Based on a 1713 Stradivarius, Elvari looks, feels, and responds like a violin should. Our Alpine spruce tone plate shapes the bridge vibrations before they reach the pickup, helping preserve the natural character of the instrument.
My name is Jens Elfving, and I couldn’t find the electric violin I wanted, so I teamed up with violin maker Sten Styrélius and built it.
I spent 14 years obsessing over electric violins so you don’t have to…
Ready to get your Elvari?
✅ 10% deposit.
✅ Secure your place in our production schedule, and we’ll begin crafting your instrument specifically for you.
✅ Return within 14 days of delivery if you are not 100% satisfied.
€2,846
Made to order
People kept asking for a 5-String…
So we went back to the drawing board and made the necessary adjustments to make it easy to play. As a classically trained violinist, I was honestly sceptical at first, but let me tell you a secret… Having a C-string is SO much fun! 🔥
Ready to get your 5-String Elvari?
✅ 10% deposit.
✅ Secure your place in our production schedule, and we’ll begin crafting your instrument specifically for you.
✅ Return within 14 days of delivery if you are not 100% satisfied.
€3,305
Made to order
Hidden secrets…
Most electric violins pick up the bridge vibration directly. Elvari does something different. The vibrations of the bridge are instead sent down to and interact with, a tone plate made from fine alpine spruce wood. The tone plate acts as the top plate of an acoustic violin. The tone plate is carefully tuned and attenuated in relation to the body in order to minimize the handling noises which otherwise occur easily when handling an electric violin. Our unique pickup system thus has an acoustic part that picks up and processes the vibrations before they move on to the amplifier.
Just louder, please!
Plug into any instrument-level input. Elvari gives you a strong signal without any need for active electronics or batteries inside the instrument. Explore effect pedals, amplifiers, PA systems, and other music gear with a powerful signal with an acoustic violin character – instead of starting with the hard, raw sound you may have experienced from other electric violins. Experience the convenience of having an easily accessible, “invisible” volume knob. Forget trying to avoid feedback and unwanted handling noises from the violin body. You don’t have to worry about attaching a pickup or mic and cable to your fragile acoustic instrument either.
But how does it feel?
At only ~ 500 grams, it feels just like an acoustic violin or even lighter, because the balance point is so much closer to the shoulder. Despite the lightweight design it is more robust and not as sensitive to changes in climate and humidity as an acoustic violin. You can use your own shoulder- and chin rest.
Fun & easy to play
Our electric violins are handcrafted in Sweden. We can therefore ensure that each instrument has professional playability. The custom violin setup and the familiar shape, based on Stradivarius 1713, make the transition from your acoustic violin seamless.
Wireless Violin
The unique placement of the output jack hides the wireless transmitter and puts the weight where it should be – on your shoulder. The placement also means that the weight of an instrument cable ends up in the right place. Wireless systems also have the added benefit of making your Elvari active – if you need this. There are many good ones on the market, but the best one we have tried is the Fishman AirLock.
Profanity Safe™
Our pickup system does only pick up vibrations – no airborne sounds. This despite the fact that the Elvari has an acoustic component built into the tone plate.
Our Story
Elvari started out as a master project at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in 2012. Jens Elfving was disappointed with the electric violins on the market and decided to make an electric violin with professional playability. The project got a perfect score and the prototype was later sold to Aalborg University.
In 2013 Jens contacted violin maker Sten Styrélius in Stockholm who, in cooperation with a jazz violinist 1997, had developed an electric violin with a focus on acoustic violin tone. The violin had a unique pickup system with a tone plate made from fine alpine spruce wood.
The two concepts complemented each other perfectly. Both the playability and the tone were improved further, and after several prototypes and countless revisions, their new design was finally ready to meet Stradivari and the rest of the world…
26 electric violins
Electric Violin Shop has done a quick comparative test of 26 electric violins. Elvari is the eighth violin and starts at 4:50. Which one do you think sounds the best?
Electric Violin Shop has also made a review of Elvari:
“Shorts”-video featuring Elvari:
FAQ
The violin is a perfect acoustic design – not a perfect electric design. Attaching a pickup will turn any violin, even a Stradivarius, into a mediocre electro-acoustic with constant risk of feedback and unwanted handling noises from the violin body. Many violinists are also hesitant to attach mic and cable to their fragile acoustic instruments.
Experiment! Any amplifier or PA system with an instrument-level input will work. Do not connect Elvari to amplifiers that are made specifically for electric guitar as they usually cannot reproduce Elvari’s output signal correctly. A full-range amplifier for acoustic instruments is required to give Elvari’s tone justice. We have found that the Boss AC-22LX on the “AB” (Air Feel) setting sounds great and surprisingly loud. This affordable amp weighs only 8 lb & 14 oz (4 kg) and can be battery-powered. It also has stereo line outs so that you can connect directly to other amplifiers or a mixer when you play at larger venues.
Another option is the Roland Mobile Cube. It doesn’t provide as much amplification as the Boss, but it offers a very nice sound quality and works excellently in smaller settings. It also has some effects. It’s a very cost-effective and easily transportable alternative (weighs only 5 lb & 9 oz, or 2.5 kg).
If you look closely at the tone plate you can clearly see a little countersink. This is where the bridge should stand. Just like with an acoustic violin it is important to regularly check that the bridge is standing up straight (not tilting forward or backward) for optimal tone quality.
In Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Västerås. Contact us for more information.
You can plug Elvari into any instrument-level input. The standard 1 megohm impedance of these inputs will give you a nice, rich sound.
Yes, Elvari is much more silent than an acoustic violin, so you can practice without disturbing anyone. Even without amplification, the instrument has a good and dynamic tone. This makes Elvari a very good practice violin. The transition from acoustic violin to Elvari is, thanks to the design, almost seamless.
Shipping is free within the EU. Please contact us if you live outside the EU and we will find out what your shipping cost will be. We do however reserve the right not to ship to certain destinations.
Elvari is passive but still outputs a powerful signal. Active electric violins can interfere with electronics in wireless systems. In addition, heavy 9V batteries are needed which must be replaced before each concert. The built-in passive electronics in Elvari mean more reliability, and reliability is priceless in a live context. Wireless systems have an added advantage in that they make your Elvari active – if you need this.
Yes. We recommend good-quality synthetic strings or steel strings based on your own preferences. No strings specially made for electrical violins should be used on Elvari. The tone plate and the bridge need the pressure from ordinary violin strings to work well.
Feel free to experiment with different effect pedals for electric guitar. It is a matter of personal preference. We like the Line 6 Helix family of products.
Around 6 months. Expected delivery time will be specified on your invoice.
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