Are you a violinist looking for the best way to amplify the sound of your acoustic violin conveniently? If so, violin pickups are the perfect solution for your situation.
With a quality violin pickup, you can boost your sound while reducing feedback without an external microphone. These accessories are more affordable options than buying an electric violin.
Nevertheless, since it could take you a lot of time and energy to find a suitable fit for you, we've gone ahead to assemble a list of the best violin pickups you can buy.
Let's get right in.
Contents
1. Fishman V-200 Classic Series Professional Violin Pickup
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The Fishman V-200 is the overall best violin pickup on the market. The Fisherman company has a high reputation for its acoustic amplification expertise. This means that this professional violin pickup is undoubtedly a high-quality product that will reproduce the sound of your violin with impeccable accuracy.
This Piezo-ceramic pickup has a Carpenter-style quarter-inch output jack which you mount on the side of your violin without any alteration in the installation process. The Fishman V-200 is passive, which means it doesn't need any batteries to power it. As a result, you could attach it permanently or temporarily on your violin according to your needs.
With an impedance-matching pre-amp like the Powerjack, Platinum Stage, Platinum Pro EQ, or the Aura imaging preamp, you can realize the full potential of this professional violin pickup Fishman. Nevertheless, if you prefer a simple reproduction of the sound, you can use it independently.
Pros
Cons
2. KNA VV-3 Detachable Passive Piezo Pickup
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The KNA VV-3 is a lightweight piezo pickup with a wood-encased sensor built to amplify your violin's natural sound. It is a relatively affordable option, definitely worth your consideration. You can clip it to the bridge and attach the ebony jack output box to the side of your violin. The 1/4" Carpenter Jack is made of solid ebony and will firmly hold to the violin using a clever and adjustable cork-lined clamp.
As a result, it provides a transparent and warm tone with premium clarity by amplifying the high-quality sound of your violin. This makes this model superior to the KNA VV-1 violin/viola pickup. Unfortunately, there are no controls on this violin pickup, so, you'll have to adjust the volume, EQ, and other features on your amplifier. This is the best violin pickup you can get on a budget, and it is beginner-friendly.
Pros
Cons
3. The Feather Violin Pickup with Flexible Micro-Gooseneck by Myers Pickups
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As the name suggests, the Feather violin pickup is a lightweight model with an internally powered and active preamp that is perfect for amplifying the beautiful tones of your violin. It uses a sensitive omnidirectional violin transducer to magnify the natural sound. The flexible goose-neck on the clip allows you to position the microphone with fine adjustments to ensure that it can easily pick up the sound.
The Feather violin preamp has a soft rubber volume knob that is fluted to put you in control of the output to make adjustments even from the stage. Since this pickup is small and subtle, it won't affect your violin's outlook, making it a great choice for classical violin players or purists who prefer to keep their aesthetic unaltered.
Pros
Cons
4. Barcus Berry 3100 Clamp-On Bridge Violin Piezo Pickup
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Another budget-friendly option is the Barcus Berry 3100 clamp-on bridge violin pickup. After clipping it on the bridge, and connecting it to a jack output, the Barcus berry 3100 pickup will boost the sound of your violin naturally. Unlike the KNA VV3 which comes in a stylish wooden case, this pickup has a small black case that holds the jack output socket.
It features a 'feedback rejection' function that ensures a clear, isolated signal that reflects the violin's original sound. With its wideband frequency response, the on-bridge violin piezo pickup Barcus Berry 3100 adds clarity and transparency to the sound being produced.
It costs a little more than a typical violin pickup, but it features easy installation and provides a superior sound quality. Since it's clipped, you can remove this pickup without any tools or equipment if the need arises. The metal clip that connects it fits easily on the violin's body with some subtlety. Nevertheless, it's not the most invisible violin accessory, but it's still one of the best violin pickups you can buy today.
Pros
Cons
5. Headway The Band Violin Pickup
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In a list of the best violin pickups, we can't fail to mention Headway the Band violin pickup system. It is easy to use, sounds awesome, and has a pickup system featuring magnetic fields. It uses velcro instead of a typical clamp or mount and works like a large rubber band that you fasten around your instrument. It's an instant and passive pickup that can fully amplify your violin's natural sound intuitively and with wide dynamic range. Headway, the band violin pickup system, doesn't need any batteries to run, neither does it require any attachment tools.
Unfortunately, the velcro straps wear out over time, which a downside to this violin pickup. The design is hardly subtle on your instrument since it moves across the body's width with the jack output on the top. Regardless. The high sound quality and its dynamic capabilities make it suitable for a professional or intermediate player. Its bulkiness might not be appropriate for preserving the traditional aesthetic of your instrument.
Pros
Cons
6. LR Baggs Violin Pickup with External Jack Mount
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The LR Baggs is another discreet pickup that offers a great amplification sound for your violin. This bridge pickup has in-built multidirectional sensors which reproduce the pure sound of your acoustic violin with high tune quality. Since it's a bridge, you'll have to get it professionally fitted and trimmed once for all. The LR Baggs pickup features a small jack output that you can clip to the edge of your violin with a protective cork casing which protects your instrument.
However, to get the jack in place, you'll need to solder it, which could be best handled by a professional. It comes with transducers which reject ambient sounds like finger noise and feedback, projecting only the relevant musical tone you need.
This pickup is a bit expensive but still a cheaper option in contrast to a high-quality electric violin. It is an excellent choice for a classical player because of its non-intrusive appearance and purity of tone. If you wish to amplify yourself without unnecessary feedback, this is one of the best violin pickups you can buy.
Pros
Cons
7. Carpenter Jack Pickup with Micro-Gooseneck by Myers Pickups
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The Carpenter Jack pickup by Myers Pickups is a small, active, and versatile choice that is a great option for your violin because it is easy to use and install. It looks like a small black box featuring a thin microphone attachment that is compatible with various instruments.
The Carpenter Jack also has a micro-goose neck that you can use to adjust the pickup's position to detect the sound from the best angle. You can clip this pickup on the edge of your violin together with the built-in jack output. Unlike a passive pickup, the Carpenter Jack needs a battery to work. Fortunately, the package comes with a pre-installed battery to get you started.
Once you install it, only the black box on your violin's side is visible along with a tiny violin transducer facing whichever direction you choose. This makes the Carpenter Jack the most subtle and yet effective pickup in this review. It produces a transparent, high-quality and feedback-free output.
This violin pickup offers the perfect solution for violinists looking for a versatile and flexible amplifier that is easily adjustable during performance.
Pros
Cons
8. Cherub WCP-60V
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The Cherub WCP 60V is one of the most affordable and easiest to use a piezo pickup. The Cherub WCP 60V clip is compatible with the violin's 'f' hole featuring contact microphones that detect all the sound vibrations on the surface of your instrument. The 60V clip-on pickup is fitted with rubber to ensure they don't damage your violin's structure while also making it easy to remove it.
It has a plastic build, making it lightweight and doesn't need any batteries to run. The 2.5m cable with a 1/4 jack is relatively short making it suitable for home use, or a small stage. It can eliminate ambient noise which means less feedback for this relatively low-priced pickup. It has an obvious appearance as it clips on the 'f' hole while covering the body considerably.
With its budget price, it is perfect for beginner violinists who want to amplify their playing at home or on a small stage. It doesn't have the best sound quality, making it less than ideal for professional musicians.
Pros
Cons
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Violin Pickups
Before you buy a violin pickup, there are several factors to keep in mind to ensure you get the best option available. Let's look at them below.
1. Types of Pickups
Pickups exist in four main types; piezo, micro-goose, bridge, and magnetic pickups
- Piezo
Piezos are the most common pickups, and they come in a variety of prices. They function by detecting the vibrations from your violin to provide a brilliant, high output sound. It will produce a deeper sound when on or close to the 'f' hole than if placed behind the bridge.
- Magnetic Pickup
Magnetic pickups are more sensitive to sound dynamics and give out a warmer tone. Unlike piezos, this type of pickup is modulated by the string balance vibrations. They are more expensive than piezos and are preferred by professional musicians and violinists.
- Micro-goose Pickups
These versatile pickups are perfect for reproducing natural sound. They use tiny transducers attached to the preamps for better sound control. They are omnidirectional, allowing you to try out different angles and directions.
- Bridge Pickups
Some violin pickups come as full bridges that need permanent installation. These bridges have transducers that detect sound and convert it to signals. They are the most inconspicuous and ideal option if you don't want to alter the aesthetic of your instrument. However, they require professional installation and are more expensive than other pickups.
2. Power
Pickups are either passive or active. The passive type doesn't require a battery to run. They contain magnets and transducers that produce electrical currents so you can directly plug them in. On the other hand, the active pickups require a battery and double as a mini amp, but some come with pre-amps. They have a higher and more consistent tone output and don't need external shaping.
3. Positioning
Some pickups are designed to clip onto bridges while others are more versatile and can be clipped onto the 'f' holes. Since micro-goose pickups are flexible, they offer the most berth for positioning. You should position the violin transducers towards the 'f' holes under the bridge to get a louder and deeper sound.
4. Permanent vs Removable
Depending on the frequency of plugging in your violin, you can choose between a removable pickup and a permanent one. Violin pickups with clips or clamps are mostly removable while the bridges with transducers are more permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best violin pickup?
The overall best violin pickup in this review is the Fishman V-200 Classic Series Professional Violin Pickup. It is a quality product which is also versatile and longlasting.
2. What is the best professional violin?
The Cecilio CVN-300 Solidwood Ebony Fitted Violin is one of the best violins on the market today.
