I am considering using an electric violin instead of an acoustic violin, but I am not sure how good electric violins are now. The main reason I want to use them is so I can play whenever I want without disturbing anyone (which is generally the issue), but I am not sure how they sound compared to an acoustic. Anyone familiar with them and can provide their opinion on how the tone is, as well as how different it is to played compared to acoustic?

As with an acoustic violin, or any instrument for that matter, you will get what you pay for (generally-speaking). Expect to shell out $500+ USD for something half-way decent. That's all you really need to keep in mind. A good tone will come from a good-quality instrument. That, and be sure to do research on various brands/models before you commit to buying one.

As for the timbrel differences, electrics sounds like an acoustic violin, only... electrified. That varies with how much headroom and distortion you have going on. Here's an electric with a very clean sound (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEe9sXO1M-I) (i.e. similar to an acoustic).

Now for the crux of your post, you will probably be disappointed to find that many electrics aren't much quieter than acoustics, even with headphones. Don't get me wrong, they certainly *are* quieter, it's just that it probably won't be *as* quiet as you expect. Electrics are cool though and have their own distinct advantages. Just for a couple examples, you can plug it into a computer and record directly (if you want to), or you could plug it into an amplifier and get a distorted tone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpZ-Sj2DknA&#t=2m5s) and other effects, like 'wah' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os8J7A35Ruo&#t=1m24s). That is also one of the disadvantages, since you rely on electricity in some form to achieve a clear, solid sound, whether through headphones or an amp. It'll just sound weak and wimpy without electricity (much like any other electric stringed instrument).

Acoustic-electric (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OGKDpnzK1c&#t=1m36s) is also possible if you like acoustic timbre, and don't want to always really on batteries or wall sockets, but still want to amplify easily (probably won't do you much good since you want a quiet violin).

Well I wasn't expecting a totally silent unheard violin (it would be physically impossible to micmic it without the string vibrating anyways), just silent enough that it just sounds like a whisper that cant be heard outside of a closed room, which is where my problem lies. My violin playing is generally too loud that it can be heard pretty clearly outside of the room. If I can reduce it such that once door is closed, you won't be able to hear it, then it's what I am looking for.

The volume of an unamplified electric is roughly equivalent to a muted acoustic violin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lcOFKL9jVw). So, you can just get a mute (http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=violin+practice+mute) for your acoustic, and skip getting an electric, if you only want an electric for quieter practice.

how do you get an "octave lower" sound without tuning the electric violin?

lyndonkey hasn't logged-in since November 11th, so there's probably not much point in replying, but I guess for the sake of anyone else who wants to know:


how do you get an "octave lower" sound without tuning the electric violin? You'll need a type of active effects processor unit called a "pitch shifter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_shift#Pitch_shifter)". Check out these examples (http://www.bossus.com/gear/productlist.php?ParentId=258) from Boss. Minimal searching would help you discover other brands too.

This can obviously be used on any other electric instruments as well, and even vocals or acoustic instruments through a microphone. You can even set an interval and both the original signal and processed signal will go through at the same time to harmonize with each other. Pretty cool stuff actually.

Here are some examples: One (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uXPZpUgTOU), Two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DavStThG4ZM&#t=42s), Three (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J-AZ9C4l5A), Four (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe-Vy3HDyQ4)

I already hear and talk with a violin player that plays Viola and electric violin. So i'll answer, if it can help someone else :think:

About the silence : You'll just ear the strings vibrations. So it's good to play without disturbing the neighbourhood. The sounds appear to be more "high" (not detuned ! )

My friend says that he isn't very comfortable to play with the electric instrument. He mean that as there is no body (it's just strings upon a microphone) he can't hear himself (through his instrument) while playing in a band and doesn't like so much the sound, because the heart of the instrument is missing : "the soul" (sorry about the term , I'm french :sweat:).

Another point: as it's electric, the mic is "on" the strings and the sound at the output is very... "direct" : you'll have to add some effects to colour and give it warmth. Add to this that you hear each bowing !

His bought a model from "Stagg". He didn't buy it expensive ( 200€ the complete electric violin : the instrument, the bow, the case and the cushion support), because he disagreed to spend money in this kind of instrument compared to the use he his doing.

But, I'm sure if he compare with the Yamaha's family, he would by happier !

Ah! A last point (but not of the worst): he changed the hole strings and play with his viola's bow.

Im not sure if my opinion matters but I have always played on an accoustic violin. When I first tried the electric violin, I hated it.

It wasn't able to reproduce the resonance and echo stuff that accoustic violins make. And for practicing, I can't go through without it.
=/
Maybe if you put stereos around the room, it might be able to create the resonance that accoustic violins can make.

If you want to avoid disturbing people, theres also a mute thing that doesn't cost very much. Its a piece of rubber that you put on ur bridge. Which again, I didn't like it cuz It doesn't allow you to provide full sound.

In summary, don't get an electric violin lol. Its a waste in my opinion.

There are high quality electric violins out there -_-