My Trip to EVS Part 2
My Thoughts on the YEV Pro
This post is a continuation of Part 1. You can read that segment first before continuing below.
As I entered the space, I was greeted warmly by Jamie, who had received my electronic note earlier about what types of electric violins I wanted to try out. He had the Yamaha YEV Pro, the original YEV, and the Jordan 5-String ready for me to play. Later on, in the 2nd half of my two hour session, I was able to try out other brands of electric violins as well.
I quickly set up my pedalboard, borrowed a bow, and plugged into the shop’s Fishman Loudbox amp. I even prepared background tracks for me to play along with. For me, it was essential that I test out these electric violins with my effects pedals. I never play my electric violin straight into the amp. The sound by itself is too dry, too thin, and too shrill. I always use saturation, EQ, and reverb (and delay) to “sweeten” the sound.
After an hour, I have pretty much reached my conclusion. The YEV Pro does sound much better than the original YEV, and its sound is almost comparable to the Jordan! (even though the Jordan cost twice as much). If Yamaha had came out with the regular YEV and the YEV Pro at the same time, I would have never bought the regular YEV! I would have just chosen the YEV Pro, and not bothered with the regular YEV, even though it is still a great electric violin.
The YEV Pro is a little bit lighter than the regular YEV, and much lighter than the Jordan. I would love to add the YEV Pro to my personal electric violin collection, but if I do that I would probably never play my regular YEV again (I would give it to my son once he grow to be able to play full size violins).
If you are an advanced violin player, and you don’t want to spend too much money (if the Jordan is above your budget), and by all means get the YEV Pro. After trying out other electric violins in the shop, I have to rank the YEV Pro as the second best electric violin out there, after the Jordan. The YEV Pro is better sounding and easier to play than many electric violin above its price range, which makes the YEV Pro an unbeatable value! The Jordan violins still are the best quality, best sounding electric violins that I have ever played, but the YEV Pro is not far behind!
My personal Jordan is a 6-string, and the YEV Pro is only 5 string. I love the ability to play lower notes on my Jordan. What I love about the YEV Pro is how light the violin is, and how easy it is to play! You sacrifice a bit in sound quality and musical range for lighter weight, amazing playability, and lower price. I am glad I didn’t have ponder that choice when I bought my Jordan years ago, because the YEV Pro didn’t exist back then.
Anyways, I had a wonderful time at EVS and I played various electric violins for a full 2 hour. It was super enjoyable! I didn’t go to EVS with the intention to buy anything on the spot. And I refrained myself from doing so, even though the YEV Pro was very tempting!
Around noon, I bid Jamie farewell, thanked him for his help, and began my 4-hour drive back home to South Carolina. If you are an advanced violinist, and if you are ever near the Durham area, be sure to visit the Electric Violin Shop and try out some electric violins! Even if you are totally new to the electric violin world, the employees at the shop will provide all the help you need to start playing these amazing instruments.
As for me, I am not sure when I will return to EVS again. If I really want to purchase the YEV Pro, I can order online and they can ship it to me. As of right now, I am happy playing my Jordan 6-string.
