Merlin Electric Violins

The Merlin workshop consists of small team of dedicated master craftsmen, producing hand crafted electric and acoustic violins. Among our clients are Dave Swarbrick, Ric Sanders, celebrated Indian classical violinist Dr. Jyotsna Srikanth and many classical musicians.

 

Michael Burnham who heads the team, has had the pleasure of working with Zeta Music Systems for the past ten years until their closure in February 2010. Michael, who is himself an accomplished violinist, assisted Zeta with new projects in his capacity of 'Zeta Clinician'.

 

Michael also painted and varnished some of Zeta's specialist violins, among these a blue acoustic Pro Violin for Eileen Ivers, River Dance star and folk virtuoso

After many requests we are now producing a new generation of Zeta type violins, using modern technology, including later this year a USB version which will release these beautiful violins from midi to a reliable digital form of music making.

Stop press!!!

The Ric Sanders Signature Violin

The new A100 4and 5 string Skeletal Frame violin

*New Skeletal frame violin developed in the Merlin workshop in conjunction with violinist Ric Sanders *

The A100 was inspired by a Victorian practice violin which I gave to Ric in the late sixties

 Features:

Ultra light weight

Hard wood construction

With conventional neck and scroll

Classical measurements for ease of playing

The unique Merlin Bridge pickup system

Standard setup includes:

Ebony pegs

Wittner light weight tale piece

Sensicore Perlon strings

Complete with light weight case

 

The now famous Merlin twin piezo bridge system, does not feed back or pick up room or external sound contamination.

 

At 0 DB on your mixing desk the violin delivers a clean beautiful sound ready for you to go through your favourite effects pedal “you are now ready to rock”

 

Price A100 4 string £1,500.00

Price A100 5 string £1,650.00

The New Merlin Modern Violin

Available in 4 or 5 string versions with a choice of two head styles.

The Merlin Modern is a solid light weight, all wooden, hand crafted violin,  You can choose between the Zeta modern type head (left) or the new Merlin designed head (right).

The Merlin Modern comes fitted with the unique Merlin twin piezo pick-up bridge, ebony pegs and chin-rest, Wittner light weight tail piece with built in adjusters and a set of Sensicore Perlon Strings as standard. Comes with light weight case.

 

We produce the Merlin Modern Violin in the following standard solid colours: 

Black, white, blue and green.

Price Standard 4 String £1,200.00

 

Price Standard 5 String £1,400.00

 

Non standard colours and special requirements will be subject to a 6 week waiting period to allow for paint/varnish or special work to be carried out and will be individually charged.

 

The following variants are available to order

Figured maple front with transparent colour/ Varnish. Including Vintage Sun Burst finishes.

Standard price plus £150.00

 

Any solid colour from the RAL colour chart that is not one of our standard colours.  (see link at bottom of page)

Standard price plus £50.00

Metallic finishes (particularly effective on the Merlin Modern Violin).

Standard price plus £60.00

 

Special orders such as thin neck or none standard body length, none standard Pegs or accessories, please contact Merlin

A link to a Ral colour chart can be found at the bottom of the page.

 

The Merlin Electro/Acoustic Artist Violin

Fifty years of violin making experience has resulted in the development of this superb Electro/Acoustic violin. The Merlin Electro/ Acoustic produces a firm even sound, even at high volumes, low in bow noise and articulate with warmth. The Merlin Electro/Acoustic violin has a superb natural violin sound when amplified.This hand crafted violin is given a discreet pick up, inboard battery box, volume control, inboard pre-amp and ¼” jack-socket.

We are sometimes asked about feedback; our experience is that in the hands of a good sound engineer, despite the violin being acoustic, feedback is minimal, even at open air festivals and high volume events.

 

The Merlin Electro/ Acoustic Artist Model Is a full sized hand varnished violin with Merlin Electro/Acoustic fittings including Merlin Pick-up Bridge, pre-amp, battery carrier and volume control. Set up with ebony pegs and chin-rest, Wittner light weight tail piece with built in adjusters and a set of Sensicore Perlon Strings. Comes with light weight case.

Price £1,200.00

 

The Merlin Electro/Acoustic Student Model

Available in 4 /4 and  3/4 sizes

The Student Model is a well made student violin traditionally varnished, fitted with a Merlin pick-up bridge, ¼ “ jack-socket, pre-amp and battery carrier. Set up with good quality fittings including a Wittner light weight tail piece with built in adjusters and a set of Sensicore Perlon Strings. Comes complete with well balanced carbon fibre bow and light weight violin case.

Please Note: The Student Model does not come with a volume control switch !

Price £595.00

Placing your order:

Telephone- 07871562619

Email:  thomassmithviolins@hotmail.co.uk

Please Note :

We require a 40% non refundable deposit at the time your order is placed.

Work will not commence on your order until this is received.

If you have chosen a Merlin standard colour, this instrument may be available from stock depending on demand at the time of your order.

 

Our Prices are not negotiable, postal charges will be added to your final Invoice.

Instruments will not be despatched until full payment has been received.

 

Our prices do not include taxes incurred by customs in any country.

Faulty or damaged instruments must be reported to Merlin within 48 hours of receipt.

Each Merlin is guaranteed for 12 months.

 

Colour Charts:

The colours used here are examples from the RAL colour chart.  http://www.varion.si/upload/files/Ral_Paint.pdf

Due to the variance between computers and printers Merlin cannot guarantee the accuracy of colour tone; however please find below a link to a RAL colour chart where you can choose your colour and send us the appropriate RAL colour reference number. Merlin will endeavour to match this as accurately as possible.

 

Contact Information:

Sales and Customer Support: 07871562619
Emails to thomassmithviolins@hotmail.co.uk  with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2011 Thomas Smith Violins
Last modified: May 2011

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