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Guitar shaped electric violin
Guitar shaped electric violin
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whitepawrolls

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January 3, 2013 - 3:12 pm
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I recently ran across this violin on ebay (link below) and just fell in love with the shape and design. Sad thing is its only available from China. I'm hoping someone has seen this from a US vendor as I really don't want to have to order it from China. Thanks.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200865.....1438.l2649

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Kevin M.
Nicholson, Pa
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January 3, 2013 - 4:28 pm
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I just looked at this violin and from what I see it might be difficult to play.  First thing is at the top of the neck there is a smooth transition from the neck to the tuners likle a guitar.  On a violin there is a drop down for your thumb for a landmark for your hand position. Also the same thing occurs as you go up in positions the usual landmark of the body is not there.  The next thing I see is how do you put on a shoulder rest?  I am not saying don't look for something like this here but try to keep in mind how you will go from acoustic or another electric to this electric.

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whitepawrolls

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January 3, 2013 - 4:39 pm
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Kevin M. said
I just looked at this violin and from what I see it might be difficult to play.  First thing is at the top of the neck there is a smooth transition from the neck to the tuners likle a guitar.  On a violin there is a drop down for your thumb for a landmark for your hand position. Also the same thing occurs as you go up in positions the usual landmark of the body is not there.  The next thing I see is how do you put on a shoulder rest?  I am not saying don't look for something like this here but try to keep in mind how you will go from acoustic or another electric to this electric.

With me just starting out I'm guessing the smooth transitions would be much easier to get used to vs someone who has been playing for years, but I can see the point there. It wouldn't be standard. As for the shoulder rest if you look at the video of it being played on that page he is using one there, so I'm guessing that wouldn't be that big of an issue.

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cpiasminc

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January 3, 2013 - 7:02 pm
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Well, to answer the original question, they do exist from U.S. vendors all right.  Mark Wood has a guitar-shaped electric called the Sabre, as well as their premier product, the Viper, which is more of a Flying V look and has this self-supporting chest rest and strap.  Shar also has an archtop electric which is not quite the same thing, but gives you some of the qualities that this one would.  But the thing is that you'd not likely find something even close to the same price from an American maker.  This "Yinfente" company has a ton of things like this including a "fish" shaped electric violin that is played upright on the thigh like a miniature cello, and they're all ones you can pay to have shipped to wherever you are.

There was a thread earlier about a guy who did one of these cheap Chinese ebay 5-string, and he said that while it wasn't that great out of the box, after cutting a new bridge, changing strings and some minor adjustments, it came out borderline pro-grade in his opinion, and the total cost was still less than he might have paid for a very good student-grade acoustic.

Regarding the point about difficulty of playing, From the closeup pictures, I can see that there is indeed a nut at the start of the fingerboard, but it looks as if there's a raised edge rather than a drop down.  Either way, that's a landmark of sorts. Moreover, I think the violin as an instrument needs something that just so you have a definite starting point for the playing length.

EDIT -- I just looked at another listing for a 5-string version of the same shape electric, also from Yinfente
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Stri.....2ec4e2b060

That has a side-view closeup of the neck, and you can see that there is a drop-down from the nut and not a smooth transition from the head stock.

Also, as far as the lack of an upper bout, you end up needing to depend more on anchoring your thumb against the heel rather than the bout as a landmark, and that landmark is still there if you need to play up on the violin.  This is pretty much something that anybody has to learn if you're going to play on any of the more uniquely-shaped solid-body electrics out there.  If you're really worried about the accuracy, there are fretted versions of the same shape violin, but they are quite a bit more expensive as well.

Of course, the presence of machine heads, though, as far as I'm concerned is a beautiful thing for tuning.  Friction pegs need to go the way of the dodo, IMO.

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whitepawrolls

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January 4, 2013 - 10:04 am
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Yea I had been drooling over the ones from Mark Wood every since I decided to start learning as well, but the price of even the basic viper puts it well out of my range being on a monthly check. Not to mention it would be years before I'd be at the level to actually use something of that quality. Being fretted does have a work around (and what I currently have on my Cecillio). There is a stick on called the Finger Fretter that works nicely, easy to put on, and is removable. The guitar like machine heads are another thing I like as well vs pegs, and another reason I was looking at this. The only thing I was trying originally to do was find out if this exact violin was sold here in the states though as I didn't want to order it from China in case I had problems with it.

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ADK-Mark
Adirondacks, NY
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January 4, 2013 - 1:58 pm
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Howdy White paw...

 

I've ordered some stuff through China shipped directly to my house.  I hear you, it makes a case of the nerves because of the hassle/cost of returns.  But Ebay seems to be some protection as well.  PLus this seller had a good feedback profile, something  look at when buying online.  If you were ready to buy it, I wouldn't let the fact that it's in Hong Kong or China make a difference... think of all the chinese stuff the USA gets all the time.  MIght be worth a try if you like the return program they have... plus it would keep your motivation up!!  We can always use more of that!!

Mark

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whitepawrolls

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January 4, 2013 - 5:17 pm
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Mt. Fiddler said
Howdy White paw...

 

I've ordered some stuff through China shipped directly to my house.  I hear you, it makes a case of the nerves because of the hassle/cost of returns.  But Ebay seems to be some protection as well.  PLus this seller had a good feedback profile, something  look at when buying online.  If you were ready to buy it, I wouldn't let the fact that it's in Hong Kong or China make a difference... think of all the chinese stuff the USA gets all the time.  MIght be worth a try if you like the return program they have... plus it would keep your motivation up!!  We can always use more of that!!

Mark

Yea think that's what I'm going to do.. On top of that I'm starting to think its a good idea to move back to Ft Lauderdale to get lessons, Self teaching is a major pain in the rear :)

 

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Mad_Wed
Russia, Tatarstan rep. Kazan city
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January 7, 2013 - 4:50 pm
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Hmmmm... That probably is a heavy one....duncecap

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