Best Cheap Electric Violin – Virtuoso Central

The violin is one of the oldest string family instruments in
existence today. Also known as a fiddle, this instrument traces its roots way
back to the 1530s, as suggested in paintings by Italian artist, Gaudenzio
Ferrari.

Although it only has four strings, the soothing, acoustic
sounds produced by the violin can make even the most rigid individual go into a
musical trance. The harmonious melody not to mention the symphony of the violin
is simply exceptional. It is therefore not surprising that this instrument
remains quite popular with artists and music lovers alike.

Although classical acoustic violins are still very popular, the electric version continues to gain prominence because its sound can be modified to fit many different music styles.

This post presents to you the top 3 best cheap electric violins that give you the best value for your money, plus I explain everything you need to know when shopping for electric violins.

The Best Cheap Electric Violin

The best affordable electric violins in the market today are:

 Read on as we take a look at the top 3 inexpensive but high-quality electric violins that will meet or exceed your expectations.

1. Bunnel Edge Electric Violin from Kennedy Violins

Whether you are a professional violinist or an amateur
inductee, the aesthetics of the Bunnel violin will leave you in awe from the
moment you set your eyes on it. The violin consists of a solid maple body
complemented with high-quality ebony fittings. Moreover, it comes with a
premium pickup coupled with a pre-amp component that guarantees high-quality sound.

What is more surprising is that you do not have to setup the
violin before playing because the final assembly and setup is done by
experienced luthiers from Kennedy violins in Washington state. This allows you to
start playing your favorite melodies as soon as you remove the violin out of
its case.

Kennedy violins offer great customer service in the U.S. with a 45-day money-back guarantee if you don’t like your instrument. Also, each electric violin they sell has a lifetime warranty providing great confidence to their customers.

Features

• Volume and tone controls are placed on the face of the instrument for easy adjusting while performing on stage.
• It includes a 1/4-inch output jack for amplifier connection and a 1/8-inch output jack for headphones.
• It comes with preinstalled D’Addario Prelude Strings.
• The bow is made from Brazilwood with real horsehair.
• It comes in three awesome colors: Rock Star Red, Jet Black, and Bombshell Blue.

Pros

• Handcrafted with solid maple body, 100% ebony fittings.
• Comes with a durable piezo-ceramic pickup
• Features premium electronics.
• Assembled by experienced luthiers from Kennedy Violins
• Good value for the quality
• Very affordable

Cons

• The bow is beginner rated, meaning that it might
  not be ideal for professionals

What’s Included in the Package

This e-violin comes with everything you need to start paying:
mini-amplifier, headphones, ¼ inch audio cable to connect to the amplifier,
professional case, genuine Brazilwood bow, rosin, D’Addario Prelude strings,
and polishing cloth.

Video Credits: Kennedy Violins

2. Cecilio 4CEVN Electric Silent Violin

The Cecilio 4CEVN is yet another exceptional electric violin
tailored for beginners, intermediate and professionals alike. Covered in metallic
varnish, the instrument comes with dozens of features that are bound to get you
started on your path of musical mastery.

It features a hand-carved solid maple wood body with an
ebony fingerboard for the ultimate musical experience when bowing your favorite
tunes. Moreover, the bow is made of sturdy Brazilian wood with unbleached
Mongolian horsehair for guaranteed durability.

This silent violin is perfect for practicing without bothering others. You can connect a headphone and with the line-in jack, you can practice with background tracks. It also features a 1/8 output jack that allows you to connect your violin to amps or PA systems with the included cable. With the volume and tone controls, you can choose the sound you want.

Pros

• Lightweight, weighing less than 5 pounds
• Solid construction
• Silent violin
• Affordable
• It comes in 5 amazing colors: black, blue, white, mahogany, and yellow.  

Cons

• The bow could be better.

What’s Included in the Package

This electric violin comes with a lightweight hard case, Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, a bridge, aux cable (1/8 to 1/4 cable), and headphones.

Video Credits: Meredith Cuddihy

3. Yamaha YEV104 Electric Violin

The Yamaha YEV104 is a semi-professional violin inspired by the organic beauty of wood. It comes in two colors: natural and black, and it is designed to deliver simplicity and excellent sound.

For example, the YEV104NT (natural color) and YEV104BL (black) are made from five different types of wood carefully selected to bring the violin’s natural sound to any performance.

One thing that stands out is its high-output passive pickup microphone, which captures the entire response of the instrument while emphasizing the delicate nuances of the bow.

Although it is significantly more expensive than the other two options presented in this post, it’s worth the price for the following reasons.

Design Features that Standout

With the YEV104 you will have an ergonomically designed violin offering the same structure as an acoustic one, plus its unique shape will stand out while performing.

Another feature that stands out is the strip-like design that provides continuity between the front and back of the instrument, making it very easy to get used to it because it will feel like playing an acoustic one. This feature helps a lot if you are transitioning from playing acoustic violins to electric ones.

Unmatched Sound Quality at this Price Range

It is no secret that the type of wood used to build an instrument is directly related to the quality of the sound it will produce.

The Yamaha YEV104 is built using five types of wood. The body is made from spruce, mahogany, and maple using a 5-layer construction technique.

The sides are made from high-quality walnut wood. The neck is carved from carefully selected maple, and finally, the fingerboard is made from composite wood.

It’s not unusual for an electric violin to sound boxy and thin, specially the lower quality ones. With the YEV series of electric violins you will get a warm, well balanced sound.

High-Quality Pickup and Electronics

It doesn’t matter how well built an electric violin is, but if its pickup mic and electronics are not up to par, it will not sound good.

One key feature of the YEV104 is the high-output passive bridge pickup microphone that comes with it. It is the same type as the one used in the SV-250 series silent violin, which costs around $1800.

This bridge with the built-in piezo-electric pickup captures the instrument’s response as intended by the player, plus the expressiveness and nuances of the bow are captured in great detail, delivering an excellent performance.

Video Credits: Suey Wong

Disadvantages

One thing I don’t like about this violin is the fact that it doesn’t come with a case and bow. You would have to buy them separately, which increases the overall price of the instrument.

Another negative is that the designers put a lot of effort into picking up good quality wood for the body and frame of the violin but decided to use composite wood for the fingerboard.

We have to understand that they had to cut some corners to keep the price down when compared to other silent violins, such as the SV-250. But still, I believe that you are getting a quality electric violin that delivers an excellent tone for the price.

If you want to learn some vital information about electric violins before choosing one, please go to the next section. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 3 inexpensive but high-quality electric violins that will meet or exceed your expectations that you should consider.

Why Choose an Electric Violin?

We cannot doubt the fact that an acoustic or classical
violin is the best representation of the authentic sound of a violin. However,
the traditional version is somehow limited in its ability to amplify sound or
play different types of music.

In contrast, electric violins are arguably more versatile as far as playing different music genres are concerned. You may use the electronic version to play nearly all types of music, including jazz, rock, or even heavy metal. The fact that e-violins can be connected to several electronic effects means that you can play different keys and tones seamlessly. Moreover, you can easily amplify your range of sound using an amp.

Another reason why you should choose an electric violin over its predecessor is that it is relatively inexpensive. Violins do not come cheaply, in particular, the traditional, classical version. However, with advancements in technology and the availability of materials used, electric violins prove to be much cheaper.

In terms of comfort, the electric violin is undoubtedly better. It has an ergonomic design, with a more comfortable shoulder rest, which helps in easing the tension around your neck and upper body. What is more amazing is that you may order a custom design to suit your specific needs.

Benefits of Playing an Electric Violin

Playing an electric violin offers so many advantages, not only to the violinist but also to the audience and public. Some of the most notable benefits include:

– Easily Recordable

If you are searching for a violin that allows for easy recording, then look no further than the electric violin. This type of violin comes with an inbuilt output jack that connects easily to an audio interface to use your PC to record your sound. Additionally, modern electric violins work seamlessly with standard recording software, making it easy to capture your best musical works.

– Easy to Learn and Use

Even though professional violinists may not recommend
electric violins to beginners, there is no doubt that electronic versions are
much easier to learn and play. Essentially, you do not have to be perfect at
bowing or good at playing different keys to produce the desired sound.

– Allows for Silent Practice

Electric violins are ideally silent, in that you must
connect the instrument to an amplifier to produce sound. Without this
connection, the sound will be inaudible. Moreover, most electric violins come
with a headphone jack that allows you to practice silently without disturbing
your neighbors.

– Compatible with Effects and Loop Pedals

The beauty of playing an electric violin is that it can be connected to effects such as reverb, distortion, wah, chorus, loop, etc., just to name a few allowing you to change the sound by mixing and matching different effects for better performance and enhanced sound quality that is completely original.

– Supports Contemporary Genres of Music

As mentioned earlier, electric violins are ideal for violinists who intend to expand on their range. This is because the instrument supports nearly all genres of music, including contemporary sounds such as rock, pop, and jazz.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Electric Violin

If you are still learning the ropes on how to play the
violin, then choosing the best electric violin for beginners may prove to be a
difficult task. However, you can make things easier by considering the
following factors.

– Intended Use

Some people may want to buy an electric violin for silent practice, while others would want one for professional use. Whatever the purpose, an electric violin is the right choice as it comes with a headphone jack that allows you to practice without disturbing your neighbors. At the same time, it offers excellent options for recording purposes and live performance.

– Build Quality

The quality of construction is another factor that you would
want to consider. This is because the materials used will determine the
performance of the instrument. Unlike traditional violins, which are
predominantly made of wood, electric violins can be made using any material,
including wood, plastic, metal alloys, and carbon fiber. These materials might
not be necessarily the best for acoustic purposes, but they are more durable.

– Ergonomics

The ergonomics of the electric violin will determine its
ease of use and level of comfort. You should opt for an instrument that gives
you maximum control when playing without compromising on your comfort around
your neck, arms, and shoulders.

– Electronics

The heart of an electric violin is its electronic components.
The pickup and preamp will determine how the instrument sounds. Therefore, it
is very important to choose a silent violin with good quality pickup coupled
with a good quality preamp to obtain the best sound possible produced by the
violin.

– Price

Price is also an important factor when shopping for an electric violin. While some brands of e-violins might be expensive running in the thousands of dollars, for a beginner or someone that wants to get started using a silent violin it is always good advice to go for a brand that provides good quality instruments with excellent value for money while remaining within your budget.

Features to Look for in an Electric Violin

Here are vital elements to look for when shopping for an
electric violin

– Pickup

The pickup is the component that rests between the bridge and the top plate of the instrument. Most electric violins have a piezoelectric or piezo-ceramic pickup. Professional and high-end brands come with carefully designed electromagnetic pickups providing a more natural high-quality sound. For beginners or intermediate players who want to start using an e-violin, choosing one with piezoelectric or piezo-ceramic pickup would be a good choice.

– Headphone Option

The headphone option found in modern electric violins allows
you to practice or play your instrument without distraction the family or your
neighbors

– Volume Control

Before purchasing an electric violin, be sure to check
whether it has volume and tone controls to allow you to adjust the volume and
tone of the instrument quickly and conveniently.

– Look for Packages and Bundles

A good electric violin bundle should include a hard case, mini amp or headphone, rosin, replacement strings, and cable. Some but not all also include a tuner and shoulder rest.

Final Thoughts

Deciding on the best cheap electric violin entirely depends on your individual preferences. However, we strongly recommend that you consider acquiring either of the two options reviewed above.

The Bunnel electric violin is ideal for all types of violinists, including inductees and professionals, while the Cecilio violin is ideal for silent practice or playing at night without disturbing anybody. But if you want the best sounding violin from the ones presented in this post, the Yamaha should be your choice.

So what are you waiting for? Make your choice and start
bowing your preferred violin today!