Here at Wood Violins, we manufacture electric violins, violas and cellos that are so unique and revolutionary their design has been patented. We feel this gives us the right to broadcast their "coolness" as loudly as we possibly can and trumpet the existence of an alternative way of approaching this very special instrument. These are VERY COOL instruments aimed at players who are anxious to explore new territory. We are the ONLY electric violin company run by string players for string players, and have been referred to as the Stradivarius of electric violins. We emphasize this point because it is what truly separates us from other companies and should really factor into your decision about going electric. We are very passionate and committed about providing highly specialized customer support to our clients both before and after your purchase and will help you with amp options, pedal choices, music and exercise books and lots of other stuff. Be sure to visit our message board - an incredibly valuable resource and gathering place for everyone who visits our site to share their thoughts and ideas. You'll find everything from Mark Wood's personal equipment recommendations to advice about how to choose a configuration that we will build just for you. So WELCOME TO WOOD VIOLINS and have fun exploring our site!

These violins are not just for professional players! Our clients range in age from 8 years old and up! Whatever your level, our instruments will help accelerate your playing experience!

MARK WOOD'S MISSION STATEMENT:

"In a world where it is still a new experience for an audience to witness an electric violinist in concert, I firmly believe that my vision as an instrument designer is to provide an exciting approach to keeping the surprise factor alive and well. In addition, my instruments simplify and streamline the whole concept of playing the violin. They are the perfect example of practicality, innovation and originality. I take pride in offering the best customer care in the electric violin market and developing my website into a safe haven and informative meeting place for musicians to share their ideas and playing experiences. Visit our message board - I’ll be checking in often to offer my own insights! E-mail me any time - I look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you may have."
~ Mark Wood ~ Owner and Operator of WOOD VIOLINS

About Our Company

Wood Violins offers handcrafted instruments that are designed and hand-built exclusively in the USA and we are dedicated to a truly unique concept in manufacturing electric violins. The instruments created by premier electric violinist Mark Wood reflect over 20 years of painstaking investigation, exploration, performing and touring. Initially designed and built solely for the purpose of satisfying his own personal vision of what an electric violin should feel and play like, these incredible violins are now available to the public. Mark Wood’s extensive experiences have led him to the development of a playing technique that can be learned easily by violinists and guitar players alike.

These unique instruments are hand-built by master craftsmen right here in the USA and should actually appreciate in value over time. Each violin is calibrated and tested extensively prior to shipment to ensure that you receive the very best instrument for your investment. A Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Mark Wood, is included with each order. We are proud to provide personalized customer service both before and after each violin is sold.

MARK'S STORY OF HOW WOOD VIOLINS CAME ABOUT

"When I was a kid, my father would bring my brothers and me down to our woodworking shop where they hand-carved wooden furniture and let us loose to build practically anything (at age 9, I actually built a life-sized coffin to carry my brothers in - hmmm... ). This experience gave me the freedom to pursue my vision as did growing up with three other brothers who also played stringed instruments (we became known as the Wood String Quartet). And so I developed a true sense of self-respect and discipline working with the traditional 4-string violin.

"But there was something missing.

"So, after leaving the Juilliard School of Music (which I attended on full scholarship), I had a mission. Since there were no really cool looking electric violins to buy, I had no choice but to build my own by hand. After several experimental efforts, I finally reached a level of mastering the construction of these strange 6-stringed instruments. And, since the traditional way of holding a violin wasn't right for me (because it severely limited my movements), I decided to get rid of the chin rest and shoulder pad and I invented (and patented!) a support mechanism that enabled me to strap the instrument onto my body. Now I would be able to race around the stage and perform the way I wanted to.

"Frets came about because I needed to be able to play a wide variety of chordal patterns up and down the fingerboard like electric guitarists do. Without frets, it's difficult for a violinist to maintain accurate intonation for this particular kind of playing style. Although adding frets may sound like a simple proposition, I soon discovered that it is a very difficult task to build a fretted instrument which maintains all of the violin's unique expressive qualities.

"In the course of my experiments with different styles, I built over ten different models, most of which are now in my private collection. In fine-tuning these models, I decided that the Viper should be made available to the public and so I started my company Wood Violins. I also developed the Sabre and Stringray for people who wanted to experience these violins on a more conventional level (since they are played with a chin rest and shoulder pad). Although to call any of my violins "conventional" - well, you decide for yourself!

"Since I developed the Viper violin, it has become my instrument of choice and when I perform, it's most often with my 6 or 7-string fretted ones, of which as you can imagine I own quite a few! One of my other favorites is my Spaceolin which I've fitted with neon lights which outline the body. Along with one of my bows on which I've also wrapped these lights, it looks really wild when the lights are turned off. Lately, I've been using this violin on my version of Hoedown. Audiences love it!

"All my instruments are played with a bow and since I'm a violin player and not a guitarist, the playing of these instruments is based on violin technique. The tunings are in 5ths, from high to low E, A, D, G, C, F but it can also be tuned like a guitar. In fact, many of the people buying 6-string fretted Vipers right now are guitarists looking to open up new realms of playing.

"Whether you are a violinist, violist, cellist, guitarist or you're just passing through, I hope you enjoy visiting the Wood Violins website."

~ MARK WOOD