Here
are some of the many musicians who are diehard Wood Violin owners AND fans.
Where available, you can click on their picture to visit their site, or
click on the artists they've played with to visit theirs.
Jesse Spencer, one of the stars of the hit TV show "House" also happens to be a wonderful violinist who performs with Band From TV, a group comprised of TV actors who devote their free time to raising millions of dollars for their personal charities.
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"Mark Wood's violins have given me an incredible edge in the rock world. The versatility and range of the 7-string fretted Vipers give me the capabilities of a violin, guitar, and bass..not to mention it looks awesome! Vipers offer high quality sound whether clean, distorted, or through effects, also great for studio recording as one instrument can cover violin, viola, cello and bass." Marcus Ratzenboeck is in the phenomenal group Tantric and is shown in the photo above playing one of his several Vipers (he also owns a Sabre), Marcus is a KILLER player and we are incredibly proud to have him as an endorsee of our instruments! |
CLICK HERE to watch Jimmy tear it up with his camo Viper in Carrie's video for "Last Name" |
Shawn Bailey (shown above right, next to John Rich) plays a 5-string fretless Viper with Warner Brothers country artists Big and Rich and Cowboy Troy. He performed with his Viper at the Country Music Awards and on Good Morning America. You can catch Shawn with Big and Rich as they tour the US and Europe! |
 Violinist/composer/fiddler Mark O'Connor is widely recognized as one of the most gifted contemporary composers in America and surely one of the brightest talents of his generation. The annual Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp has become a gathering place for string players to study a wide variety of music from the world's best teachers and performers, including Mark Wood. | 
"After years of struggling with other
electric violins, I was lucky enough to find Mark Wood's elegant
Vipers. I have taken them all over the world on tour, and would not think of stepping
on stage without them. They are a quantum leap forward in the evolution of the
instrument." |
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Heather is the founder of The Mills Rock Orchestra in Little Rock, Arkansas and has hosted several Electrify Your Strings! visits with Mark and The Mark Wood Experience. CLICK HERE to visit the Little Rock page on our EYS site! | 
"It's so beautiful!!!! I’m very very happy with the sound, design and your service!!! [The finisher] did such a great job! Everyone including myself can’t take our eyes off it!! Please thank Mark Wood for his design of Viper and his contribution to the violin in the contemporary industry!! Thanks to him, people like ourselves are blessed with such awesome instruments to play!! And thanks to the working team!! You guys really looked after me well!! Great service!! Years down the track, I’ll definitely purchase a few more Vipers!!!" You can also visit Kat on MySpace - click here! The custom finish on Kat's unique Viper was created as part of our Artist Series! |
| "I found out a couple of weeks ago that I have tendonitis and muscle spasms in my right shoulder, mainly caused from my back pack. And when I play the acoustic violin my shoulder starts to spaz out and on a scale of 1-10 of pain, its a 12, but when I play my Viper there is absolutely no pain at all! so now I'm playing my viper during orchestra at school. I wanted to let you know that your invention has basically saved my passion. THANKS! I love it!! - Kent Dockus (Cleveland, OH) |
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"When I first saw Mark Wood with his Viper I thought it was the best idea yet. At the time, all the solid body electric violins I had tried were too heavy, and they caused pain in my elbow and shoulders when I played for a long time. As a free-lance player, I have played with many artists of many different styles so pain was a big problem for me. I've been playing my two Vipers (a 5 and a 7 string) for nearly two years now, and I am pain-free . . . besides the quality of sound I get, our presence on the stage is definitely an eye catcher. Their ease of playing has allowed me to concentrate on a more important thing on the stage - Putting on a great show!" |
Shenzo plays his Viper while flying around the stage - literally - with Shenzo's Electric Stunt Orchestra! |
 "After years of searching for an electric violin that could step up to rivaling a [guitar], I finally found the Viper. No longer would I be confined to an inferior, colourless palette of sound and genre that had gone before. When I heard Mark Wood play I knew that this beast could rival any dueling guitarist and indeed make even a classical musician envious. As a first for me there was no hesitation in ever needing to try this violin, as conversion was instant. My order for a fretted five-string with custom paint job in homage to the music (or should I say bands) I love most, was in! I flew to out to the guys in New York to pick up my axe and was immediately taken aback by the stunning quality of the finish and versatility of this beautiful and very metal violin. I have now made it my mission to help Wood Violins conquer the world with their amazing range of high class instruments. Thanks everyone for such a hospitable welcome to the Wood Violins family… " Maya's Viper is part of our Artist Series - for more images of her amazing instrument, CLICK HERE!
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"Thank your Mark Wood for making an electric violin that is deep and warm to record with and sounds monstrous live through my effects. Who says violin players aren't cool? I'm a chick rockin' my red sparkle sabre and guess what... I GOT WOOD!! HELL YEAH!! :)"
'The Stingray, amp, and pedal are so versatile! From hard rock and metal to classical and Mexican folk, these lovelies fit anywhere and EVERYWHERE in between! If anyone from Jimmy Page to Antonio Vivaldi is your main influence, the Stingray will never disappoint!"
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"When I strap on my Viper, I feel like I am creating a musical revolution in Sweden! My Viper has given me the opportunity to explore my music to a higher level and grow as a musician and a person. With the great sound of the Barbera pickup and a range of 6 strings, the Viper is the perfect outlet for me to express myself as a musician. I hope to show Sweden that it is indeed cool to play the violin. Not to mention how awesome it looks!" |
Diana is the proud owner of an Annie Haslam Signature Series Viper called (appropriately enough) "Diana." For more photos of Diana (the player and the instrument), visit our Annie page! |
"I think “SWEET” describes the complete experience of playing a Viper. Mine is a turquoise burl exotic top 6-string with frets. For years I’ve been looking for the perfect companion onstage – with its look, sound and freedom the Viper completes the partnership. “You are your instrument” has never rung truer. Finally, there is a violin that is ergonomic and freeing - it is literally an extension of you. The ability to move and even dance makes the whole adventure “electrific”! Thanks Mark for the Viper and Rich Barbera for making the best damn pick-ups ever!" |
"When I step on stage, I am proud of my Viper and the music I play on it! My Viper is extremely perfect!!! It is a unique incomparable experience! When I raise my hands during a concert, I realise that the future is here now as the Viper is a new era of violin playing! I'm happy to be with Wood Violins!" [Note from Wood Violins: WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU!!!] |
"When I first saw Mark's cool-looking, eye-catching Vipers in a magazine, I knew I had to get my hands on one. I fell in love with the Viper after realizing the sounds that emanate from it are just as beautiful as the instrument itself. I am proud to say that my arsenal now includes 3 Vipers. Vipers have made it possible for violinists everywhere to unleash their inner rock star. What a dramatic change in the history of violin craftsmanship. The New World Order has begun!" Click here to visit Katie on MySpace. |
Vitera (left to right, brothers Haydn and David) own a Viper and a Sabre respectively. The band's unique fusion of styles simultaneously brings that sexy Latin edge to American rock and a decidedly American edge to Latin Alternative. Check them out! |
"I met Mark at Juilliard for the premiere of his "Nest of Vipers" and the birth of the Juilliard Electric Ensemble. I remember how he walked into the room, fully armed, strapped in leather, and wearing that infectious smile. Then he whipped out the sexiest stringed instrument ever created...a glowing, juicy, red Viper... it was transformative. Thanks for releasing me from the cage, Mark..." Click here to visit Lisa on MySpace. |
"The Viper, to me, is an exploration into the limitless sky - a free spirit, a rebellious spirit, it clears the way for me to finally explore what it means to be a true string player! Reaching deep down into the roots of the lower vibrations of sound and also to fly high with the Mighty Voice of the Violin...what to say...I am not just a violinist anymore...I play the 7-string Viper!" |
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“The Stingray SV-4 is an awesome instrument! Its quality, affordability, and availability make it a great choice for any violinist from the beginner to advanced player. Since I started playing a Wood violin, many new musical opportunities have opened up for me. My improvisation skills and overall musicianship have improved greatly since I went electric! I am especially impressed with the level of customer service and friendship that comes with owning a Wood instrument. When they say ‘Wood Violins Family,’ they mean it! I have made so many new connections and friendships with other musicians in my new amazing, rocking family! As a music educator, I am always looking for new ways to interest my string players and general music students. My SV-4 is a perfect way for me to introduce new sounds to them, and they really enjoy it! I’m so proud to own a Wood violin!” Click here to visit Dana on MySpace. |
Edgar Gabriel's StringFusion is an exciting jazz fusion ensemble from Chicago. With former Cirque du Soleil electric violinist Edgar Gabriel at the helm, this group fuses elements of rock, classical and world music into its intelligent entertaining character. Visit them on MySpace! For a taste of their musical style, click here to listen to Edgar's original composition "Nose Bleed" from his latest CD "Not Radio Material." |
 "When I first saw the Viper at the ASTA conference, I fell in love and IMMEDIATELY ordered one! The sound is excellent, the look is amazing and the design is brilliant. Now that I don't have to hold the instrument under my chin, I can sing more easily while I play, it is very comfortable and I no longer get back pain. Plus I have the range of a violin, viola, cello and bass all in one! Mark takes pride in each and every one of his instruments and made sure my Viper was exactly how I wanted. The Viper far surpasses any of the electric violins I have played." |
“I absolutely love my 2 Vipers (I have a 5-string and a 7-string) because they sound, look, feel and play brilliantly. The ingenious design of these Vipers not only gives me the freedom to pursue some pretty crazy performance options, but they inspire new ideas as well! Mark is such a FANTASTIC violinist that he REALLY understands the needs of a touring performer, which means that both he and Laura have a perfect office to EXACTLY serve to whatever needs an artist could have.” |
“I am the luckiest girl in the world to be part of the Wood Violins family. I purchased a Viper long before thinking of working here, and now proudly play my 6-string fretted Viper and 5-string fretless Sabre (and a 7-string I “borrow” whenever I’m feeling frisky!) every time I hit the stage or studio. These instruments are truly in a league of their own—there is simply no comparison in sound and craftsmanship. They blow every other electric string instrument out of the water.” Bridgid's resume is chock full of incredible accomplishments (not the least of which she is that she is a valued member of the Wood Violins staff and since she wears so many hats around here, we have dubbed her our "Go-To Girl"). She is a member of One Sweet World, an incredible Dave Matthews cover band, and has shared the stage with Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Mary J Blige, Jay-Z, Method Man, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and many many more. Click here or on her photo to visit her MySpace page to get the whole scoop on this incredible player! |
"I was attracted to the Viper by its stunning appearance, enormous range and great sound. After owning my 7-string for a few months, I have come to realize that this is a true artist's instrument of the level of the finest old Italian, acoustic violins. It rewards expertise, finesse and imagination; the more your bring to it, the more it gives back. Like many acoustic players, I had assumed that all the sounds were "dialed-in"; nothing could be futher from the truth. While modern electronics offer effects and tones not possible without technology, they cannot be used to create great music without an instrument that responds telepathically to its player. I am especially impressed at how my Viper reacts precisely to the finest manipulations of the bow, with a tonal palette broader than that of any violin I have played, (including Cremona's best!). "All of my training and experience with the great classical repertoire comes to play on my Viper, and the seemingly limitless expressive potential of this marvel challenges me constantly to expand my creativity and develop my personal voice. During my career, I have played much of the greatest music ever written. With my Viper, I am driven to take the next step: to create my own music and strive to have it meet the lofty standards set by past and present masters. As the artistic trend worldwide melts stylistic walls and embraces a new kind of "holistic performer", Wood Violins enhances this evolution by breaking all previous boundaries for string players. This is our time and the Viper is our weapon of choice!" For even more wonderful thoughts by Philip Pan posted on our message board, please click here.
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"Like most violinists, I was classically trained from the time I was a small child. However, while I always dreamed of becoming a violinist when I grew up, I began to realize as I got older just how hard it was to be a professional musician. I was even told by an instructor not to bother studying music in college, that I'd never make it! Then I met Mark Wood, and his innovative approach to the violin turned my world upside-down. Now, eight years later, with a 6-string fretless and 7-string fretted Viper in my arsenal, I'm a successful musician, playing everything from classical to Latin to rock - and everything in between! I can shred like a guitar, chop out backing rhythms and record string quartets on the same instrument, not to mention playing for hours without fatigue. The Viper has revolutionized the violinist's role in the music world forever, and I'm proud to be a part of this new era!"
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"Quite simply, my 7-string Viper is the best tool for the job, and I love it. The Barbera pickup gives me great, consistent tone, even when undesirable backline is provided. That means I spend minimal time during set up working on amp tone and more time concentrating on the music. Hand made to my specifications, the Viper looks incredible and commands attention the minute I walk on stage. Plus, the harness system gives me the freedom to sing and double on mandolin without ever having to put the Viper down. The HUGE range and versatility of 7 strings allows me to cover viola, cello, bass and even guitar parts I could never have done before, and that means more gigs for me. My Viper not only helps me look and sound better, it also pushes my own boundaries and challenges me as a musician to try new things and broaden my abilities. I played a Zeta for ten years. In the year and a half since my Viper arrived, the Zeta hasn’t even been out of the case. Thanks Wood Violins for building the ultimate electric violin!
| "WOW! That's just about all i can say because I'm completely speechless. I received me Galaxy Green, seven string, fretted viper yesterday and I haven't been able to put it down!!! I just wanted to thank all of you for everything that you all have done to produce this wonderful instrument. And most of all, I want to say thank you to Mark Wood. He has been my inspiration for two years ever since I met him at the Blair Summer Camp. He has taught me so much about music and how to make it exciting, and now I finally have me own instrument to explore the world of Rock and many other genres. I cannot say how much I appreciate what you all do at Wood Violins: It is truly amazing! Thank you so much once again for this wonderful opportunity for me to explore the wonderful world of music. When I went into The Guitar Center to get my amp and peddle board, everyone was amazed and had a perplexed look on their faces. Everybody was talking about the 7-string fretted electric violin all around the store and I was being surrounded by listeners. : ) This truly is an unique instrument. Thanks again so much!" "I would like to thank you all from the depths of my heart. I have had my Viper for a couple of weeks now and I’ve been playing it just about every second I can! It is truly a remarkable instrument that I feel honored to have the opportunity to use. It allows me to spread out my musical creativity in ways I could never have imagined; with style! I look forward to developing my own musical style and playing with my band, making a statement. Thank you for opening my musical world." ~ Adam Cohen - Virginia Beach, VA
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"MY
VIPER ~ by Isaac Forrester And here's
some great input from Isaac’s Mom! |
"Having played acoustically my entire life, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I adjusted to playing my fretted, 5-string Viper. It has an excellent tone quality, and it looks very impressive."
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"I met Mark Wood in 2003 at the American String Teachers conference in Ohio. I’ll never forget the first time I caught sight of his funky instruments. Mark was quick to notice my look of interest and confusion and encouraged me to try one out. Love at first touch, what more can I say?! I custom ordered a hot red 5-string Viper and had it in my hands in just a few months. "I am a string director in a school district and play in a rock band. Between both “jobs,” I play my Viper every day. With much thanks to my Viper, I have over 300 excited students who know that it’s “cool” to play the violin. I have 8 year olds begging their parents for one. Now I spend much of my time convincing them that they need to become proficient on their acoustic instruments (and grow a few inches) before purchasing a Viper. It’s quite an incentive. Outside of my “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” world, I play in venues all over New England. Just the sight of it has the power to quiet an entire room full of people. Reactions are priceless. "My appreciation for my Viper goes way beyond its appearance. Mark and his wife, Laura Kaye, conduct their business with such professionalism and hands on care that you’ll feel like one of the family. Unlike many electric instruments, this one produces a gorgeous tone. I have the best of both worlds with my 5-string as I adore the viola as well as the violin. Most importantly, the strap-on feature is truly the best invention in the string world. It allows me to move around freely onstage, walk around a room full of kids and adjust posture and bow holds without putting my instrument down, and it simply makes playing a more enjoyable and comfortable experience. When I’m really in the zone, it almost feels like my Viper is an extension of myself, as if I am as close to my musical creation as one can possibly be. It’s an amazing feeling, you should try it!" |
"The Sabre is the sickest, most addictive instrument in the universe. I love playing it, and it really draws a lot of attention everywhere it goes. It has its own distinct sound for whatever style of music is being played. I love it and am grateful to everyone at Wood Violins who built this incredible electric violin." "My new Sabre is Super! I had 2 days to get used to it before our next band gig. I took it to its first gig last Friday and really cut loose on it. I can't believe how easy it is to finger compared to an accoustic and how well it sounds plugged in. I use a Gallien Kruger bass amp (12 inch speaker) and did not have to use my preamp/EQ box. The sound was really clear and clean. I also use a Boss Digital Delay stomp box. Since I am not used to playing with a shoulder rest and the Kun seemed a little uncomfortable, I invented my own for the instrument. I cut a foam pad for just the right height and angle I needed and attached it under the violin with velcro pads on the three access plates underneath so as to not put velcro on the finished surface. This has worked great and those three plates are perfectly placed for this purpose. The violin workmanship is superb and it plays like a dream."
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I
am Markus J. Fahrenberger, Electric Freestyle Violinist, Composer and Producer
from Austria. I play a 5-string white pearlized Viper – a “master-class-instrument”
designed and constructed by the “master-class-violinist” Mark Wood.
I play different styles and like to act on stage to communicate with the audience.
With its phenomenal sound and specific look, the Viper is the one and only Electric
Violin to me that this is possible with. I also have troubles with my neck
and the chest-support-system is really helpful! I can move my head around during
playing and enjoy the music in a completely different way! |
"I really like my Stingray a lot. Sometimes at night, I |
"The Viper allows me to express myself in ways no other musical instrument can. My 5 and 7 string Vipers have become my main musical instruments, and have allowed me to explore music in an entirely new way! The Viper is truly a unique musical instrument, in which Form follows Function." |
As a violinist and vocalist who likes to do both simultaneously, the Viper is the answer to my prayers. The harness system allows complete versatility and flexibility for singing and playing. It also eases tension in my back and allows for more freedom of movement. The frets have saved my life on those nights when I couldn't hear myself in the monitors. As a guy who loves to invade other people's frequency ranges (thereby annoying viola players, cellists, bass players, and just about everybody else), having the 7 strings has really helped me with this goal. Seriously though in addition to its amazing tone, the instrument is truly beautiful. It is truly a work of art that looks great on stage. The Viper has opened many musical doors for me, and I am proud to recommend your instruments to my students, and to any string players who want to expand their horizons and bring out their inner beast. |
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"i LOVE my violin.....so does everyone else!! This thing is just out of control!! It sounds great and is SO easy to play!"
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"As a violin player, I have always struggled with the heavy musical limitations that were placed on me not by people, but by the very nature of the instrument itself. The Viper shatters these limitations. With 7 strings, the player's range is vastly expanded. I have always wanted to play heavy metal on a violin and the Viper makes it possible with notes lower than I would ever dream of playing on a violin, and a beautiful tone fit for any style. In addition, the self supporting system is as innovative and comfortable as the immortal aesthetic of a Flying V. I have played many a violin, and the only conceivable way to explore the music that I want to is to own a Viper." |
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"When I first heard and played a Viper, I knew that I had found the electric instrument of my dreams. To be honest, I wasn’t even shopping for an electric because the amplified violins I had heard sounded like bad, cheesy synthesizers, or they felt heavy, unnatural, and uncomfortable. Mark Wood has single-handedly solved all of these problems. Wood Violins can produce a full spectrum of sounds ranging from heavy distortion to tones of ethereal beauty and richness. They are the only electric violins I know that really let musicians dig in and play. As a bonus, the Viper actually improves acoustic string playing. The amazing self-support mechanism releases tension and encourages good physical habits. I’ve also noticed that performing with effects helps string players to develop ultra-precise articulation, which easily transfers to unplugged playing. As a compositional and improvisational tool, Wood Violins open an infinite number of possibilities. The phenomenal timbres and the wide melodic range make me wonder how I ever got by with only 4 strings! Thanks, Mark!!! You’re a genius!"
A New York Philharmonic Teaching Artist and a faculty member of the Juilliard School, Dr. David Wallace’s performances include appearances for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the New York Viola Society, the New York premiere of Stefano Gervasoni's Viola Concerto in Alice Tully Hall, and a 20-concert Visiting Artist's Residency in Saginaw, Michigan. As a soloist, he has been broadcast on National Public Radio, CBS and PBS television, WQXR radio's McGraw Hill Young Artist's Showcase, and gospel music radio show Live from the Lamb’s. A regular performer as a soloist and chamber musician, David is also the fiddler of the Texas-style string band The Doc Wallace Trio, which released its debut album, Live at the Living Room, in 2001 and which is on the touring roster of Young Audiences of Houston. |
"After playing guitar for 25 years, my Viper gives me a whole new avenue for playing music. Any guitarist feeling stale needs to check out a Viper. I’ve only been playing violin for 9 months and am progressing way beyond my instructor’s expectations. The frets are easy to adjust to and accelerate the finger placement on my acoustic. They also provide an “eyes free” reference for stage presence helpful to a new violinist. The electronics are excellent. It gave me chills the first time I heard it through a PA. The Viper’s shape and gold over natural finish turns heads everywhere." |
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"I sound better, I sing better, I play better, and I look better with my Viper! The Viper has made me a much more versatile violinist and performer, and wherever I go, audiences are amazed and intrigued. Finally, there's a cool factor in playing the violin." |
"If you want a violin with playability and tone you NEED a Wood Violin! I just got my new Sabre - WOW . . . what a beautiful instrument! The tone and finish are absolutely awesome. Now I can put away my Zeta Baritone violin, because my Sabre has better tone and more range. Way too cool!" |
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"I just got my Viper and I'm ECSTATIC!! You guys nailed the color - it's BEAUTIFUL!! - it's just what I had in mind....the violin sounds gorgeous. I'm just loving playing around with it and I love having the lower strings - it's just unlike anything I've every heard. I am thrilled with my new violin!" |
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"The Viper's self-supporting feature alone would make it desirable for any violinist wanting to 'go electric.' Add to that great tone and playability and you have the best electric violin available today. The musical possibilities it offers are limitless. Mark Wood is to be commended for his beautifully elegant and innovative design. I highly recommend the Viper to any violinist who wants to step into the modern world of electric violin playing." Nat
Wyner (6-string fretted Viper) |
"On Christmas day my family and I were opening our gifts and as I received my last gift it was a box that would hold a necklace. The note inside read, for me to look in the other room. As I opened the door I noticed a Violin shaped case. I unzipped the case, my eyes got wide, my hand covered my mouth and I cried with joy when I saw my new six string Viper, in natural wood finish, with the Barbara Pickups, gold frets and accessories. I am still excited about it and I try to play my Viper everyday. Little did I know my husband Shawn and Laura Kaye VP of Wood Violins were planning my surprise via phone... What a wonderful surprise and blessing. I am unsure if this was an answered prayer or just by situation, but I still thank God for my Viper Violin and I thank my husband Shawn Svacha for his love and kindness and thanks to VP Laura Kaye for helping Shawn surprise me. Happy 2005 everyone." |
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"The serious electric violinist finally has an axe that can perform 21st century music of all styles. These instruments grab attention from the moment they are taken out of the case until the last note is played. Paganini would be proud!" |
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