VIOLECTRA- THE TRUE PIEZO-ELECTRIC VIOLIN
Violectra's success lies in its combination of an innovative instrument design with a unique system of piezo- electric bridge transducer technology. ( 'piezo' literally means 'pressure sensing'). This works by replacing the acoustic body with a skeletal- frame body construction. The piezo-electric signal produced is directly sensing wood vibrations with no possible loss of tone production, distortion or feedback usually found when amplifying through an air born acoustic body. Violectra works by the string tension over the bridge being increased in mass by the wooden frame underneath. This is similar to how a tuning fork increases in volume when struck and placed upon a wooden surface. An active response is created by the interaction with the arched and open frame of the body underneath.
VIOLECTRA-ASHWORTH BRIDGES
In 1996, I developed a unique bridge system with a leading manufacturer of piezo bridges; Ashworth Electronics, of Cornwall. With this collaboration, each bridge is made and fitted by myself per instrument . Using a single transducer for each string, a balanced signal is produced and can be adjusted if necessary. The result is a powerful output with full tone and the dynamic response more accustomed to an acoustic instrument.
STRING MODELS
Piezo
amplification responds to the increase of pressure caused by extra strings.
Over the years, I have worked with the world's leading string makers and
now electric string players can choose between 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 string
violin and viola models and 4 & 5 & 6 string cellos models. This
has increased the range from violin to viola, cello, or double bass on
one instrument..
These opportunities have revolutionised the face of modern composition
and improvisation. Many Violectra players are leaders in their versatility
of musical styles.