V.com weekend vote: Have you tried playing an electric violin?

By Laurie Niles: Over the weekend I attended the annual NAMM Show - the giant gathering of the National Association of Music Merchants at Anaheim Convention Center - and wow, I saw a lot of electric violins. I am a classical violinist who plays on an acoustic instrument that is 200+ years old, and I completely love that. However, I do live in the 21st century and have wide-ranging musical tastes. I find the whole world of electric violins intriguing and full of possibility. But it's also a little overwhelming! When it comes to all the possibilities around effects, sound technology and amplification, I can start to feel out of my depth if I am talking to a true gearhead. There are so many kinds of electrics - Yamaha's YEV and Silent violins, the Viper (one of the first, developed by the rock violinist Mark Wood), Volta (which I just saw at NAMM), 3DVarius (which you see in this picture of me, from last year's NAMM show), to name just a few. Being around all these electrics, I wondered, how many of my friends at Violinist.com have delved into this world? Or even just put a toe in the water? I have put a toe in the water, but still don't play an electric violin with any frequency. From going to these shows, I have had the chance to try out a few of these instruments. And it's a nice way to do it, surrounded by people who know how to set up all the technology! I've also tried them at places like Metzler Violin Shop, which held a workshop about them a few years back. And, a number of years ago I purchased a YEV, so I actually do own a five-string, but it still remains new to me - I have not played it much. Have you ever tried an electric violin? Was it at a shop, or show, or maybe someone else's instrument? What kind have you tried? Do you actually own an electric violin and play it regularly? What kind is it? What are your thoughts about it? Or maybe you have never played a designated electric violin, but you have amplified an acoustic violin for shows. Or, perhaps you have never played an electric violin. If so, are you curious? Would you enjoy trying one, if presented the chance? Or are you pretty happy to play an acoustic violin? Please participate in the vote, checking off which option best represents your experience, and then share your thoughts in the comments. And by the way, I'll share all our coverage of the NAMM Show in a post later this week! You might also like:

• A closer look at electric violins
• A Sneak Peek at the New Yamaha Electric Violin
• Setting up my Yamaha Electric Violin, on a budget

* * *

Enjoying Violinist.com? Click here to sign up for our free, bi-weekly email newsletter. And if you've already signed up, please invite your friends! Thank you.