For violinists looking to expand their playing technique and stimulate their imagination, the frets provide several important features. First, with frets, the clarity of pitch and intonation is greatly improved. Second, violinists can explore chordal concepts with ease, broadening their musical vision. Third, they help visualize the "framework" of the "musical fingerboard" which helps support improvisational techniques. And it's opened up a whole new playing field for guitarists to experiment with a new instrument since they can be tuned like a guitar!
We agree - the Viper design IS really cool but get this - you don't need a shoulder pad and chin rest! That's why they invented the patented Chest Support System, which is a self-supporting mechanism that allows you the freedom to perform and play on your own terms.
The main differences between the two pickups are as follows: The Barbera has double piezo's under each string which gives the balance and tonality of the instrument a rich, deep tone and a very strong output. The Wood pickup has a single piezo and, while still a good pickup, occasionally requires a pre-amp to achieve a similar tone (based on your amp choices and other outboard gear).If you choose the Wood pickup, it can be upgraded to a Barbera easily later.
By the way, Mark Wood's first CD, "Voodoo Violince," was recorded before Barberas were available, using a pickup just like the Wood, with highly professional and successful results.
The 6-string fretted Viper can be tuned either like a violin (in fifths) or using standard guitar tuning. Many of our customers who purchase the 6-string fretted Viper are guitarists who are interested in exploring the wide dynamic range offered by an electric violin (not to mention how absolutely cool it looks on stage!). Although, as with anything new, there is a slight learning curve as you get used to the feel of the violin and playing with a bow, all of our guitarist clients have reported tremendous success with the instrument.
We offer custom strings that will allow you to tune it exactly like a guitar. The stock violin strings tuned in fifths won’t work for this.
Wood Violins makes a small number of instruments available at any time, as well as custom ordered models. You can choose from what the distributor currently has, or special order your own perfect design, for the same price. If your favorite is a gloss black and it is in stock, the price is the same as if you special order a gloss black. All Strings Attached’s web site always has the most currently available stock. We prefer to get exactly what our customers are looking for, so we don’t assume what you will like by keeping piles of inventory. Check our web site, call and e-mail us – we’ll tell what is available right now, and what the wait time is for a custom.
To offer the modern violinist and guitarist as many options as possible. The 6 and 7-string especially allow the player access to the range of bass, cello, viola and violin all in one instrument. Guitarists also love the 6 and 7-string Vipers in that the strings can be changed to match the guitar tuning. Guitarists can experiment with the concept of the violin bow and explore the beauty of the sound of the violin while playing an instrument that has enough similarities with the guitar to make them feel comfortable.
If you actually multiplied out the number of options available, they would actually add up to 88,000 different combinations! Color is only one level – there are many types of finish from solid to transparent, burl woods, tiger striped maple, and tuners in gold, black and silver on Vipers. With so many to choose from, you’ll need to browse the Wood Violins web site as well as ours to see all your options.
The lowest-priced model is the SV-4 and SV-5 Stingrays, at $599 and $799 respectively. The lowest priced custom model is the Custom Stingray, 4 string fretless with natural finish and standard pickup. It starts around $1800 – but call for pricing.
All of the custom instruments are very light in weight and extremely comfortable to play! Below are the approximate weights of our most popular models. Keep in mind with the Viper that weight is not a factor since the instrument "floats" on your body! (weight shown in both grams and pounds)
4 or 5-string fretless Viper:
6-string fretted Viper:
7-string fretted Viper:
4 or 5-string fretless Sabre:
4 or 5-string fretless Stingray:
851g (1.876 lb.)
1,000 g (2.204 lb.)
1,050g (2.314 lb.)
675 g (1.488 lb.)
612g (1.349 lb.)