The Best Violin Pickups for Every Player
There are a lot of different violin pickups on the market these days. So, which one is the best for you? You can check out various violin pickup reviews, and this blog post will discuss the other active pickups and help you decide which one is right for you. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, there is a pickup out there that will suit your needs!
The violin pickup is a small device that you can clip or attach to your instrument to amplify the sound. It’s important to find a good reproduction of your violin’s original sound when it’s amplified. This could be difficult to do.
It can be hard to find a good best violin pickup, especially if you don’t know what you are looking for. You want your violin to sound great and have a lot of volumes, but you might not be able to afford a microphone or amplifier. You can consider buying various pickup brands, including the Cherub WCP 60v violin pickup and many others.
There are two different violin pickups: piezo pickups and magnetic pickups.
Quick Picks: The Best Violin Pickups for Every Player
Product Name | Product image | Check Price |
---|---|---|
Kremona KNA VV-3 Violin and Viola Detachable Passive Piezo Pickup | ||
Barcus Berry 3100 Clamp-On Bridge Violin Piezo Pickup | ||
Fishman V-200 Classic Series Professional Violin Pickup | ||
The Feather Violin Pickup by Myers Pickups |
Piezo Pickups
These pickups work by using the piezoelectricity principle. This is when a material can produce voltage under pressure and convert sound vibrations into electrical signals.
Contact microphones may amplify the violin’s sound when used in a studio for recordings or live performances.
Apparently, these pickups can be used together with magnetic pickups. These pickups are designed not to pick up the undesired magnetic fields and have a unique sound with a high impedance output.
Magnetic Pickups
The name implies that it’s made using a permanent magnet and a high-quality copper wire, which is used in the form of turns to wrap the magnet. This kind of violin pickup is frequently glued to the violin’s body.
When the strings vibrate, the vibrations produce a signal. This signal is then sent to either amplification or record equipment, usually through a cable. Some guitars also have a preamplifier inside the guitar that amplifies the signal before it gets to the cable.
Pickups are the tiny units attached to the instrument body to change physical vibrations into digital signals. If you need to buy a pickup for better sound, you should first identify your needs.
You have a lot of choices when it comes to choosing a pickup for your violin. If you only need it for occasional use, you have many options. If you want the pickup to be permanently affixed to your violin, many choices will work well for you.
Making the best choice is critical because it impacts your performance. Many instruments are designed for everlasting use. There are several inexpensive, quick to put on, and easy to remove from the instrument.
1. Kremona KNA VV-3 Violin and Viola Detachable Passive Piezo Pickup
Kremona is a brand that makes high-quality pickups for electric guitars and other instruments. Kremona is a reliable brand regarding quality, durability, and effectiveness. The KNA VV-3 violin pickup is one of Kremona’s most popular pickups.
This speaker is made with care and exceptional craftsmanship by the top professionals in Europe. The clear, pure sound it delivers is powerful and backed by a wood-enclosed sensor.
This pickup is easy to install without any modifications to your instrument, and it sounds great. There’s also an adjustable clamp that keeps it in place and a soft cork to protect the finish.
The Piezo Violin Pickup is lightweight and carries just 1.6 ounces. Just like the WCP 60v Violin Pickup, it is removable, but it is possible to leave it mounted on the violin after a performance if you want. It’s one of the greatest violin pickups on the market.
Features
- The sensor is made of wood and is quite light.
- The wood encased sensor delivers your instrument’s natural tone.
- Carpenter jack made of instrument solid ebony and lined with cork.
- A cork-lined clamp adjusts to keep the instrument firmly in place.
- It can be removed or left in place when not in use.
- Professional sound with minimal to no instrument change upon installation.
- Made by hand in Europe.
2. Barcus Berry 3100 Clamp-On Bridge Violin Piezo Pickup
Barcus Berry is a well-known brand that is popular all over the world. Suppose you are looking to buy a quality violin pickup. In that case, they are a great option because they offer high quality and durability while also having such an affordable price.
One of the top violin pickups is the 3100 piezo pickup. It quickly clamps to the bridge of your instrument and connects to the output jack with a cable. This pickup gives you great string balance and a broadband frequency response.
The model is designed to reject feedback, ensuring the violin’s pure sound delivery. The installation and removal are easy, and you’ll love how well it works.
This pickup has a weight of approximately 1.6 ounces. If you want a good sound that is amplified and warm, this is the pickup for you.
Features
- Clamps to the violin bridge with ease.
- Connects to the 3100P output jack via cable.
- Offers wideband frequency response.
- The feedback rejection feature provides an excellent signal.
- No additional tools or holes to drill.
3. Fishman V-200 Classic Series Professional Violin Pickup
Fishman is one of the top brands that help musicians get the best sound possible. Fishman has provided high-quality products to the music industry for a long time. Among its many product lines, pickups are among the most popular ones.
The V-200 is a top professional Fishman pickup. It has all of the brand’s properties and is very efficient. It also has a rich and warm tone and clear sound, all at a reasonable price.
Because the ceramic piezo pickup is so light, it won’t make your instrument sound muffled. It’s also easy to install- you don’t need to modify your instrument in any way. Plus, it has a carpenter-style jack with ¼ inch output.
The pickup weighs 5.6 ounces and is 0.5 x 2 x 3 inches. If you are looking for a world-class experience, professional violinists should try the V-200 pickup.
Features
- Pickup based on piezo-ceramic technology.
- To reduce muting, make it as light as possible.
- It is advised, but not needed, to use an impedance-matching preamp.
- Installation is simple and requires no changes.
4. The Feather Violin Pickup by Myers Pickups
Myers Pickup offers a great violin pickup model that is very lightweight. As a result, it’s a fantastic option for both short and long-term use.
The pickup’s small size makes it ideal for various musical instruments, including violins.
This feather violin pickup is easy to install and does not require any modifications to the instrument. It amplifies the violin’s natural sound and has a powerful preamp that ensures rich sound quality.
The mounting hardware is included in the package deal. The power supply is pre-installed, and every feather violin pickup is tested before delivery to make sure it works well. If you’re not happy with the pickup, you can get a refund.
Features
- The Feather was given to it because it was so light.
- It’s so little that it may be used on various instruments.
- An active, internally powered preamp is included.
- Each pickup is rigorously checked before shipping, and the power source (included) is pre-installed.
- There is no need for phantom power.
- Compatible with most wireless systems.
- Complete out of the box, plugin, and play.
- Every piece of mounting hardware is included.
- Transform your instrument into an acoustic/electric instrument with volume in seconds.
- Almost any musical instrument can be used with it.
- Made in the United States of America.
5. KNA VV-2 Violin/Viola pickup
The VV-2 is a great violin pickup for anyone looking for a pure sound and simplicity with the flexibility to adjust the output volume from the stage.
The potentiometer on this violin pickup with volume control is mounted safely to the instrument using cork-lined, fully adjustable barrels clamps.
Simply attach the pickup jack housing to the lower bout on your instrument’s 4th (G) string side, just below the waist. Tighten the barrel clamps to hold the pickup in place.
Players can control their output signal on stage or studio, right from the pickup-mounted volume knob.
The jack housing is made of laminate birch. The top is rosewood, and the piezo sensor is lightweight. This makes it sensitive to sound and easier to hear.
The VV-3V has a passive design that reproduces the natural and pure sound of the instrument without needing a battery.
The pickup comes with a barrel that you can use to attach the jack housing to bigger violin and viola bodies.
Features
- Delivers your violin or viola’s natural tone.
- On the output, jack housing is a convenient volume output control knob.
- The wooden sensor casing is light and discreet, and it is mounted in the bridge’s eye.
- It can be removed or left in place when not in use.
- 1/4″ cable jack is accepted.
6. Headway The Band Violin Pickup System
Headway is a well-known British company that makes pre-amps, pickups, and several different accessories for amplifying acoustic instruments.
The Headway brand has been around for a while. It is known for its high-quality workmanship and professional standards.
This Band violin pickup system is a great choice recommended by experts. It is very durable and easy to use.
You will not need batteries because the pickup can be plugged into the combo amp or mixing desk.
This band violin pickup system is 8.4 x 3.7 x 1.4 inches in size, and it weighs only 4.8 ounces. This pickup system also minimizes body boom and feedback and eliminates external noise.
If you want to enjoy the clear and warm sound of violins, it is definitely worth trying.
Features
- Easy instant fitting and transferability.
- Warmth and clarity of tone.
- Reduced feedback and body boom.
- No bowing nose.
- No batteries required – Plugs directly into mixing desk or combo amp.
7. Fishman V-100 Classic Series Violin/Viola Pickup
The Fishman V-100 Classic Series Violin/Viola pickup is attached to the violin bridge with Fishman’s patented Floating Mount system.
The V-100 is light to reduce the sound of muting. It has a 1/8″ mini-plug jack that attaches to the tailpiece. A 10 foot 1/8″ to 1/4″ cable is included.
You don’t need an impedance-matching preamp, but it is a good idea to have one.
Features
- Mounts in the wing slot of an acoustic violin bridge.
- Piezo-ceramic pickup.
- Lightweight to minimize muting.
- Easy installation with no alteration.
8. Mighty Mini Pickup
Last Resort Music is a good quality pickup for people who play the violin. It has a lot of high-quality pickups that make the violin’s natural sound louder.
This pickup is strong. People usually recommend it because it has a great tone and is sensitive. It’s also good for high-quality professional recordings.
This mini pickup is easy to use. You don’t need to alter the maple bridge, and you don’t need any clips. You just plug it into the amp, and you’re done.
This pickup is light, weighing only 1 pound. It’s easy to install, doesn’t require any instrument modifications, and is very affordable. Musicians will love the powerful sound it produces.
Features
- Fantastic New Innovation in String Amplification.
- Simple to Use.
- Clear and Warm Sound Production.
- Just plug into the amplifier.
- Designed for all string instruments (including guitar).
- Requires no clips and no bridge alteration.
9. Violin Pickup Carpenter Jack with Micro-Gooseneck by Myers Pickups
Myer pickups are high-quality and made by one of the best pickup manufacturers. They’re known for their excellent structural design, great operational efficiency, commendable tonal quality, and high sensitivity.
This device is typically recommended for professional players since it helps them sound more natural and improves their performance.
This is a great pickup for delivering sound. It’s a bit expensive, but it’s worth the investment. A carpenter jack mount and a flexible micro-goose neck are included with the unit. This makes it adjustable, so it will work well for you.
The Myers pickup truck is the smallest one that is currently available. The greatest feature is getting your money back if you do not want it. You will receive a full refund if you are unhappy with the quality.
Features
- Mandolin and violin pickup with flexible micro-gooseneck.
- The new carpenter jack pickup is included.
- The smallest active/preamp pickup on the market today (all-in-one).
- Transform your instrument into an electronic instrument in an instant.
- Almost any musical instrument can be used with it.
- String Instruments will love it.
- For even more adaptability, a new pickup with flexible micro-gooseneck has been added.
10. LR Baggs Violin Pickup For Acoustic Instrument
This is a great choice for professional players. It is made by LR Baggs, which is a highly respected company. They focus on pickups, microphones, and other accessories to help make your performance the best it can be.
This model is designed to be very sensitive and capture the internal dynamics of the violin. It also includes a mini vibration transducer that captures the bridge movement to create a richer tone. Plus, it gets rid of feedback and replicates the instrument’s natural tone.
This pickup is lightweight, weighing only 4.6 ounces. It is also small, with 6.2 x 4 x 2.9 inches. The LR Baggs pickup is quality tested before shipping to ensure you receive a fully functional and high-quality product. It also comes with a one-year warranty.
Features
- Features a miniature vibration transducer.
- Your favorite violin’s tone will not be affected.
- It seamlessly captures the instrument’s innate dynamics as an intrinsic component of the bridge.
- More top pros include Alison Krauss, Michael Doucet, Darol Anger, and Jean-Luc Ponty.
Choosing The Best Violin Pickup – A Buyer’s Guide!
There are many different violin pickups because many different violins and players have different needs and preferences for sound.
There are two types of violin pickups: detachable and permanent. There are also several different kinds of pickups within those categories.
Types of Pickups
Permanent Violin Pickups
Bridge replacement pickups are permanent violin pickups placed where the current bridge is.
Replacement pickups for bridges are usually made for violins. Even though they are called “bridge replacements,” these pickups have electronics that convert the vibrations from the strings into an electronic signal.
Bridge replacement pickups are a good permanent solution for picking up the sound of your violin. This is because you will only need to connect your violin to an amplifier to make it louder. It is best to have a professional install these pickups for you.
This means that installing a bridge substitute pickup on your violin could be expensive.Removable Violin Pickups
Easy and simple fit violin pickups can be attached to a violin quickly. These pickups clip onto violins and are attached to another part of the violin to pick up the strings’ vibrations.
These pickups are not always the best choice for superior sound quality for violins. Bridge-mounted pickups are quickly installed onto a violin’s bridge, and they receive the vibrations of a violin’s strings directly. As a result, the signals that these pickups output are very accurate.
Some bridge-mounted pickups change the sound of violins. This can be beneficial depending on your own preferences. An under-the-bridge pickup is a type of pickup that is temporarily installed beneath the posts of a violin’s bridge.
This type of pickup gets its vibrations directly from the violin’s bridge and from the top of its acoustic chamber. This allows it to produce a very accurate signal. You should know that under-the-bridge pickups can be tedious to install and uninstall.
Some people like amplified sound that is accurate to what they hear out of their violin. You could decide to put a pickup on your violin. A clip-on microphone can be attached to a violin to amplify its sound.
Clip-on microphones need to be attached in specific positions on each violin to amplify the best tones. This means that it takes some time and persistence to get the optimal sound.
A contact microphone is a type of pickup that gets vibrations from the violin by making contact with it. This type of pickup combines the features of both microphones and pickups.
Contact microphones need to be in a specific place on a violin for the best sound.
Important
You may like several characteristics over others whenever you decide to purchase or seek an high quality electric violin pickup.
Easy To Use
Another essential characteristic of a violin pickup is how easy it is to set it up. You want to find one that is quick and easy to get started with. Many violin pickups are simple, but some are not as easy.
A bridge replacement pickup could be a good option if you don’t want to set up your electric violin pick-up every time you play. Several models offer discreet designs, just like the violin microphones if you wish to an electric pickup.
There are different types of electric pickups for electric violins. Some are more noticeable than others. You can also choose a permanent bridge replacement pickup that is less noticeable to people.
The Sound
When shopping for a pickup for your violin, the sound it outputs is the most important feature to think about.
You need a pickup that produces a natural and pleasant sound to your ears. This will help the violin’s regular sound be heard better. Many pickups need pre-amps to make a loud sound.
You can use electronic effects to change the sound of your violin. This implies that when utilizing effects, you won’t have to worry as much about the sound quality of your violin.
The Price
Electric violin pickups come in a wide variety of costs. You can find detachable pickups for as little as $40 and permanent pickups for nearly $500.
The Barcus Berry 3100, for example, is about $100. If you select and buy a permanent pickup for your violin, you will also need to think about the cost of setting it up on your violin.
Before purchasing a permanent electronic pickup for your violin, it’s a good idea to consult your local violin store.
For more information about the different parts of a violin, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Violin for Kids
The piezo pickup turns the vibrations into an electric signal, then sent to the output jack. This means that any pedals you have between the pickup and amplifier will still alter the sound. So, in short, yes, they will still work.
A pickup is a small tool that attaches to the bridge of your violin. It works the same way as your violin does. The vibrations from the strings go to the bridge, then to the soundpost and bass bar, and finally, the pickup feels them.
There is some evidence that suggests you can teach yourself how to play the violin. If you have a good ear, are analytical, and have good body awareness, you might be able to learn the basics on your own. However, there are many details you could get wrong without a teacher.