Violin/Fiddle: Installing a Pick-Up System

Subject: Re:Palatino 350 Electric Violin
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 14:32:24 -0800

Good afternoon. My name is Diego, and I will be a "Beginner" Violinist/Fiddler (I am a 22 year guitar player primarily electric, therefore my interest in electrification!). I am interested in the Palatino 350 outfit with the Pickup, but of course I have questions. My other option would be a "Florea" Student Violin (Romanian made), and adding a Pick-up on my own.

Greetings,

Glad to assist if I can:

I believe that the Palatino VN-350-E is no longer available...we put together a very nice sounding electric violin out of a Johnson Palatino...it sounded great to me...I played it myself and was surprised at its reponsiveness electrically...as compared to solid body electric violins which seem to be on average non-responsive...

1. How does the Palatino hold up quality wise to other student Violins In general?

The Palatino is comparable in quality to many other Chinese makes...and certainly seems to hold up as well as you can expect. It's a great value overall.

2. Do you "Set it up" at all prior to shipping?

As long as the violin does ship from us, and is not drop-shipped from the factory, it is set up to play and includes a 9-point set-up checklist...

3. How does the sound compare to the "cheap" completely electric Violins? (Such as the "Maestro Brand" "Grand" or "Carlo Robelli")

I believe the acoustic violins, with installed pick-ups, are far more responsive and louder (than most solid body electrics)...additionally, it's nice to have the versatility of playing acoustically as well as electrically...the only drawback is potential feedback problems due to the body sympathetically vibrating from surrounding instruments...such as drums.

4. DO you do the electric modification yourselves? (I have not seen this on-line any where else…)

Yes, we install violin pick-ups ourselves...and will install one in any current violin we carry.

Good luck with your research...Mickey

Thank you for your time and effort!!

Diego Costantino