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Epoch
Violins Reviewer: Mykl Lozin Distributor: Epoch Musical Instruments |
For more than two hundred years the traditional violin family has stood the test of time, consequently any variations on the theme, including many new electric violin designs, are generally going to be met with a deal of scepticism. That is, until now!
Enter the people at Epoch Musical Instruments with their groundbreaking technology and ingenuity in design. The Epoch violins are dual-purpose, being both an instrument that’s acoustic, and electric. Their models are built not only from wood, but also incorporate the latest in carbon fibre bonding technology. This is an Australian made instrument that has been specifically designed for string players.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The first thing that strikes you about an EPOCH violin is its simplicity of line. It’s stylish with a stunning array of colours available. Ranging from primary colours to metallics, to one-off customised designs. Of course, if you prefer, the more traditional finish is always available. Rather than just focusing on the top end of the market, Epoch have taken the sensible approach in designing a well balanced range of instruments to suit all budgets. Starting with the entry level Acoustic Series as a logical alternative to the overseas and sometimes poorly made products, it is colourful, robust, and ideal for students. Next in line is the Electric Series VE4 fitted with Epoch’s customized piezo pick-up. Just plug it in to your favourite pre-amp and you are ready to rock.
The EPOCH flagship is the Professional Series; these are available in either 4 or the 5 string combination featuring the carbon fibre models. These violins are equipped with the hand-built EPA active pre-amp and EP series Piezo pick up. Also, there is a wide or narrow neck as well as bridge options. The whole package is beautifully presented within a velvet-lined professional aluminium flyte case. All the instruments are designed to withstand the most extreme climates, unaffected by heat and humidity. Preset bridges come with all models, and these are very easy to change and no tools are needed.
Striking are the differences of the EPOCH to the traditional violin shape, with their unique flat belly and back, trendy F-holes, open style peg box and modern scroll. But the real surprise is the alloy rod (for added strength) extending over the body’s full length and supporting the bridge system. There is an easily accessible 9-volt battery compartment built in for the EPOCH Pro series Violins with the built in pre-amp system next to the tailpiece endpin. The volume and tone control is a dual pot, located at the top left hand side of the body where the neck joins the instrument, and is easily adjusted with the thumb for that extra volume during solos.
THE PRE-AMP & BRIDGE
The preamp for the Epoch instruments is designed to do a very simple job well. It is there to provide impedance matching for the pickup, plus a small amount of tonal adjustment. It employs discrete class A design using field effect transistors (FETs). It has a linear potentiometer instead of the usual logarithmic type for the volume control, as this allows for fine level adjustment over a useful range. You'll notice that shifting the control from around half way to full gives about the right amount of boost for a solo etc., although it is accepted that violinists have a high degree of control over their volume and tone with their playing technique. The bridge is noticeably thinner than normal wooden ones due to the carbon fibre construction. It is supported independently off the body and EPOCH use two soundposts (hole in the heart) to ensure maximum response from the instrument.
Epoch has designed an instrument that is totally serviceable. The Neck joint unlike traditional violins is not glued on, thus making it easily replaceable if ever damaged. Putting it to the test, I disassembled and reassembled ready to play as quickly as changing a couple of strings…impressive. Even the bridge can be interchanged changed quickly with no loss of sound quality.
PLAYING
This is where personal preferences will always be the final choice, but let me state that as a performer for over 30 years playing many fine and rare instruments, that despite its design for mass production, these are real violins. The feel of the instrument is quite solid, comfortable and well balanced. Remembering that these particular instruments had literally been made the week before, and had never been played in, I expected the usual tinny rawness…not so! I found that there was no effort required to produce a very acceptable tone. The open-strings gave great clarity, whilst playing three octave scales showed no obvious dead notes. The tone is warm and well defined…and a far cry from other imported instruments that have been chilling us for years with their screechy sound. Parents and teachers with delicate ears take note!
In the studio I plugged the EPOCH into a Soundtracs desk bypassing any EQ. From long slow notes to launching into a more ferocious approach (as is my want), the EPOCH VP-4 delivered music that was clean and precise. The bottom end was rich with the depth of a cello with mids as warm as a viola. Turning my attention to the tone control of the pre-amp I found that the centered position was the most natural for this instrument, with acceptable treble brightness when fully boosted. Trying this next with a PA system the VP-4 and VP-5 gave exactly the same results and no eq was needed! The EPOCH pre-amps are very powerful also, allowing the instruments to have plenty of natural cut in a live gig situation. I chose to run the VP-4 and VP-5 through a Digitech RP2000 armed with an ample array of reverbs, distortions, pitch shifts, wah-wah etc, etc. Again, live, the sound was solid and as impressive as the instrument itself.
CONCLUSION
This is definitely an eye-catching and fun instrument to play, and like all stringed instruments each one has its own unique characteristics. The price is within reach to parents of aspiring string players, and it easily compliments more advanced students and professionals who wish to stand out with the latest technology.
QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
BANG-F0R-YOUR-BUCK
OVERALL
