While traditional violins are classy and sleek, an electric violin should be a staple of a violinist’s collection due to their cool design and sounds. Electric violins are favored by many of today’s violinists because they deliver a much more progressive sound which can be used in various contemporary songs. They also sound great by themselves!
While acoustic violins generally get all of the attention, electric violins are instruments that can wow an audience. These violins can be made to sound like almost anything you want since their sound is all digital. One of the best makers of electric violins is none other than Yamaha, maker of many other great instruments. In this article, we’ll show you the best Yamaha electric violins so you can start playing the electric violin from a quality brand.
An added benefit of electric violins (also known as silent violins)Â is that you can practice your violin without disturbing others. You can use headphones instead of an amp to play the electric violin so you can practice whenever you want, even at 3am! While you could always choose to use a violin pickup on a regular acoustic violin, electric violins have better sound quality and just look cool.
Electric violins come in various shapes and designs. Due to the number of electric violins in the market, it might be difficult to choose which of these deliver quality features which could ensure optimal performance. To help you in deciding, we have listed the top 10 best electric violins on the market.
Best Overall Electric Violin
Made by one of our favorite violin brands, the Bunnel NEXT electric violin is a great beginner electric violin that comes with everything you need.
Features:
• Realistic sound
• Piezo electric pickup
• Starter kit
Best Sounding Electric Violin
The Yamaha SV200 delivers a natural tone that mimics the sounds of a real violin.
Features:
• Realistic sound
• High-quality
Cheapest Electric Violin
If you’re a beginner looking to try out an electric violin, this is a good fit. The sound quality isn’t that great, but for $70 you can’t go wrong.
Features:
• Complete kit
• Very Affordable
• 1-year warranty
Don’t forget the amp!
Since these are electric instruments, you will need an amplifier to make sound. Make sure you buy a quality amp so that you get the best sound. We recommend the Fender Frontman. While it was made for guitars, it will work with violins as well.
Best Electric Violins
| Best Electric Violin | Price |
| 1. Bunnel NEXT Electric Violin | |
| 2. Kinglos 4/4 Electric Violin Kit | $228.99 |
| 3. Cecilio 4/4 CEVN-2BK Electric Violin | $149.99 |
| 4. Yamaha SV-130 Concert Select Silent Electric Violin | |
| 5. Bunnel EDGE Electric Violin | |
| 6. Yamaha YEV105NT Electric Violin | $744.99 |
| 7. Yamaha SV200 Silent Electric Violin | $1,364.99 |
| 8. Crescent ViolinSmart EV20 Electric Violin | |
| 9. D Z Strad 4-string Electric Violin | $550.00 |
| 10. Cecilio L4/4CEVN-L1NA Electric Violin |
Electric violins come in all sorts of shapes and designs, and also feature a variety of features. While sound quality plays a major role in buying a traditional violin, it is not as significant of a factor for electronic violins because the sound from electric violins travels through wires and out via an amp.
Deciding on which electronic violin to purchase can be a daunting task. One of the main reasons why is that electric violins are quite difficult to find at local music stores. Many of today’s electronic violins are bought online. On this article, we have compiled a list of the best electric violins on the market.
Bunnel NEXT Electric Violin
Recommended For:Â Player wanting an electric violin starter kit
The Bunnel NEXT Electric Violin does not need assembly for a complete setup. It could also be played readily the moment violinists would open the case. It produces an admirable and pleasing sound. The violin is handcrafted and solid-carved with a solid maple body. It is also equipped with ebony fittings and piezo-ceramic pickup. Its outfit, on the other hand, includes an instrument cable, a mini-amp, D’Addario Prelude strings, and a genuine Brazilwood bow, among others. Over-ear headphones are also included for at-home practice.
The kit includes headphones, an amp, batteries, bow and case.
Kinglos 4/4 Electric Violin Kit
The Kinglos 4/4 Electric Violin Kit is constructed with a hand-carved solid spruce body with four detachable fine tuners. It is further equipped with an ebony fingerboard, a chin rest, and pegs. Its pick-up system includes a DV-9 active pick-up with tuners of volume and tone, a mic and phone, and socket of line out. Its outfit consists of a case, rosin, bow, a shoulder rest, and a set of strings. The violin is guaranteed to produce a sound quality with a resonant and an intact tone.
Cecilio 4/4 CEVN-2BK Electric Violin
The Cecilio 4/4 CEVN-2BK Electric Violin is built with a handcrafted solid maple wood body with pegs, a chin rest, and an ebony fingerboard, among others. It delivers an optimal style and functionality whether you are practicing or performing on stage. The violin package comprises a bow, a rosin, and a well-padded lightweight hard case. The electric violin is recommended for students and professional violinists. It comes in various colors to suit the preference of the player.
Yamaha SV-130 Concert Select Silent Electric Violin
The Yamaha SV-130 Concert Select Silent Electric Candy Apple Red 4/4 Violin feels like a standard acoustic violin when played. It is equipped with an onboard reverb so that its ambiance could be adjusted depending on the preference of the player. It is designed to allow violinists to practice silently any place at any time. Its circuitry offers a better sound quality while reducing the noise output. This electric violin could be used by violinists of all levels of expertise.
Bunnel EDGE Electric Violin
The Bunnel EDGE Electric Violin could be set up without requiring assembly. It could also be played readily the moment violinists would open the case. The violin is hand-carved with a solid maple body. It includes control sliders to adjust its tone and volume. It produces a good sound for practices or performances. It is also equipped with ebony fittings, D’Addario Prelude Strings, and a responsive Brazilwood bow. Over-ear headphones are also included for at-home practice. The violin and its equipment could be stored in a hard case.
Yamaha YEV105NT Electric Violin
The Yamaha YEV105NT Electric Violin light and easy to use violin which is designed for professional violinists. The YEV105NT is a 5-string violin which means that you use viola strings as well to provide the low C string.
Its design is simple yet visually appealing. It has a great sound which is clean and appealing. The violin is made from six various kinds of wood that add to its overall resonant and organic sound. It is a silent violin, but does not come with an amp.
Yamaha SV200 Silent Electric Violin
The Yamaha SV200 Silent Electric Violin is constructed with various kinds of wood that add to its overall resonant and appealing sound. Moreover, it delivers a natural tone and pure tone that increases its expression. Its oval-shaped neck has a specially formulated finish that offers an authentic acoustic violin feel. The electric violin comes in various attractive and sleek designs. Users of diverse expertise could practice using the violin in silence.
Crescent ViolinSmart EV20 Electric Violin
The Crescent ViolinSmart EV20 Electric Violin comes in an attractive and appealing design for its price. It comes with a bow, a rosin, and a padded case, among others. It also includes headphones so that users could practice the violin without disturbing other. Violinists of varied expertise – from students to professional musicians – could use the electric violin in rehearsals or performances.
D Z Strad 4-string Electric Violin
The D Z Strad 4-string Electric Violin is professionally and appropriately set up, tuned and ready to go. Its sound quality is appealing and resonant. It is equipped with pegs which are reliable and smooth. It also includes ebony pegs and a fingerboard, a Brazilwood bow, and a D Z Strad violin case. Beautiful and dependable, this electric violin is a great choice for professionals.
Cecilio L4/4CEVN-L1NA Electric Violin
The Cecilio L4/4CEVN-L1NA Electric Violin is constructed with a hand-carved solid maple wood body with ebony fingerboard, pegs, and chin rest. Its Brazil wood bow is comprised of an authentic unbleached Mongolian horse hair. It delivers an optimized functionality and style whether you the player is on rehearsals or performing on stage. The electric violin is recommended for students and professional violinists. It comes with an attractive and fashionable design. The electronic violin could be stored in a lightweight case when not in use.
Best Yamaha Electric Violins
Best Yamaha Electric Violin
The Yamaha SV 130 is the most popular silent violin by Yamaha since it is one of the more affordable Yamaha electric violins. It also has amazing sound and a built-in reverb that can mimic a practice room, a concert hall, or a cathedral.
Features:
• Single piezo pickup
• Built-in reverb
• Aux-in
Best Yamaha 5 String Electric Violin
Kennedy Violins is one of the highest rated violin brands by customers and it shows. These fantastic intermediate violins are handcrafted from solid maple and spruce tonewoods, and come with everything you need to get started playing.
Features:
• Beautiful wood
• High-quality sound
• Easy set-up
Most Affordable Yahama Electric Violin
While no Yamaha silent violin is considered “cheap,” the YEV104NT electric violin is definitely on the more budget-friendly side at less than $600 at the time of this writing. Like the 105NT above, the 104NT is crafted out of six beautiful woods.
Features:
• Beautiful sound
• Looks amazing
• Hand-crafted
Yamaha SV-130 Silent Electric Violin
The Yamaha SV 130 is the most popular silent violin by Yamaha since it is one of the more affordable Yamaha electric violins. It also has amazing sound and a built-in reverb that can mimic a practice room, a concert hall, or a cathedral.
The SV 130 includes a single piezo electric pickup to produce the great sound. It also has a aux-in port so that you can play along with recorded accompaniment or favorite music.
The outfit comes with everything you need to get started including case, shoulder rest, rosin, and headphones. The violin itself is available in the following colors:Â black, candy apple red, antique brown, and navy blue.
Yamaha YEV105NT 5 String Electric Violin
The Yamaha YEV105NT silent violin is a beautiful instrument constructed from six different types of wood. The sound quality is as amazing as the instrument looks. It doesn’t need any batteries or headphones to play either. Just hook it up to amp and get jamming.
It is a five string electric violin which means that it has the E,A,D,G strings of the violin and the C string of the viola. You’ll have to buy the C-string separately. For recommendations as to which viola strings are best, read our viola strings guide.
The only downside to the YEV105NT is that it doesn’t come with a case or a bow since Yamaha expects that many violinists will already have their own bows and cases. If you still need help finding a new case for this violin, read our guide on the best violin cases.
Yamaha YEV104NT Electric Violin
The Yamaha YEV104NT is the most affordable of the Yamaha electric violins at less than $600. It’s beautifully crafted from six different woods and has a great sound for the price point.
This silent violin makes a great instrument for live performances, especially if you’re concerned about the aesthetics of the violin and the tone.
If the style isn’t quite what you’re looking for, try the YEV104BL model instead.
Yamaha SV200 Silent Electric Violin
If you’re looking for a more traditional electric violin, look no further than the Yamaha SV200. The oval shaped neck is designed to feel just like a regular acoustic violin down to the finish used.
While the body of the violin is all black, the neck and bridge are made from maple. The rest of the features including the fingerboard and chinrest are made from ebony.
You have the option of getting an accent under the fingerboard in blue, red, or wood-color, but we personally like the black color for this silent violin.
Yamaha SV-250 Electric Violin
The main differences between the SV-250 and the SV-200 above are the addition of the dual pickups which are located in the bridge and body, and the beautiful antique maple flame finish.
This electric violin is extremely lightweight at only 14 oz, weighing the same as an acoustic violin. This makes it very comfortable on the shoulder for playing.
As with most of the other Yamaha’s on this list, the SV-250 doesn’t come with a bow or case, so you will need to find one on your own.
The only complaint that people have is that the strings should be replaced. The SV-250 comes with D’addario Zyex strings, but when replaced with Larsen Virtuoso violin strings, the sound is much richer.
Yamaha SV-255Â 5 String Electric Violin
The SV-255 is another great five-string electric violin, however, it is about $1000 more expensive than the Yamaha YEV105NT reviewed above. The SV-255 is designed to look and feel much more like a traditional violin, from the weight (530g) to the shape of the body.
This violin features dual pickups: a piezo pickup in the body and a bridge pickup. By using the control box, you can select the ideal mix of sounds that you want from these pickups.
The unique hollow-body design is made from premium woods including ebony and maple.
Our main concern with the SV-255 is the price. At over $1800, you want to make sure that this is the right electric violin for you. Since there are many other electric violin options both from Yamaha and other brands, it might make sense to save your money.
Best Cecilio Electric Violins
Cecilio makes great beginner and intermediate electric violins that provide a low cost way for you to try them. Below we’ll discuss the best Cecilio electric violins.
| Best Cecilio Electric Violins | Price |
| 1. Cecilio CEVN-1BK Electric Violin | $149.99 |
| 2. Cecilio CEVN-2BL Electric Violin | $131.24 |
| 3. Cecilio CVNAE-Black+SR Electric Violin | $129.99 |
| 4. Cecilio CEVN-3BK Electric Violin | |
| 5. Cecilio CEVN-4BK Electric Violin | |
| 6. Cecilio CEVN-L2NA Electric Violin | |
| 7. Cecilio CEVN-L2W Electric Violin | |
| 8. Cecilio CEVN-L1Y Electric Violin | |
| 9. Cecilio CEVN-L2BK Electric Violin | |
| 10. Cecilio CEVN-L1BL Electric Violin |
1. Cecilio CEVN-1BK Electric Violin
The Cecilio CEVN-1BK Electric Violin consists of a hand-carved solid maple wood body. Its fingerboard, pegs, tailpiece, and chin rest are made up of ebony wood. The tailpiece, in particular, consists of a mother of pearl inlay. The violin is varnished in black metallic color. It is powered by a 9V alkaline battery, so you can play it even without plugging it into an outlet. The electric violin also includes a lightweight hard case, a quality rosin cake, a Brazil wood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair and a bridge. It also comes with an aux cable and headphones, giving you the option to play it through an amplifier or not.
2. Cecilio CEVN-2BL Electric Violin
The Cecilio CEVN-2BL Electric Violin is composed of a hand-carved solid maple wood body and ebony fingerboard, a chin rest, a set of pegs, and a tailpiece with mother of pearl inlay. It is finished with a blue metallic varnish, although other colors are available including black, white, mahogany, and yellow.When bought, the violin comes with a Brazilwood bow with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, a quality rosin cake, a lightweight hard case, a bridge, an aux cable, and a set of headphones.
3. Cecilio CVNAE-Black+SR Electric Violin
The Cecilio CVNAE-Black+SR Violin is an instrument that could work as an acoustic or an electric violin. It consists of a hand-carved solid spruce top and solid maple back and sides with volume and tone control. It also consists of an ebony wood fingerboard, pegs, chinrest, and tailpiece, and four nickel-plated fine tuners.Aside from the violin itself, the set also comes with a Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, an adjustable shoulder rest with soft foam padding with soft rubber feet, a lightweight foam fitting hard case, a high-quality rosin, a violin bridge, and an AUX cable.
4. Cecilio CEVN-3BK Electric Violin
The Cecilio CEVN-3BK Electric Violin is composed of a hand-carved solid maple wood body with ebony pegs, fingerboard, chin rest, and tailpiece with mother of pearl inlay. It is powered by a 9V alkaline battery. Users have the chance to choose the suitable color of their choice: black, blue, white, mahogany, and yellow. The violin comes in an outfit which consists of a Brazilwood bow with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, a quality rosin cake, a lightweight hard case, a bridge, an aux cable, and a set of headphones.
5. Cecilio CEVN-4BK Electric Violin
The Cecilio CEVN-4BK Electric Violin is composed of a hand-carved solid maple wood body with ebony pegs, fingerboard, chin rest, and tailpiece with mother of pearl inlay. It is powered by a 9V alkaline battery. Users have the chance to choose the suitable color of their choice: black, white, blue, yellow, or mahogany. The violin comes with a Brazilwood bow with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, a quality rosin cake, a lightweight hard case, a bridge, an aux cable, and a set of headphones.
6. Cecilio CEVN-L2NA Electric Violin
The Cecilio CEVN-L2NA Electric Violin is an excellent violin for left-handed players. It is composed of a hand-carved solid maple wood body with ebony pegs, fingerboard, chin rest, and tailpiece with mother of pearl inlay. It is powered by a 9V alkaline battery. It is finished with a metallic mahogany varnish.When bought, the violin comes with a Brazilwood bow with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, a quality rosin cake, a lightweight hard case, a bridge, an aux cable, and a set of headphones.
7. Cecilio CEVN-L2W Electric Violin
The Cecilio CEVN-L2W Electric Violin is an excellent violin for left-handed players. It is composed of a hand-carved solid maple wood body with ebony pegs, fingerboard, chin rest, and tailpiece with mother of pearl inlay. It is powered by a 9V alkaline battery. It is finished with a pearl white varnish.The violin comes in an outfit which consists of a Brazilwood bow with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, a quality rosin cake, a lightweight hard case, a bridge, an aux cable, and a set of headphones.
8. Cecilio CEVN-L1Y Electric Violin
The Cecilio CEVN-L1Y Electric Violin is an excellent violin for left-handed players. It is composed of a hand-carved solid maple wood body with ebony pegs, fingerboard, chin rest, and tailpiece with mother of pearl inlay. It is powered by a 9V alkaline battery. It is finished with a yellow maple metallic varnish.This instrument comes with a Brazilwood bow with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, a quality rosin cake, a lightweight hard case, a bridge, an aux cable, and a set of headphones.
9. Cecilio CEVN-L2BK Electric Violin
The Cecilio CEVN-L2BK Electric Violin is an excellent violin for left-handed players. It is composed of a hand-carved solid maple wood body with ebony pegs, fingerboard, chin rest, and tailpiece with mother of pearl inlay. It is powered by a 9V alkaline battery. It is finished with a black metallic varnish.The violin comes with a Brazilwood bow with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, a quality rosin cake, a lightweight hard case, a bridge, an aux cable, and a set of headphones.
10. Cecilio CEVN-L1BL Electric Violin
The Cecilio CEVN-L1BL Electric Violin is an excellent violin for left-handed players. It is composed of a hand-carved solid maple wood body with ebony pegs, fingerboard, chin rest, and tailpiece with mother of pearl inlay. It is powered by a 9V alkaline battery. It is finished with a blue metallic varnish.The violin comes with a Brazilwood bow with unbleached Mongolian horsehair, a quality rosin cake, a lightweight hard case, a bridge, an aux cable, and a set of headphones.
How You Should Pick Your Electric Violin
We looked at a lot of different electric violin brands and narrowed our list to only the top 10 electric violins by setting up relatively strict criteria to adhere to during the reviews.
When looking for the best electric violins in the market, you should consider scrutinizing the features which they offer. Each of these electric violins provides distinct features and styles which may suit to the preference of a violin player. To guide you on how you are going to pick the best electric violin, you should consider the following features.
Build and Construction
The construction of the electric violin is one of the primary features which you should look for. Primarily, the electric violin that you should choose should be sturdy and has a well-thought-out design. When an instrument is durable, you are ensured that your electronic violin is built to last a long time.
Brand Reputation
The reputation of the violin brand should also be taken into consideration when looking for an electric violin. Usually, brands that have earned a good reputation for consistently producing quality instruments. It is worth noting that this feature is not absolute since certain brands are also able to produce good instruments.
Cost
When buying a new electric violin, you should consider your budget. You should see to it that instrument that you will purchase will deliver significant features which are commensurate with its price. Consider picking the electric violin which is equipped with the right characteristics you are looking for but would still fit your budget.
These are just some of the features which you should consider when looking for the best electric violin from the market. However, it should be noted that the final decision on which electric violin to choose from will depend on the preferences of the violinist who will use it.
Conclusion
When deciding on an electric violin, make sure you choose one that fits your style. While sound quality is a component, it is not as big of a driver as with regular acoustic violins. Choosing an electric violin that fits your style will make you look and sound that much better.
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