustic - the Skyinbow is my weapon of choice though.
Carrmuse bought up the issue of the percussive bow noise. I certainly have an issue with this on the Skyinbow, although only on the E string. It fair gives me the irrates, and I'm trying to work out ways of combatting it.
From my own extensive research, I've found that the best type of amp to use is an acoustic guitar amp. I use a Laney 65C acoustic guitar amp, a 65 watt outfit with 2 channels, one of which has a mic option. There is good reason for this. Acoustic amps are built to be used with with piezo pickups on acoustic guitars - your ordinary guitar amp is built with magnetic coil pickups in mind. With a few exceptions (eg Bowtronics), all fiddles use piezo transducers, so it works in harmony with an acoustic amp. I have also heard good things about Trace Eliot amps, but have not had the opportunity to try one. My Laney retailed at $700 Australian.
The big mistake made by most people when they start with electrics and pickups is that they use raw signal from the instrument and put it straight into an amp or PA. To do this is dicing with death - or worse - dreadful sound! I never, ever, use my electric fiddle without effects. I use a DOD VGS50 valve guitar processor. I just whack on a few effects, usually reverb, chorus, delay, whatever really and set the levels on them relatively low. It takes the 'dryness' right out and gives a full, rich, tone. I can make my electric sound just as good as an acoustic, and I'm prepared to put my money where my mouth is. It's also a good unit because of the valve. Valve distortion is 'browner' and better for fiddles than solid-state distortion - it's 'blacker' and on the whole pretty dreadful. I know most fiddlers have an aversion to distortion, but I find it helpful in adding depth to tone if you set the gain to about 2 or 3.
I guess the bottom line to all this is to get the best electric fiddle that you can afford. Look at brands endorsed by professional musicians such as Zeta, Jordan, Steinberger, Jensen, Skyinbow (I have heard that Skyinbow have closed up shop and the chap who makes them has gone back to professional fishing) anthing on http://www.lightbubble.com/bowed/makers.htm really, these are reputable makers. Avoid the Strauss, the Fender (desipite the name), the Samick and the Yamaha (despite who plays one) like the plague. Decide on whether you want a solid body or a seim-acoustic instrument. If you are going to use effects, go for a soilid body so you don't have the unprocessed instrument noise in your ear. As a general rule of thumb, if you cringe at the price, then it's probably a good instrument. Do your homework, ask and ring around, try as many as you can, make sure you're getting value for money.
I hope this essay has been of some help.
peace,
the dargsmeister
# Posted on March 5th 2003 by dargs
Re: Electric Fiddles and "Fiddlin' around"
I,m also looking for an electric violin. For example the Skyinbow, Ashbury, Bridge, or the Barcus-Berry. The Zeta is much too expensive for me. Another problem is the place i live. I'm from Europe, Holland , and it's very difficult to find other violins than Yamaha, Fender and Straus.I want to know if there is anyone who knows the Meisel E-Fusion 6000E.
And all information about other good ones are welcome! I already read a lot of good information above.
# Posted on August 19th 2004 by estrella
Re: Electric Fiddles and "Fiddlin' around"
Estrella. I just ordered the Meisel E-Fusion 6000E from www.music123.com for $479 (U.S.).
I read a ton of reviews on many different electrics but I am sorry to say I was unable to try ANY of them. I'm playing on an old poor quality Alvarez electric right now. But when my E-Fusion comes in and I have a chance to play it a little, I'll post my thoughts on it.
Part of the reason why I bought it was because of good things a girl named Lizzie had to say about it on this site.
django
# Posted on November 24th 2005 by djangogs
Re: Electric Fiddles and "Fiddlin' around"
Are there some good floor pedals that can improve the electric fiddle tone, take shrillness out, and possibly add a more satiny , but more acoustic finish to the tone?
Thanks for any help. e-me. aha@geehuckwow.com
# Posted on July 4th 2006 by geehuckwow