.st0{fill:#FFFFFF;}

Best Electric Violin to Buy in 2023 

 March 3, 2021

By  Zen Chung

Are you a classical violinist who wants to jump on the electric wagon? Or a beginner who's starting their electric violin journey? Whatever the case, we want you to get the best electric violin that meets all your needs.

When it comes to buying an electric violin, the world is your oyster. There are around 30 individuals and companies that seriously manufacture electric violins. The top five companies that are dominating the electric violins space include Yamaha, NS Design, Bridge Violins, Zeta, and Wood Violins. You've also probably heard of Aurora and Cantini as they are well and upcoming brands.

One of the notable individuals in this industry who is responsible for creating killer electric violins is John Jordan of Jordan Violins. His custom-craft instruments offer musicians around the world a chance to blossom in their creativity with unique designs and exotic wood choices.

So, because you have all these choices to choose from how do you know which violin is the best for you? Well, we've taken the responsibility of researching the market to find the best electric violins for you.

Let's dive in.

Contents

5 Best Electric Violins to Buy

1. Barcus Berry, 4-String Violin (BAR-AEBK) - Our Pick

Barcus Berry, 4-String Violin (BAR-AEBK)
  • Hand crafted in our Romanian affiliate shop
  • Fully hand carved spruce top, maple back & sides
  • Highly Seasoned German maple bridge with Barcus Berry 1320 piezo violin pickup
  • Every Barcus Berry AE Series violin is set up and inspected in our violin...
  • Outfit includes Soft Canvas Case with Embroidered Barcus Berry Logo, Fiberglass...

Are you a sucker for a great violin? Do you want an electric violin that can be used both as an electric violin and an acoustic violin? If your answer is yes, then you might love the Barcus Berry electric violin. Perfect for seasoned violinists as well as passionate beginners, this electric violin is worth every penny and will give you great service for a long time.

Barcus Berry instruments have a good reputation for being high-quality, reliable instruments. They are handcrafted in Romania and promise to fully represent your brand as you perform with these stylish acoustic-electric violins. If you are a performing violinist and want a flashy-radical-looking electric violin for the stage, you may love our top pick.

Also, if you are just starting but want an instrument that you can rely on and that will make you look good among your peers and audience, this option might be for you. When it comes to electric violins, high-quality is synonymous with being willing to dig into your pocket and invest in a good instrument. Therefore, although this first option may not be as budget-friendly as the other choices on this list, you can be sure that you'll ve be getting value for your money.

    Pros:

  • Very high-quality
  • Can work both as an electric and acoustic violin
  • Long-lasting
  • Great for both beginners and professionals

    Cons:

  • Not budget-friendly

2. Stagg EVN 4/4-Size Silent Violin

Stagg EVN 4/4-Size Silent Violin Set with Case - Metallic Black
  • Solid Bodied Lacquered Maple Electric Violin
  • 4 Fine Tuners
  • 2-Band EQ & Volume
  • Metallic Black

Among all the best electric violins on this list, this is the best one for silent practice. It is also great for beginners. Therefore, if you plan on practicing your musical skills at home and are worried about the melodies waking the baby or infuriating your siblings, you might love this electric violin. Stagg violins are known for their silent nature and are usually recommended by electric violinists and violin instructors.

In addition to being known for its silent nature, this brand is well known for its high-quality electric violins. Stagg has a reputation as being one of the top-rated electric violin brands trusted throughout the industry. This particular violin comes in a variety of colors for you to choose from. Besides being a good quality violin. it also comes with a complete set. So, you can unpack it and start playing right away.

    Pros:

  • High-quality violin
  • Good for beginners
  • Comes with a complete set
  • Several  color options available

Cons:

  • Headphones are not of great quality

3. Cecilio CEVN-2BK Violin

Cecilio CEVN-2BK Style 2 Silent Electric Solid Wood Violin with Ebony...
  • Size 4/4, style 2 electric / silent violin in metallic black varnish (full size)
  • Hand-carved solid maple wood body with ebony fingerboard, pegs, chin rest and...
  • Powered by a 9V Alkaline battery (included)
  • Includes: lightweight hard case, Brazil wood bow with unbleached genuine...
  • 1 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects

This electric violin is great if you are looking for a budget-friendly option that comes with everything you need for your musical journey. However, although it is one of the best electrical violins, we recommend that you don't start your journey with it if you are a beginner as it may require a bit more experience.

Nonetheless, this best electric violin is designed with a solid body that will give you great service for a long time. If you are in the market for a reasonably priced violin to complement the one that you already have or you want to have fun with, you might love this option. Because it is made of good-quality materials, it produces better quality sound compared to other entry-level electric violins.

    Pros:

  • Cool aesthetic
  • Long-lasting
  • High-quality sound
  • Great for silent practicing because it's fairly silent
  • Stays in tune

Cons:

  • Heavier than other 4/4 size violins

4. Cecilio CVN-300 Solidwood Ebony Fitted Violin

Cecilio Violin For Beginners - Beginner Violins Kit For Student w/Case,...
  • Music Instruments for Kids & Adults: Dive into the classics! The adults and kids...
  • Elegant: Joining beautifully hand-carved musical instruments for kids, the ebony...
  • Violin Kit Includes: The Cecilio violin is dressed with D'Addario Prelude...
  • Basics: The violin for kids comes in an array of sizes (1/2 violin, 1/3 violin,...
  • Precious Craftsmanship: This violin for kids, like all band & orchestra musical...

A great electric violin for beginners who are on a budget, this option can be great for your child who's just starting on their violin journey. Also, if you have just taken interest in the violin and want a simple option to get you started, this Cecilio CVN might be the right violin for you.

The fact that this electric violin is one of the most popular models of the Cecilio brand is not a coincidence. This teacher-approved orchestra violin is great for beginners and intermediate violinists. This is because it is specially crafted to suit the needs of beginning students. We all know how frustrating it can get when learning a new skill. Luckily, this electric violin has been made with this in mind so you can expect a seamless experience.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Great for beginners and intermediate violinists
  • Easy to play
  • Reliable

5. Mendini MV400 Ebony Fitted Solid Wood Violin

Mendini MV400 Ebony Fitted Solid Wood Violin with Tuner, Lesson Book, Hard...
  • 4/4 (Full Size) violin, hand-carved solid wood spruce top, Hand-carved solid...
  • Beautiful inlaid purfling & varnish finish, Ebony fingerboard, chin rest and...
  • Includes: Cecilio chromatic tuner, Lesson book
  • Includes: Lightweight form fitting hard case with pockets, backpack straps and...
  • 1 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer's Defects

This electric violin is another great option for beginners who are on a budget. It offers a great experience for beginners who are just getting starting with the violin. It is aesthetically pleasing with its hand-carved solid wood spruce top, hand-carved solid wood maple back and sides. You might also love the beautiful inlaid purfling and sleek varnish finish.

This 4/4 full-size violin comes with a Cecilio chromatic tuner and a session book. Also, you'll get ebony pegs, fingerboards, and a chinrest with this purchase to ensure that you have a pleasant and seamless experience. The bright and vibrant tone produced by this electric violin will lift your spirits and bring life to your melody.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Great for beginners
  • Reliable
  • Easy to play

 

Now that we've looked at the best electronic violins out there, let's get down to the electric violin buying guide that you can use when purchasing your instrument.

What to Consider When Choosing Electric Violins

Here are some of the factors that you need to get started on your electric violin journey.

Price

Price is always a factor. Because of the huge supply of electric violins in the market, you can get a violin for as low as less than $200 and as high as $2,000. The choice comes down to what you can afford as well as the type of quality you want. If you are an advanced player, you may be more inclined to a top model that is crafted as opposed to the manufactured options that are okay for entry-level violinists.

Size

Buying the correct size of an electric violin can make or break your musical experience. So what do you need to do to ensure that you get the right size? The easiest way to go about this is to take a tape measure and measure how long your arms are. This may require you to do some one-handed acrobatic or ask for help from whoever is around at the time.

The good thing about electric violins is that they come in fractional sizes if the standard full size (4/4 size) is too big for you. After you've measured the length of your arm, you'll now be in a better position to know which size violin is best for you.

Weight

The truth is that electric violins weigh more than their acoustic counterparts. Why is this the case? Because of the onboard electronica and materials that are incorporated in their manufacture or crafting. Another thing to note is that this weight may not be evenly distributed across your electric violin.

Therefore, you may have some trouble balancing the weight of your violin if it's too heavy for you. Kindly ensure that this isn't the case as this can affect your ability to perform as well as bring about physical problems such as back pain.

Intuitive Feel

How your instrument feels and responds to you will affect how you play. Do you like how your violin looks? It may seem like a vanity factor but it is not. Remember that not all electric violins are crafted. As we mentioned in the price factor, most of the budget-friendly electric violins that cost less than $500 are manufactured.

Because of this, the way the electric violin feels and reacts to you is an important factor to note. The best electric violin for you will be the one that feels natural in your hands.

Features

Controls and jacks

Do you like where the knobs and jacks are located on your electric violin? If you don't, or if the cables and knobs are getting in your way, this could affect your performance. We want you to have a seamless and enjoyable experience. Therefore, as you are choosing your option among the best electronic violins we're discussed above, look at where these controls are located.

Ensure that the knobs are located at a position where you can easily adjust them while playing. This will prevent you from pulling your attention away from your melody to find the controls.

Tuning

Tuning is something that electric violins and acoustic violins share. You can tune your electric violin the same way you tune an acoustic one. However, you should check in with your model to see if it has a different tuning mechanism.

Frets

Frets are most helpful to beginners as they make the instrument easier to play. However, many violins are fretless, meaning that you won't find those raised elements that designate different notes. Nonetheless, you'll be happy to know that some electric violin models have frets. 

Effects

When choosing a great electric violin it's crucial to check if it comes with in-built effects. Some electric violins come with these in-built effects giving you a wider sonic palette. These features are convenient but not necessary. This is because you can purchase effect boxes separately. Also, these in-built effects may prevent you from producing a clean sound.

Conclusion

We hope that you've enjoyed this article and now have the insight to choose a great electric violin that will help you let your creativity shine. Remember, your violin is unique to you and you should choose the one that feels right to you, and of course, lies within your budget.

Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate violinist, or an advanced professional, we hope that you're able to find an electric violin that is best for you. Our first pick is highly recommended if you are a professional violinist who performs at gigs and competitions. If you are a beginner, we highly recommend the Cecilio CVN-300 which is our fourth option.

Always keep in mind that the quality of your music is affected by your mood. Therefore, choose an electric violin that makes you happy and speaks to your soul.

FAQs

Q.  What is a "silent violin"?

A silent violin is an electric violin that you can use with headphones or plug into your amp. When you play a silent violin while it is unplugged, it's practically silent. This type of violin is great when you're having private practice sessions and you don't want to disturb those around you.

Q. Why do some electric violins have five strings?

The fifth string is known as a "C" string and is great if you like to improvise any music style you're playing. It's a lower string that's usually found on a viola and increases the range of your electric violin. So, if you like to add a little more range to the style you're playing, you may enjoy a 5-string.

Zen Chung


I'm Zen Chung, a piano and violin teacher based out of Plano, Texas. I started this blog because my students (and their parents) kept asking about the best musical instruments to buy online. Look no further I'm here to save the day! 

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}