YEV104PRO/YEV105PRO Electric Violins Debut. New High-End Models Support Peak Musical Expression Onstage with Authentic Acoustic Violin Sound and Playability
Yamaha Corporation announces the release of its YEV104PRO and YEV105PRO electric violin.
YEV104PRO
YEV105PRO
In recent years, violin performances have increasingly been featured in a variety of musical genres beyond classical, such as jazz and pop. Because of this, demand for electric violins, which are perfect for live performances and studio sessions, has also been on the rise. In 2016, Yamaha released the YEV104 and YEV105 electric violins, which combine innovative, elegant design with functionality perfectly tailored to live performances. Since then, these electric violins have facilitated the musical expression of many players in a wide variety of situations.
The YEV104PRO and YEV105PRO are newly developed High-End models that strive to achieve authentic acoustic violin sound and playability, combined with an elegant design for impressive on-stage presence. Like traditional acoustic violins, these models feature a hollow chamber body with a spruce top and maple back, resulting in a rich resonance similar to that of an acoustic violin. The bridge offers improved sound and response, thanks to A.R.E. (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement), an original wood-reforming technology developed by Yamaha. The weight of these models has been successfully reduced, making it roughly equivalent to that of an acoustic violin. They also feature Wittner Finetune-Peg, enabling rapid tuning for vastly improved playability. To cater to a wider variety of situations, the new models are available in three different colors: Deep Red, Natural and Brown, and Natural and Black. YEV104PRO and YEV105PRO High-End models help players fully harness the expressiveness developed by playing acoustic violin to deliver captivating onstage performances.
Overview
- Striving to achieve authentic acoustic violin sound
- Tuning pegs and weight selected for superior playability
- Elegant design that captivates when onstage
Product Name
Electric Violin
Model Name
YEV104PRO DR/NBR/NBL
YEV105PRO DR/NBR/NBL
* Letters following product numbers indicate color.
DR = Deep Red, NBR = Natural and Brown, NBL = Natural and Black
Key Features
1. Striving to achieve authentic acoustic violin sound
The YEV104PRO and YEV105PRO High-End models strive to achieve authentic acoustic violin sound. Like traditional acoustic violins, the body of these models features a new hollow chamber structure with a spruce top and maple back, and with slits on the side. These improvements achieve a rich resonance and excellent response, similar to that of an acoustic violin.
The bridge also features an improved design, thanks to maple wood that has undergone Yamaha's original A.R.E. wood-reforming process, resulting in sound similar to that of an instrument which has been played for many years. While the YEV104 and YEV105 featured shield covers*1 on both sides of the bridge, the new High-End models only have shielding on one side*2 and they also use thinner materials. This results in greater freedom of movement, allowing the bridge to pick up even the slightest change in bow position and translate it into sound.
A newly designed dedicated circuit, exclusive to these new models, makes it possible to produce resounding lows without needing to adjust the sound balance control with an external device.
*1 Shield cover: Metal shielding that prevents noise produced when connecting the instrument to an amplifier or other device
*2 Despite only having a shield cover on one side of the bridge, a shielded pickup ensures shielding effectiveness.
Same hollow chamber structure as an acoustic violin
Side slits in the body
A bridge with an improved design
2. Tuning pegs and weight selected for superior playability
These models have been designed to weigh roughly the same amount as a traditional acoustic violin. The four-string YEV104PRO, which offers the same range as a standard violin, weighs approximately 510 grams, making it around 50 grams lighter than the YEV104, while the five-string YEV105PRO, which covers both violin and viola ranges, weighs approximately 550 grams, making it around 40 grams lighter than the YEV105. This makes it possible to enjoy a playing experience that feels almost the same as that of an acoustic violin.
The tuning pegs selected for these models are Wittner Finetune-Pegs, which are preferred by many violinists for onstage use. These pegs have high-precision enclosed gears, making it easy to tune accurately and allowing for quick tuning when onstage.
Wittner Finetune-Peg
3. Elegant design that captivates when onstage
Following the previously existing and innovative Möbius strip-like design, which provides continuity between front and back, the High-End models have a three-dimensional design that looks gorgeous from any angle. To give them that true High-End feel, these models also feature a glossy Yamaha tuning fork mark, applied to the head using nickel electroforming. Additionally, the chin rest hardware is now black, making it consistent with the rest of the instrument's outward appearance. To cater to a wider variety of performance environments, both models are available in three color variations: Deep Red, Natural and Brown, and Natural and Black.
Glossy tuning fork mark
Color lineup (from left): Deep Red, Natural and Brown, Natural and Black