An electric violin is an amplified version of an acoustic violin and it has similar characteristics to an electric guitar but has dissimilar tone variations compared to the latter. Many are curious about the difference between an acoustic violin and an electric violin aside from the obvious sound difference. Acoustic violins are all manufactured with the same shape and tune whereas electric violins come in a variety of body shapes, materials, and no. Of strings (4-string, 5-string, or 7-string). An electric violin uses additional musical equipment like an amplifier and either a magnetic or piezoelectric pickups.
When we speak of classical music, an acoustic violin makes it to the list while an electric violin is often used in contemporary classical music genre and performances such as jazz, country, chorus, reverb, and experimental New Age music. An electric violin is a rare musical instrument because not a lot of people are knowledgeable on how to use one but for those who have a background with violin playing, learning to play an electric violin is a challenge.
Since electric violins are “rare” instruments, they do not cost cheap, which makes them a good investment. There are guidelines that beginner electric violinists need to take into consideration when choosing an electric violin to use for practice and future usage. One has to cautiously choose which kind of electric violin to purchase. There are three kinds: solid electric, which is made of a Basswood body, ebony fingerboard and chinrest, a maple neck, and steel electric strings; semi-hollow electric, which has a hollowed-out wooden body, steel electric strings, and distinct shaped body intended to make it weigh less; fancy electric, which has body parts made of acrylic or polymer. Solid electric violins are the most basic type while fancy violins are eye-catching pieces which make them cost more than the other types. So, for practicality and usage convenience, the semi-hollow electric violins are most appropriate for beginners because they are lightweight and cost reasonably.
I recommend the Stagg 4/4 Silent Electric Violin, Barcus-Berry electric violin, and the Yamaha Electro-Acoustic violin as the best electric violins for beginners.
Stagg 4/4 Silent Electric violin is perfect for shy beginners who want to practice without getting conscious that others may hear in case they go out of tune. It has a 1/4″ output and 1/8″ headphone jack, volume control, and 2-band EQ. The best deal offered in selected music stores is the violin set with case and accessories (case, bow, rosin, shoulder straps, headphones) for only less than $300.
Barcus-Berry is a reputable brand of violins that manufactures hand-crafted high-quality instruments from Romania. It pioneered violin amplification in Europe. Its Vibrato-AE series of acoustic-electric violins feature traditional finishes but with a variety of colors (blue, pink, green, black, natural) and built-in bridge piezo pickup for acoustic-electric capability.
For those who are used to playing an acoustic violin and undergoes gradual transition to an electric violin, the Yamaha Electro-Acoustic violin (AV7-445GE) is a preferable choice.