10 Best Electric Violins Reviewed in Detail [Feb. 2023]

Choosing the electric violin

If you’re shopping for an electric violin, it’s very important not to simply buy the first model you see that seems to meet your needs. Electric violins are varied, coming in various styles and with different sets of features, and you need to find the right instrument you can use for the months and years ahead, feeling totally comfortable playing and using it every time. Choosing the best electric violin requires time and consideration. You’ll need to think about a variety of different aspects, including the body, fingerboard, chin, and tailpiece of your chosen instrument, as well as its overall size and weight, plus any other extra features. Read on to learn more.

Body

The body of your electric violin isn’t as important as it would be on an acoustic violin, as it doesn’t have a sound box. However, it still plays a big role in how the violin plays, functions, and feels in your hands, as well as its aesthetic appearance. The materials used to make the body of your violin can have an impact on the overall sound quality, with the best woods like spruce and maple being some of the finest materials around. Bodies can also come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, from the super unique and beautifully designed NS Design WAV 4 Violin Amberburst to the more classic and timeless Mendini 4/4 MV500+92D.

Fingerboard

The fingerboard is one of the most important components of your electric violin. Typically made of wood, this thin, long part of the violin makes up most of the neck of the instrument and holds the strings in place. Fingerboards are often made of ebony, as seen on the Yamaha YEV105BL and the Crescent EV-WT. They can add style and allure to your electric violin, enhancing its overall appearance and feeling comfortable under the fingers.

Chin

The chinrest is the part of the violin that tucks under the chin and allows you to position your jaw and head just right to be able to play comfortably. All violinists have their own preferred styles, shapes, and materials when it comes to chinrests. They are often made from ebony, as seen on the Bunnel EDGE Zebrano Electric Violin Outfit, but can also be made from other materials on electric violins, like the mother of pearl inlay chinrest seen on the Cecilio 4/4CEVN-2BK. The important thing here is to choose a chinrest that feels comfortable, soft, and smooth on your skin, as having an uncomfortable piece of material under your chin can be very off-putting, even for the most experienced and talented of violinists.

Tailpiece

The tailpiece of the violin sits at the base, anchoring the strings in place and connecting them to the body. It needs to be tough and strong, able to withstand the tension of the strings. We’ve chosen models in our list that all feature durable tailpieces for optimal performance. Once again, they’re often made from ebony, as seen on the Barcus Berry BAR-AEBK, but can be made of other materials too, like the carbon fiber tailpiece seen on the Kinglos DSG1201. Be sure that the electric violin you choose has a suitably durable and attractive tailpiece.

Size

Violins, despite having standard measurements for concert performances, can come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The Vangoa – Black Full Size 4/4, for example, measures up at 31.5 x 10 x 4.5 inches, while the Bunnel EDGE Zebrano Electric Violin Outfit is much larger at 40 x 12 x 7.8 inches. Size is a subjective issue and will depend on your own size and personal preferences. Some musicians prefer to use smaller violins that fit more comfortably with their own bodies, while others favor larger models.

Dimensions and weight

As well as the physical dimensions and overall size of your violin, you’ll need to consider its weight. Carrying a violin around all day and holding a violin up in place to play can become tiring with a model that is too heavy for the musician. Many musicians therefore favor lightweight options. However, there are also some violinists who enjoy the weight of the heavier models. Our list features a range of violins at different weights, including the ultra-lightweight Yamaha YEV105BL, which tips the scales at just 1.4 lbs, as well as the much heavier Bunnel EDGE Zebrano Electric Violin Outfit, which is around 9 lbs in weight. There are also several models in the middle, at around 5lbs in weight.

Power

Unlike an acoustic violin, an electric violin has to have charged batteries inside or be connected to a power source and amplifier in order to produce sounds, so you’ll need to think about the power of your chosen violin and ensure you have the right equipment to match. Many of these electric violins are powered by 9V batteries, while others, like the NS Design WAV 4 Violin Amberburst, don’t actually require any batteries at all. This is a vital factor to think about, as paying for replacement batteries can be costly in the long term, so you may want to consider choosing a battery-free option if you want to keep your expenditure down.

Warranty

If you’re investing in an electric violin, it’s always wise to ensure that your purchase is protected by a strong warranty. These instruments aren’t particularly cheap, and even with good care, there can be things that go wrong over time, so it’s always good to have the longest possible warranty. This gives you total financial protection if your violin breaks or suffers any kind of fault, and it provides you with a lot of much-needed piece of mind too. When buying your next electric violin, be sure to read the small print from the manufacturer and see what kind of warranty is offered and how long it will last to ensure you get the coverage you need.

Price range

The price of an electric guitar is, of course, something else you’ll need to think about. Before you even start shopping for these instruments, you should set out a budget and try to find something that fits into your price range, rather than paying over the odds for an instrument you don’t necessarily need. Our list features a range of electric violins, from our Budget Pick and a few other more affordable options to more expensive entries. You can find electric violins for less than $200, less than $500, or even higher. Do remember that expensive models aren’t always better. Sometimes, you can find great value options at perfectly reasonable prices that meet all of your needs.