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Attend ASTA in Atlanta
Win a FREE NS Design WAV Violin
 In order to support the important work of the American String Teachers Association, NS Design and Electric Violin Shop will give away a new NS Design WAV violin to a lucky ASTA attendee.
The NS WAV is an entry-priced electric violin that performs with aplomb even on the professional stage.
It’s a deal at $599 with case – free, it’s even better! See the Q&A section below for more on the WAV.
Prize includes a new NS Design WAV violin, autographed by the designer Ned Steinberger, custom case, and EVS setup with string upgrade.
You must enter at the Electric Violin Shop booth #203 in the Atlanta Marriott Marquis March 19 -21.
Drawing will be at 2:00 Saturday March 21 in the EVS Booth #203. You do not need to be present to win. |
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Heart Strings
An encouraging trend! String players are letting their hearts prevail over economic challenges. Sure, we are taking more trades and consignments of gear to help folk's cash flow, but expression through music remains a priority. From schools to churches to homes, bowed strings are a direct route to touching others in authentic ways. Thank you for letting EVS equip you for amplifying your heart strings!
Mixing It Up!
String players are getting more popular and now perform with larger groups, and in larger venues. The need for compatible sound systems has become crucial. In this example, each player already has their own personal sound figured out, with their instrument (solid body or with a pickup), and possibly an effects processor (or several!), and an amplifier they like. Multiply that times 4, or even 12 for larger ensembles, and it is challenging for the audience to hear each player well. A mixer (mixing console or PA board) allows you to do just that – mix each musician so that all the musical nuances are heard, even to the back of the hall. The person operating the mixer has the crucial role of adjusting tone and volume for all players at all times. During a solo, the sound person usually boosts their volume so they are heard, then returns it to to the blend. EVS now carries mixers from 4 to 32 channels.
 After the sound is mixed, it is amplified and sent to speakers. Some sound systems are very compact, like the Yamaha StagePas 300, whose 8 channel mixer fits into one of the two speaker enclosures. For ultimate tone we recommend the Bose L1 system (along with a mixer of proper size for your ensemble) because it functions well as a monitor for the players and sounds great in most venues.
Check out the new category on our website:
Mixers & Sound Systems.
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Please send us questions you’d like to see answered here.
Q. Compared to the NS Design CR4 at $2240, how can the new NS Design WAV violin be decent at $599?
A. The NS Design CR series instruments are made in the Czech Republic, a region long famous for instrument making, and display a very high degree of wood choice and craftsmanship. The on-board preamp offers discrete treble and bass controls and a pizzicato/arco switch, unique in the electric violin world. The tone is very natural, and there is a headphone output.
The NS Design WAV is made in China to similar design specifications as the CR series. It is a passive instrument, meaning it does not have a battery-powered preamp (which makes it a little lighter in weight). The tone is not quite as refined, but the single tone control gives some flexibility. The bridge is still easily height adjustable, and the shoulder pad mounts in the same amazingly flexible way as the CR.
WAV - CR Violin Showdown
Tone
For pure acoustic tone the CR, if you will be using effects like distortion, the WAV will do fine.
Feel
The gloss finish of the WAV includes the neck, so the CR feels more like your acoustic violin as you shift. Upper bout is removable on both.
Looks
The WAV comes in 3 colors - gloss black paint, and transparent red or transparent amber over a flamed maple top. The curl of the maple is more flamboyant on the WAV, and classier on the CR.
Headphone Practice
The CR, or connect your WAV to an effects pedal or amp with headphone jack.
Value
The WAV – it even includes a custom case. We expect the $599 price to last awhile, but foreign currency values do fluctuate.
Ned Steinberger has always sought ways to bring high quality to lower price points. From the US to the Czech Republic, and now to China, he insists on high levels of quality control, and backs it up with a generous warranty. |
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We welcome your inspiring story or a favorite quote.
Musical Quote
We have included a musical quote in every email newsletter we’ve sent since 1999 - so, let the tradition continue!
“The creation of something new is not
accomplished by the intellect
but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves. "
Carl Jung (1875 -1961) Swiss psychiatrist
“The man that hath no music in himself
Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
"
William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
Submitted by a satisfied Yamaha silent violin purchaser. |
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Yamaha Mixers
If you are looking for great quality of tone and useful features, consider Yamaha’s line of PA mixers. Some include compression, digital effects and USB in/out, at a surprising price.
Yamaha Bridge Pickup
Last newsletter we welcomed Fishman to the club of L. R. Baggs and Schatten with their permanently installed pickup bridge –  now we have the Yamaha VNP1 also. Very well engineered for good grounding and great tone, it does not require soldering. Christian Howes uses one and he really rocks it out!
ART USB Dual Pre
This USB recording interface for your Mac or PC is also a preamp for two instrument or microphone inputs. Small enough to toss in your laptop bag for recording anywhere!
Eric Aceto NVC 5 String Electric Violin
Designed without F holes or a soundpost,  and with the Aceto Violect bridge, this violin can be amplified well at any volume, with a natural tone. Carved head scroll – is it a lion, a cougar or a panther?
Bobelock Shaped Fiberglass Cases
Need all-weather protection and compact size? Pick your color too – includes black zipper cover.
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Electric Violinist in Africa
Nearly 8,000 miles from our showroom in Durham, NC, Zambian violinist Caitlin Papier is an inspiring example of just how far an electric violin can take you! Though only 19, Caitlin is already a famous performer in her country and in South Africa, playing numerous restaurants and dance clubs, as well as high-profile corporate events at major resorts. She has also played at a number of government functions, allowing her to realize an early musical goal when she played the Zambian national anthem for the late President of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa (in an arena for 1000’s of people!).
Originally hailing from the mining town of Kitwe, Caitlin is a self-taught violinist, and has benefited from the enthusiastic support of her parents, Henry and Linda. Nearly all of her public performances are on one of her electric violins. She has a black and a pearl white Yamaha SV-200 (that she likes playing with a silver J.T. Prism carbon fiber bow), a clear Ted Brewer Vivo2, a Yamaha SVV-200 electric viola, and a Fender FV-1, in addition to her 100 year-old acoustic violin, which belonged to her grandmother.
Caitlin has her own website, as well as a MySpace page. Her new duo project, CounterPoint, has a website. Congratulations Caitlin for playing your dream! |
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ASTA Atlanta, March 19-21
Make plans to attend the annual gathering of the American String Teachers Association to stoke your passion for playing and teaching strings! Many electric instruments will be in our booth #203, as well as gear for school alternative strings programs. Come to the booth to enter the NS WAV Violin Giveaway!
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