I joined the great jazz rock fusion group “Gamalon” back in 1987 and had a nice 8-year “ride” with them signing record deals, traveling some, getting on the Billboard Jazz Chart (#8) and once playing the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival.  When we weren’t on the road, we’d play the same bar, the “Central Park Grill” (shown) in our hometown of Buffalo, NY USA every Tuesday.

This pic had to be about 1988, after I figured out the my old acoustic violin with a Barcus Berry pickup was not going to cut it in a loud band like this (it picked up the loudest instruments and re-amplified them through my amp, making a sonic mess).

Here I’m playing my first “EV1” electric violin of my own creation (with the same Barcus Berry pickup in the bridge though!).  It was louder and clearer for sure, but never sounded that great.  Below is a fun pro-photo session pic that I used the EV1 for by photographer Gary Schwab:

I abandoned EV1 when I met the great electric violin maker Eric Aceto of Ithaca Stringed Instruments in a chance meeting at a late 1980’s NAMM show, soon after purchasing one of his early “Violect” models and using that for many years after.

I later did improve on the EV1 making an EV2 model, but thought I stretched the asymmetrical design idea a bit too far for my own comfort.  You can see that EV2 violin hanging on the wall behind me in many more recent videos (with the blue wall)… contact me if you want more info or to make an offer for it!  Shown here is it’s first incarnation with a black top (finish later removed):

The EV2 had a much better and more acoustic sound, and one of the most responsive low C strings I’ve played so far, but could still play loud and look pretty cool.  You can strap it on like an electric guitar if you like too.  It has an unique oak/carbon fiber/maple sandwich neck through the body with a mahogany back (scavenged from an old Cris-craft boat dashboard from the 1950’s) and finishes out with a cedar top with nice ivory binding.

I’ve been working on the 3rd generation of this concept for a few years now, and have recently “tooled-up” to be able to produce these for sale consistently.  I’m pleased with the modern shape and very excited about the tone it is producing!! I’m in the process of applying for a patent on the pickup system.  It sounds more open and natural than most piezo oriented systems and distorts like a champ when you want to do the rock n roll thing!!  Look out electric guitar!  I’ll be taking pre-orders for these very soon.  Stay tuned.