5-String Violins: What They Are & Why You Might Want One

[@jamesprendergast6429]

I bought a YEV 5 . I'm new at violin but the YEV 5 breaks up the monotony when practicing and is great fun through the effects. (Guitar player here trying to expand). If I hadn't bought it I probably wouldn't have found this great channel! Matt and electric violin shop videos are awesome!

[@rjsheffer2]

I love my YEV5 it allows me to dabble at the viola end of the pool occasionally. It's also a really forgiving instrument. I'm still learning.. so I say that the YEV5 shows me how far I've come.. and my hardanger (barwulff) shows me how far I have to go😂. I like that the flatter action on it. Points me toward the double stop kind of music I want to play.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

There's no doubt that the C String on an 5 String Acoustic Violin body, and the High E String on a 5 String Acoustic Viola body do have special sounds that add alot. There are 5 String Cellos too & the High E String does have a special sound. The 5 String Cello with a High E is what Bach's 6'th Suite was written for but you can cover any Violin Sheet Music down an Octave with this instrument.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

1:25 Extended range instruments make things alot easier cause in a Church setting they may change keys due to the singer's worn out voice.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

That's why alot of kids would wanna play Extended range instruments, in order to find the right key.

[@CelloCoach]

You are spot-on about “diving into” the outer strings. I played a 5 string cello in Cremona this summer and it was hard to get used to, at first. If I had just week or two of solid time with it, I would have loved it more. Yet, truth be told, I bought a CR6 from your outfit back in 2010 and it was too much. This video may have convinced me to go with a CR5. . .

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Hi Jonathan, if you use a CR6 you can go both Low (Low F) & High (High E) cause you might like to arrange music for it.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Maybe another time you could try the 6 String Cello again

[@WoodFamilyRu]

A phrase "why you might want one" creates a waw effect, without additional pedals 😂 Thank you Matt, your videos are cool and informative 😊

[@twokool4skool129]

Very good overview. Answered all my questions. Thanks.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Glasser makes them in Carbon Composite & the C String they include is a Larsen Original Medium Tension Violin C String. They also have 5 String Violas which have a Larsen Original Viola E String that has a Little tube to protect it on the bridge.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Electric Violin Shop What they do rather cleverly w/ 5 String Violins is make the body a tad bit wider & deeper so the C String resonates better

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

1:52 This is why 5 String Violins (5 String Violas too) are a good extended range instrument to start with because you might get a call on a Gig saying "we need some Violinists" you get there on time & it turns out they need a Violist. The Low C String on a 5 String Violin will help with reading Alto Clef.

[@benjaminledford3325]

Jean-Luc Ponty uses a 5 string ZETA violin. Hailey Richardson from Riverdance uses an acoustic 5 string violin.

[@DARIONJADE]

Thanks for the advice 👍🏼 That’s helpful 👌🏼

[@jimbob5848]

Thanks. Useful information.

[@PhilipDViolin]

Interesting !!

[@kanjikanta8270]

I rate it... I N T E R E S T I N G out of 10

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Keep in mind the C String that comes on these Glasser 5 String Violins isn't a Viola C String, it's a True Violin C String (made by Larsen) which I find matches better with the other 4 Strings cause they're Larsen.

[@mauriziochirca8939]

I'm looking forward to buy a five string violin because the extended range that makes me able to play music form other repertoir like clarinet and because of the effects to play notes of other strings but darker and warmer.Do you know if the time of response of the string is the same as viola or it's more fluid than a viola? Thank you.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@mauriziochirca8939 It's a quicker & simpler response. D'addario Helicore 5 String Violin Strings in 4/4 Scale Medium Tension would make bowing on the instrument easier as they're a bit thinner.

[@mauriziochirca8939]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 perfect because i read that sul c on the viola its not that viable but I guess if a c string for violin is thinner then would not be a problem. Normally I use a light tension because for me it produces warmer tone. Its a 5 string violin compatible with this type of setting or would sound bad because the dimension of the instrument its a little bit bigger. Also, i read that the fingerboard its like 5 mm shorter. Do you know if this affect to reach the notes on the last position of the violin? or its basically the same as a normal violin? Thank you very much

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@mauriziochirca8939 Actually nowadays most 5 string violins have the same fingerboard length as their 4 string counterparts but the neck & fingerboard are slightly wider & an Eastman VL7015+ would be a good match along w/ Helicore HE310-5 4/4M Strings.

[@mauriziochirca8939]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 in my case it would be an acoustic violin. I guess it wouldn't work bad any type of strings except for c string which to get a better sound has to be more tense.

[@bringstring6090]

*5 Strings ROCK* - yeah I want one. You are godamm right nobody wants to hear above E. My wife cant farkin stand it when I play high....., but she can't stand me pretty much anytime... so there is that... lol

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Going low to Low C just is awesome

[@Cloxxki]

Should you in stead add a higher string, do the highest notes become easier to play perhaps?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

That string might snap, and besides a Low C allows you to do a Vibrato on the G3.

[@moxyblackfiddler]

I've been pretty afraid to go to a 5 string. I'm also feel weird about repairs. Where can I get a comparable bridge?

[@jesusisaliveannie3594]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@thejamesasher]

I just wonder what Paganini would have done with it!

[@davidhenderson5051]

Am I the only one who laughed when Matt talked about DIVING into the G String?

[@ElectricViolinShop]

You weren't supposed to catch that.

[@raredesign]

Excellent info! Thanks.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UC6W4QkBDKjzTrCNG3pJYIKw Those 9 String Violins go up to a High A (Eventually High B) & all the way down to Low Eb. What if we had Octave Violin Strings from Octave Lower High B, to Octave lower Low Eb? We could dive into the register of an Octobass. Extended range instruments makes transposing songs alot easier.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UC6W4QkBDKjzTrCNG3pJYIKw You almost forgot to mention Bobby Hicks popularized this instrument. Bobby's band had 3 fiddlers, but they lost a fiddler & couldn't find another one so he had to play 2 parts. Bobby Hicks always loved the Harmonies of the Osbourne brothers cause Bobby always sang high lead, & as a result Bobby Hicks decided to add a Low C String to his Violin so he can play the Harmony parts below the lead lines.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

A High B would sound like a way to compete with the Treble Violins but that string isn't thin enough yet.

[@underthehinttree7898]

Can you put 5 string viola strings on a 5 string violin? Do you have to change or alter the top nut? I would rather have that low F than a high E lol

[@ElectricViolinShop]

Don't put viola strings on a violin. Use violin strings. They make F strings for violin.

[@underthehinttree7898]

@@ElectricViolinShop Thank you for the reply. That is what I meant. Is it okay to put an F string where the C string was? It seems like the top nut spaces are too narrow?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Paganini calls it Grand Viola. I call it the "Bobby Hicks Fiddle" cause Bobby Hicks played.

[@Frogsplash27]

What Violin were you playing in this video? It sounded nice

[@ElectricViolinShop]

Hi! It was this Realist RV5Pe: www.electricviolinshop.com/realist-rv5peba-pro-ac-el-violin-with-instant-active-black-html.html

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@ElectricViolinShop 5 Strings is pretty standard for Electric Violins cause the pickup and amp give you low end power and high end clarity, however 5 String Acoustic Violins exist too. To achive low end power and high end clarity acoustically with a 5 String Violin, they usually make the body a tad bit thicker which will allow the body to resonate on both lower and higher pitches. In reality the 5 String Violin is really a 14 in 5 String Viola & Viola bodies can handle both low end power and high end clarity far better than you might think.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Actually a 5 String Viola w/ a "Nice" sounding E String is OK too cause the larger body will filer out some of the higher overtones that can be harsh.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Did you Know Bobby Hicks played 5 String Violin? Every 5 String Violin, Viola, Cello, & Bass tuned in Fifths may allow String players to cover Bobby Hicks.

[@Potato_pigeon]

Does your shop do a rent to own type thing? Been thinking of getting a 5 string but am not sure if I want to $750-$1000 up front without even being able to try one

[@ElectricViolinShop]

We don't. And the reason is because we're about 98% remote. Only a handful of customers ever set foot in the store. We work with financing companies to provide payments for people and we have a 30-day return policy. Sometimes, if a customer is trying to decide between two instruments, they just buy both, try them out, and return the loser. If you time it right in your credit card billing cycle, the refund gets processed before your bill is due. VISA ends up paying your "rental fee".

[@Potato_pigeon]

@@ElectricViolinShop thank you so much

[@Alex-cd7xx]

Why the reupload

[@mogmason6920]

S A C R E L I G I O U S

[@SobrietyandSolace]

I wonder what they think oF D Shar as he uses one

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Bobby Hicks played them

[@petebard]

To me what you call sacrilege is unwarranted prejudice. I not only have stopped playing my four strings but am playing a carbon fiber five string made by Fred Gayford in Canada. I think it’s a fantastically good instrument and now I want a five string cello with a high E string. Even though cello and violin have different fingerings I can mentally map the fingering of either onto the other. For the record I made a very good four string years ago. I still have it but I love my Fred Gayford fiddle best for pure playing pleasure.

[@patrickfransiskus1996]

I will just assume this is a joke...

[@gabe_itch24]

A fellow Two-Setter in the wild?

[@davidhuckaby832]

I want a 5 string--looking for one.

[@PhilipDViolin]

Hi there ! I like your t shirt ! You sell those in the shop ?

[@ElectricViolinShop]

Yes we do: www.electricviolinshop.com/rockstar-violinist-t-shirt.html

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@ElectricViolinShop Bobby Hicks played this instrument.

[@billyt8868]

5 string violin/viola. twoset has a wide reach.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UC6W4QkBDKjzTrCNG3pJYIKw A High A (eventually High B) on a 5 String Violin might be kinda high for my hearing, but Low C isn't that ear piercing cause it's the same pitch as a Viola. Can you make a 5 String Violin Method Book? There aren't really lessons on playing a 5 String Violin unfortunately.

[@electricviolinshopaccount2045]

You'll definitely want to check out Joe Deninzon's book. joedeninzon.com/education/book-plugging-in/

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@electricviolinshopaccount2045 Thanks for the Method. I'd recommend the 7 String Fretted Vipers for beginners & they're easier to play than standard Violins & Violas cause 1) the 3 additional strings (Low C, F, & Bb) make it easier to play in every key, 2) the frets eliminate the need to put tapes on the fingerboard, 3) the geared tuners make tuning easier without needing to use fine tuners on the tailpiece, & 4) the solid body is sturdier plus it adds a bit of rock n roll to the mix.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@electricviolinshopaccount2045 Did you know Bobby Hicks is the guy who plays 5 String Fiddle?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UC6W4QkBDKjzTrCNG3pJYIKw Extended range Violins (and every Extended range String Instrument) makes it alot easier (especially for kids) to change keys so this way you can find the right key to accommodate the range of a certain instrument or vocalist or even both.

[@johngreen4520]

***Why not use a Dremel and notch your C string a little lower on the bridge?***

[@electricviolinshopaccount2045]

You can modify your 5-string however you want. Most 5-string bridges are curved with equal string crossing angles in mind, rather than G string clearance. If digging in more on the G string is more important to you than not having to bow more vertically to play the C string then a modification like the one you suggest would make sense.

[@WarframeCrunch]

As a electric guitar owner, I'm kind of sad that I didn't read more about guitars and didn't bought 7 string one. Because i didn't even known that they exist xD

[@ElectricViolinShop]

They make 8 string guitars, too. Check out Tosin Abasi.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

We should work on "The New Electric Violin family" which is the Electrified version of the New Violin Family.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UC6W4QkBDKjzTrCNG3pJYIKw D'addario makes 5 String Violin Strings, & also a Viola Length High E for 5 String Violas. Glasser does make 5 String Violins which are fantastic, but the 5 String Viola with a High E is more like the True Best of Both worlds cause it has a 5 Octave range of a Violin & Viola combined on a Viola body.

[@deborahkirstine970]

3:50 diving to hard into the g string because theirs a c he does not want to hit...

[@deerfish3000]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIPWYYKni5moicU

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Bobby Hicks plays this instrument

[@JustFiddler]

i wish i have that one 😇

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

You know what Bob Kogut built this 3/4 Size 5 String Fiddle:kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmmvZZpjiJd7nac which is great for those who wanna play 5 String Fiddle but find that a 4/4 Size version is too big for them. Bob Kogut carved this 3/4 5 String Violin so that it sounds fantastic because alot of the 3/4 Size Violins (even the 5 String Versions) sound like toys.

[@subhradeepray8657]

Can u ship your products to INDIA 🇮🇳?

[@ElectricViolinShop]

Yes!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UC6W4QkBDKjzTrCNG3pJYIKw This is why I need a Wood Violins 6 String Fretted King Cobra Cello cause I love song covers.

[@daniellu8282]

A five string violin is a killer concerto instrument for modern pieces. Register and range are what makes piano concertos sellouts at the symphony.

[@LoewenLovesLife]

As an avid metalhead and djentlemen myself, not to mention music producer, I would be an idiot to not get that 5th string on my electric violin...

[@ElectricViolinShop]

Or 6 or 7...

[@jordanlosper5761]

twoset really hurt this guys feelings 😂💔

[@something8886]

An entire sacrilegious shop. Strange?

[@microtonalmilio5233]

I’m going bald at the age of 29.