Why frets?

The Viper design is really cool but how do I hold it under my chin?

What's the difference between a Barbera pickup and a Wood pickup?

What type of Barbera pickup is used (hybrid or twin hybrid)?

I'm a guitarist - can the 6-string fretted Viper be tuned like a guitar and is it hard to learn to play these things?

Okay. So how do I tune a 6-string Viper like a guitar?

I have back problems and I'm having problems playing an acoustic violin with a chin rest. Are you planning on developing a chest support system for acoustic violins?

Can I buy these custom strings only with you or can I find them in other music stores?

Do you make any violas?

Why do you make 4, 5, 6 and 7 string models?

How many different colors do you offer?

What is the basic pricing of your entry-level models?

So how much to these things weigh anyway?

Help! I lost the instructions that came with my Viper/Sabre/Stingray/Cobra (and if you have ALL of those, you win a prize!). Where can I get 'em?

Do your products come with a warranty?

Why frets?

For violinists looking to expand their playing technique and stimulate their imagination, the frets provide several important features. First, with frets, the clarity of pitch and intonation is greatly improved. Second, violinists can explore chordal concepts with ease, broadening their musical vision. Third, they help visualize the "framework" of the "musical fingerboard" which helps support improvisational techniques. And it's opened up a whole new playing field for guitarists to experiment with a new instrument since they can be tuned like a guitar!
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The Viper design is really cool but how do I hold it under my chin?

We agree - the Viper design IS really cool but get this - you don't need a shoulder pad and chin rest! That's why we invented our patented Chest Support System, which is a self-supporting mechanism that allows you the freedom to perform and play on your own terms.
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What's the difference between a Barbera pickup and a Wood pickup?

The main differences between the two pickups are as follows: The Barbera has double piezo's under each string which gives the balance and tonality of the instrument a rich, deep tone and a very strong output. The Wood pickup has a single piezo and, while still a good pickup, occasionally requires a pre-amp to achieve a similar tone (based on your amp choices and other outboard gear). To enable as many of our customers as possible to enjoy the benefits of owning a Wood Violin, we include the Wood pickup at no extra charge. The pickup can be upgraded to a Barbera at any time quite easily. By the way, Mark Wood's first CD, "Voodoo Violince," was recorded before Barberas were available, using a pickup just like the Wood, with highly professional and successful results.
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What type of Barbera pickup is used (hybrid or twin hybrid)?

All 4, 5, and 6 string Barbera violin bridges are hybrid models (one transducer per string) but can be special-ordered as TWIN hybrids for an additional charge (two transducers per string). But before you go rushing out to upgrade to a twin hybrid, you should know that we feel there is not a noticeable difference between the two.
The 7-string Vipers all come with twin solid model bridges (2 transducers per string)
Our 4, 5, and 6-string Cobra cellos all come with Barbera twin hybrid pickups (2 transducers per string).

I'm a guitarist - can the 6-string fretted Viper be tuned like a guitar and is it hard to learn to play these things?

The 6-string fretted Viper can be tuned either like a violin (in fifths) or using standard guitar tuning. Many of our customers who purchase the 6-string fretted Viper are guitarists who are interested in exploring the wide dynamic range offered by an electric violin (not to mention how absolutely cool it looks on stage!). Although, as with anything new, there is a slight learning curve as you get used to the feel of the violin and playing with a bow, all of our guitarist clients have reported tremendous success with the instrument.
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Okay. So how do I tune a 6-string Viper like a guitar?

This is not an exact science, but here are some suggestions to get you started. For the high E string, take a violin D string and tune it up a whole step. For the B string, tune up a violin A string a whole step. For the G, you can use a regular violin G. For the D, use a viola C and tune it up a step. For the A, take a viola C and tune it down a minor 3rd to A. And finally for the low E, use a violin F and tune it down a half step to E.

The gauges for the violin strings are as follows (from high to low): E-9g, A15g, D-25g, G-27g, C-38g, F-49g

Using regular violin strings, just tune your Viper to the chart above and you can play a guitar tuned Viper!
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I have back problems and I'm having problems playing an acoustic violin with a chin rest. Are you planning on developing a chest support system for acoustic violins?

Several of our Viper clients have issues with neck problems of all types and they have gotten the relief they've been looking for with our unique patented design. We are proud that the instrument design addresses not only the needs of the average violinist who finds the chin rest/shoulder pad combination uncomfortable and compromising, but also those of players who are unable to enjoy and play a standard violin because of accidents or damage done to their necks and backs. In fact, a well-known neurologist and orthopedic surgeon by the name of Dr. Albert Casabona uses our instruments in demonstrations and lectures pertaining to solutions for musicians who suffer from neurological problems.
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Can I buy these custom strings only with you or can I find them in other music stores?

We just started offering custom 5 and 6-string Wood electric violin string sets which should be available at most major music stores shortly. In the meantime, all the strings except the low F-string can be purchased at any music store. The 5th string is a viola C string. The F and B-flat strings are custom-made for us by SuperSensitive and can only be purchased through us. CLICK HERE to order, ant then scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the strings.
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Do you make any violas?

Yes, on a custom basis.
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Why do you make 4, 5, 6 and 7 string models?

To offer the modern violinist and guitarist as many options as possible. The 6 and 7-string especially allow the player access to the range of bass, cello, viola and violin all in one instrument. Guitarists especially love the 6 and 7-string Vipers in that the tuning can be altered to standard guitar tuning. Guitarists can experiment with the concept of the violin bow and explore the beauty of the sound of the violin while playing an instrument that has enough similarities with the guitar to make them feel comfortable.
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How many different colors do you offer?

We offer the standard color selection plus custom colors. If you've seen a guitar finish that you like, we can do it on a violin!
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What is the basic pricing of your entry-level models?

Our lowest-priced model is a 4-string fretless Stingray - retail price is around $900.
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So how much do these things weigh, anyway?

All of our instruments are very light in weight and extremely comfortable to play! Below are the approximate weights of our most popular models. Keep in mind with the Viper that weight is not a factor since the instrument "floats" on your body! (weight shown in both grams and pounds)

Help! I lost the instructions that came with my Viper/Sabre/Stingray/Cobra (and if you have ALL of those, you win a prize!). Where can I get 'em?

That's an easy one! Just CLICK HERE and you'll be re-directed to a page where you can download pdf files with instructions.
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Do your products come with a warranty?

Yes! If you already own a Viper, Sabre, Stingray, Cobra (or SV4 or SV5), please be sure to register it with us. You can do so online by clicking HERE.