Best Violin Pickups
A violin pickup is like a microphone that attracts mechanical vibrations from violin and translates them into an electronic sign that can be amplified. Users have to attach this to the body of the violin. Some are permanent and will need changes to be made on the body of the instrument. On the contrary, the removable ones can easily be clipped to the violin bridge.
Best Rated Violin Pickups Reviewed.
Best of the Best  | Best of the Best | Fishman V-200 Classic Series |
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 | Kremona VV-1 Violin/Viola Pickup |
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Best Affordable  | Best Affordable | Barcus Berry 3100 Clamp-On Bridge Violin Piezo Pickup |
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 | Feather Violin Pickup |
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 | Andoer Cherub WCP-60V Clip-on Pickup for Violin |
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Every violin players always want to be heard loud and clear. As a result, getting a good quality pickup is a great way to start. Our top recommended pickups here will enable you to to make the right choice.
Fishman V-200 Classic Series Professional Violin Pickup
The Fishman Classic Series V-200 Professional Violin Pickup is a piezo-ceramic pickup. It is very lightweight and it enables you to minimize muting. This means that it will maintain the acoustic sound quality of your violin. This pickup sports a quarter inch output jack which adds to its lightness. Moreover, another selling point is that you can use this pickup with or without a preamp. You can also install it without any stress or alteration to your violin.
Pros:
- It is usable without a preamp
- Very versatile
- Accurate tone without altering the violin to install it
- Fits securely without impacting sound
Cons:
- Not good enough for a professional player
- It still can’t compare to the imbedded bridge style
In summary, the Fishman Classic Series V-200 Professional Violin Pickup is very easy to use. Although it may be a little pricey, the quality of its sound output is worth the money.
Kremona VV-1 Violin/Viola Pickup
The Kremona VV-1 Violin/Viola Pickup is made as a passive piezo pickup solution for both violin and viola. It comes encased in a lightweight tonewood. You can install the VV-1 sensor in the eye of the viol bridge with little or no modification. In addition, this is a portable and detachable piezo pickup that comes with jack. The side-mounted carpenter jack is about a quarter inch. It also features a protective cork housing to shield your violin from scratches.
Pros:
- Offers fabulous sound quality
- Doesn’t mute the sound of the violin
- Excellent product at a great price
- Installs quickly and securely
Cons:
- The body of the pickup is very fragile
- Doesn’t fit a kid’s small violin
All in all, the KNA VV-1 pickup is a removable piezo pickup with jack for violins. It will definitely last you for a long time. Since it features a protective cork housing to shield your violin from scratches.
Barcus Berry 3100 Clamp-On Bridge Violin Piezo Pickup
The Barcus Berry 3100 Clamp-On Bridge Violin Piezo Pickup is another great option on our list. It provides wideband frequency response and excellent string balance. It clamps easily to the violin bridge. This pickup features a feedback rejection that offers exceptional signal isolation for clear, true reproduction of its sound. Above all, the Barcus Berry 3100 model does not need additional hole drilling for attachment or removal.
Pros:
- It works great to produce natural violin sound
- It is easy to install, take off and use
- The sound quality is reliable
- Works perfectly without a preamp
- The gain before feedback is excellent
Cons:
- The screwing may damage the bridge
- Way more expensive than expected
In conclusion, the Barcus Berry 3100 Clamp-on Bridge Violin Piezo Pickup will surely offer you sweet experience with a great sound. It is recommended for professional players for play in the church or folk music group.
Feather Violin Pickup
The Feather Violin Pickup is an easy to use pickup from Myers. It is a lightweight tool that uses lithium batteries as its source of power. This mini pickup can fit into a lot of instruments without permanent installation. It is very faithful in amplifying the natural tone and beauty of your violin. Also, this pickup comes equipped with an internally powered, active preamp to produce a great sound. Moreover, it is compatible with the most wireless system.
Pros:
- Excellent battery life
- The clip is small and does not interfere with play
- The customer service from Gregg Myers is impeccable
- It sounds nice, full and vibrant
Cons:
- Mounting the Feather on the tailpiece requires some effort
- Not highly sensitive in terms of volume
By and large, you can never get it wrong with this Feather pickup from Myers. Surprisingly, it comes equipped with an internally powered, active preamp to offer the richest sound your violin can deliver. It is truly complete out of the box. So far it has enjoyed over 97% 5-Star rating of customer reviews on Amazon.
Andoer Cherub WCP-60V Clip-on Pickup for Violin
The Andoer Cherub WCP-60V Clip-on Pickup is a pocket-friendly option that will produce awesome sound. It comes with an 8-foot-long chord. Also, this pickup has a standard, one-quarter inch jack. Plus the fact that it clips to the violin without any need for drilling holes is another good quality. Furthermore, this pickup has a great ability to eliminate external noise. This means you can enjoy the uniqueness of your instrument without any discordant tune.
Pros:
- It is very easy to attach to the violin
- Doesn’t mute the acoustic sound at all
- Takes about a second to put in and out of the instrument
- Offers far more than it costs
Cons:
- The one-quarter inch cable is very light and too short
- It moves around a little
Overall, the Andoer Cherub WCP-60V Clip-on Pickup is very popular for its affordability and quality. Consequently, most reviewers believed it is the best quality pickup you can get at a below-par cost.
Key Consideration When Buying a Violin Pickup
However, when deciding to buy a violin pickup, there are a number of factors you must consider. For instance, you need to determine the type of player you are. There are pickups that are suitable for beginners. If you play in a band, your best pick might be the one that can project sound loudly. Interestingly, our recommended products in this article will help you buy the most suitable pickup for your violin.
- Type of Violin Pickup – Basically, there are two types of violin pickups. One is permanent pickup while the other is removable. The permanent ones will require you to make long-lasting changes to your instrument. This type will need some hole drilling or soldering for attachment. Contrarily, the removable pickups are easy to install and remove from your instrument. It all depends on your preference.
- Tone – If a tone is your major consideration, you would rather opt for a permanent violin pickup. Since the removable ones are low on tone.
- Volume – Volume of a violin has nothing to do with whether it is permanent or removable. It will often vary with manufacturers and models. If a volume is your major concern in a pickup, it always good to read reviews on major brands.
- Type of Player – This is another important factor you need to consider before making your buying decision. Your choice depends on whether you are a soloist or you play in a band. Also, you must determine whether you are a beginner or an advanced player. Primarily, a soloist will care more for tone while a band member will cherish the tone of his violin pickup.
- Budget – Violin pickups also come in the various price range. Ideally, professional players will often go for more expensive, premium quality type. Beginners and students can still make do with more affordable options.
Final Thoughts
In the end, a violin pickup is a great addition to a violinist’s repertoire of instruments when it comes to projecting the sound of a violin. Many of these tools are available on the market today. Therefore, you may find it difficult to choose one that is ideal for your play. All of our recommended products will help make your buying decision easy. However, it is important to give proper consideration to the factors we have listed in this article.
