Amplifiers are essential to amplify the sound of your violin. The number of amplifiers dedicated to amplification of electric violins is very small, but many violinists are happy using guitar amplifiers. Alternatively, you could have a look at acoustic amplifiers, which are producing a more transparant "acoustic" sound. Keyboard amplifiers may be considered as well, and tend to have a rather transparant and flat response.

Valve, transistor, hybrid

Valve amps are the first type of electric instrument amplifiers that entered the market. The technology is older than with the solid state amps and they provide a good warm sound. These are also the most expensive amplifiers of the three. They use delicate vacuum tubes for amplification. Valve or tube amps are often associated with an "expensive, vintage" sound in the electric guitar world. For a violin, they may give you a more round, solid, though slightly less natural tone.

Transistor or solid state amps are the "new generation" amps using modern technology to produce cheaper units. They also provide a clear and good sound, good bass responses. They produce enough power to fit a wide variety of speakers. Solid state amps are the most common amps on the market today.

Hybrid amps are a combination of both, where the valve is typically incorporated in a preamp circuit. They offer a bit of the advantages of both.

How to choose an amplifier

First start thinking about your playing level. There are several types of amps depending on your skills:
- microamps - small, very portable, 1-10 watts
- practice amps - 10-30 watts, one 8-10 inch speaker
- full-size 1x12 combo amps - 50 watts, one 12-inch speaker
- full-size 2x12 combo amps - 50+ watts, two 12-inch speakers

If you are a beginner (not especially in playing the violin, but if you are a beginner in playing electric violin) you may start with trying a small practice amp with an 8-inch speaker. You could find something like this at about $100. For this money you have time to develop your style before you truly know what sound you are looking for.

Intermediate or professional players may also consider a valve or hybrid amp. Whereas you could find a decent solid-state amps for about $300, a you won't be able to find a good tube amp for under $500. Much of the difference between both is hard to express in numbers. Transistor based amps generally offer a sharper, clean sound as opposed to tube amps which add a some additional harmonics (a little 'distortion') to the sound. Whether this iw what you need can only be judged by ear.

For a good complete description of the differences between solid-state and valve you could read the article written by Russell O. Hamm's. For a very complete list of available amps and well-written reviews on each of them visit Harmony Central.

Zeta AP-12: dedicated electric violin amplifier

The Zeta AP-12 amplifier is one of the first amplifiers specifically designed for electric violin amplification. It has 85 watts of power over two independent channels, each containing bass, treble and sweepable midrange controls as well as a master volume control. The amp has built-in digital reverb, an FX loop, and both XLR and jack direct outs.

The cabinet has one 12” speaker with electronic crossover and a 3” compression driver horn.The tonal balance is specifically EQ'd to support the high frequency responses required by bowed string instruments. Additionally the custom speaker cabinet features an expansion rack bay for after-market installation of a rack-mounted unit such as an effects processor or MIDI controller.

Fishman Loudbox 100, Loudbox Performer and Loudbox M: acoustic amplifiers

Loudbox 100: 100 Watt, two channels, 3 bands EQ
Loudbox Performer: 130 Watt, two channels, 3 band EQ
Loudbox Pro: 600 Watt (the most powerful amp available), digital reverb, two effect loops, ...