Yamaha Silent Series SV-255 Electric Violin - Shaded Brown

Dear Amazon Support Team,I purchased the Yamaha Silent Series SV-255 Electric Violin in April 2024 for $2,200, but it has had a persistent issue from the start. The Fine Tuning Pegs and Tuners are constantly loose, making it impossible to tune and use properly.Given the cost and reputation of this instrument, this issue is deeply disappointing. I would like to request assistance to either repair or replace the violin. I am willing to discuss additional costs if necessary.Please advise on how to proceed. I look forward to your support in resolving this matter.Best regards,Tefera Mergia

It produces great stable sound on all string with a very good and healthy signal.I found 3 problems when using this violin:1) You must use the control box, the instrument is unusable without it, and in some situation you just want to connect directly quickly without carrying the box along, especially if you want to play wireless and you have to carry and maintain another box, batteries etc.2) The chinrest is plastic. You cannot use your own custom chinrest.3) The shoulder rest is a bit flexible and unstable.

It sounds better than some mid-range eviolins (e.g. Ted Brewer, Bridge), but it is noticeably dearer and has a way to go before giving a truly unclipped violin sound. The problem is in the pickup, but you will need to find a custom-build model in order to improve on it. It will also struggle as there isn't enough wood in the body to achieve much depth of tone.The neck isn't fashioned properly for a completely natural "4-string with an extra string tacked on" feel, and as such feels slightly artificial when moving between 4- and 5-string violins. If you want to avoid having to make that mental leap every time you switch then you really need to look elsewhere.The supplied strings don't have enough tension in the C string and as such the action needs to be adjusted to a pretty high setting in order to avoid having the string buzz against the fingerboard if you play at high volume. This just makes playing on the C string harder.That said, if you're going for a 5-string violin and don't like the NS series look & feel, and don't want to have to take a punt on a hand-built custom model then this will probably be ok. But the price is so high (it should really cost no more than $1,300 than be in the $2,000s) you can afford the lower end of the custom-built alternatives, or save up and buy a Violectra (although those are really expensive).

There are only two solid body electric violins I've heard that even come close to sounding like violins. The other, the NS Designs CR-5, is about a grand more. But though the Yamaha is cheaper, no other electric gives you: balanced out signal; phantom power; and an AC adapter option. I think this is the lightest solid body electric as well.Pros: (1) Most importantly, it sounds gorgeous. Paired with a good amp (I use a Fishman Loudbox) it has a beautiful, natural tone that doesn't require electronic effects. Even the bridge pickup, which produces a more “traditional” electric violin sound, is a Yamaha VNP-1, (q.v. on YouTube) and sounds quite natural. (2) It feels and plays like a violin. It's very light, uses your favorite shoulder rest, and has all the correct touch points for shifting. (3) The five-string setup is very smart. Strings are correctly spaced and after about a week of practice, string crossings should be no problem.Cons: (1) The chin rest is built-in and it's plastic. It rattles a little if you play the instrument like a ukulele, but under the weight of your head it's silent. (2) The headphone jack won't work as a monitor when using phantom power, even if you have batteries installed. On the other hand, phantom power isn't even an option on other violins. A handy ground lift switch switches off phantom and gives you your in-ear monitor back. (3) The AC adapter has a standard electronics plug and will pull out easily if you mount the control box on your belt. The included cable is plenty long enough to use the control box as a stomp box, and any commodity 1/8" trs cable will work as a replacement. (4) It's a little uncomfortable to play if you play without a shoulder rest. There's a metal blade which hangs below the violin to hold the shoulder rest. If you don't use a shoulder rest, you must balance this blade against your collar bone. It's not terrible, but you'll probably need some thicker padding than a cotton handkerchief.