Harley Benton HBV 990BCF 4/4 Electric Violin

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Electric Violin

  • Size: 4/4
  • Body: Maple
  • Neck: Maple
  • Plastic frame
  • Birch fingerboard
  • Jujube tuning pegs and chinrest
  • Active pickup system
  • Headphone outputs
  • Jack output
  • Design: Black Carbon Fiber
  • Includes a case, shoulder rest, composite bow, rosin and 9V battery
Available since January 2014
Item number 325871
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Number of Strings 4
Fretboard Birch
Body Material Maple
Pegs Birch
Chin rest Birch
Neck Maple
Incl. Bag No
Incl. Case Yes
Incl. Bow Yes
Incl. Shoulder Rest Yes
Incl. 4 Fine Tuners Yes
Size 4/4
Electronics Active
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$164
The shipping costs are calculated on the checkout page.
In stock within 3-4 weeks
In stock within 3-4 weeks

This product is expected back in stock soon and can then be shipped immediately.

Standard Delivery Times
1

The perfect entry into the world of electric violins

The Harley Benton HBV 990BCF electric violin does not have an acoustically resonant body like a classical violin, but a solid centre block instead. This means that the instrument is primarily designed for electrically amplified playing, which is possible thanks to an active pickup system complete with a three-band EQ and various connection options. A circumferential black plastic frame provides the perfect grip when playing. Starting on the electric violin is as easy as can be with this instrument. In addition to the violin itself, the scope of delivery includes a case, a shoulder rest, a composite bow, rosin for coating the bow hair, and a 9V battery for powering the active pickup.

A perfectly designed instrument

The body of the Harley Benton HBV 990BCF is made of solid wood in a black carbon fibre design, and the neck features a glued-on birch fingerboard that is tinted black. The tailpiece features a set of fine-tuners to facilitate precise tuning of the violin. The pickup unit is active (i.e. equipped with a preamp) and allows the volume to be controlled via a rotary knob on the underside of the instrument, while the three faders adjust the bass, middle, and treble frequencies as desired. The compartment for the 9V battery that powers the pickup system and the mount for the chin rest are also located on the underside. Two mini-jack sockets (3.5mm) are placed laterally so that headphones and an external sound source, such as an MP3 player, can be connected. These features are very useful when practising: For example, backing tracks can be listened to using headphones. A 6.3mm jack socket is included for connecting the electric violin to an amplifier or sound system.

This one can be really loud!

Violinists from all manner of musical backgrounds will be delighted by the Harley Benton HBV 990BCF, because this instrument comes with straightforward amplification that is also very flexible in terms of sound. With the piezo-based pickup system, feedback problems are hardly to be expected, even at higher volumes. The attractive price makes the Harley Benton HBV 990BCF suitable not only for beginners, but also for advanced players who are looking for a flexible electric violin as a second instrument. Incidentally, many violin players use an electric violin alongside their acoustic one for practising at home - so the neighbours are not bombarded with piercing violin tones. In any case, the unamplified sound of the Harley Benton HBV 990BCF is loud enough to be heard at a sufficient volume when playing alone.

About Harley Benton

Since 1998, the Harley Benton brand has been catering for the needs of numerous guitarists and bassists. In addition to an extensive range of stringed instruments, Thomann's house brand also offers a wide choice of amplifiers, speakers, effect pedals, and other accessories. In total, the range includes over 1,500 products. Built by established names in the industry, all Harley Benton products combine quality and reliability at attractive and affordable prices. The continuous expansion of the range ensures that Harley Benton always provides new, exciting, and innovative products that keep players perfectly in tune with the musical world, day after day.

Sounds to suit any style

The Harley Benton HBV 990BCF is the perfect all-in-one instrument to explore the wide and varied world of electric violins, and it comes at an exceptionally attractive price. Whether it's in a Jazz combo, a Bluesgrass group, or a Rock band: Wherever a clear and powerfully amplified violin sound is required, this electric violin hits the spot. Thanks to its active pickup system, the Harley Benton HBV 990BCF is totally hassle-free when playing - just plug it into an acoustic amplifier or sound system, adjust the volume and timbre, and you're ready to go. Moreover, if you like experimental sounds, you will enjoy enhancing the violin's sound using effects devices. Whether pimped with distortion, echo or octaver, or simply played with an unadulterated, loud sound - this electric violin is real fun.

58 Customer ratings

4.1 / 5

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40 Reviews

A
Very happy I waited for this to come in stock
Anonymous 05.07.2016
I decided to buy an electric violin one day. Never played a violin before but made my mind up and then started browsing.

I looked at loads online between £50 and £150 and did some research watching online tutorials and reviews. In the end I decided to get this one for the following reasons.

It has a proper jack output. I never realised until I did some research, some have mini jack outs. can you imagine such a thing? just think how angry you'd be to unpack a new instrument and find it takes a mini jack!?. They don't say on the specs on this site but one of the HB models looked like it had a mini jack from the pic.

It comes wit a carbon fibre bow. not all do and since I'm a complete beginner I have no idea what material is best but I'm a musician and a motorcyclist so I know that anything that's made of carbon fibre is inherently cool. In fact it looks a bit plasticky but it's black so from a distance looks cool.

It's not too heavy. I considered buying the Stagg violin. a little cheaper in the UK and I saw the Online Violin tutor give it a good review but although it looks cool, there's quite a lot of wood to it and apparently a bit heavy. I had no idea how much the weight would be an issue but now I have this model I realise it would be hard to learn.

It looks cool. all the available finishes look awesome. I couldn't decide which one to buy. although carbon fibre was one of the options so obviously I picked that. The Stagg model looks good too (it's in the shape of a big "S") but at the same time advertises its cheapness. This doesn't give away the make so looks like an expensive yamaha model.

Comes with everything. Most do I know but you get everything including a decent case. The headphones are the worst headphones I have ever shared a room with but I won't mark them down on that because chances are you own better headphones anyway, even if they're the ones that came with your iPhone. I think maybe they could save a couple of cents by not bothering.

I can play (a bit)! I spent a day watching tutorials learning how to hold the bow and where fingers go etc and after 24 hours had recorded myself playing a fairly decent violin line on aversion of "Lux Aeterna" I'm working on. OK it's the pat played on one string but I'm happy.

The reasons I haven't scored it 5:

The shoulder rest is really good, I need to use it but it does tend to fall out. not a big issue just a slight annoyance.

There's no circuit break on the jack. This means if you unplug it you need to remember to switch it off. I took mine out today and I'd left it on overnight. That said, the battery still seems ok.

It's cheap. Therefore there's bound to be corners cut but I'm not experienced enough to spot these yet. Probably an expensive set of strings might improve it 100% in which case it might still be an instrument that grows with me.

I had to wait for nearly a month from making the decision to it coming in stock but I'm glad I did although sad I haven't spent that month playing violin. Hopefully stock won't be a problem if you're thinking about this now. I took a break from recording violin to write this. I use lots of Logic Pro orchestral sounds in my compositions but having the option to accent my strings exactly how I want is amazing. I have many years of learning to do now though...
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Nice sound and a sturdy feeling for a bargain price
Anonymous 10.12.2014
I played acoustic violin a few years ago and I wanted to pick it up again but with an electric violin, and since I didn't want to spend too much money before I know if I like it I bought this by chance.

I'm happy to say I'm very satisfied and I love my new violin! I think it actually has pretty good sound, nothing amazing but still playable. It has somewhat of the typical "nasal" sound electric violins get, but it's really not that bad, and in addition it produces a pretty thick sound. I honestly like the sound it makes!

Quality wise it's not bad, but it's not perfect either. The neck is actually pretty rough and seems to be untreated wood. The carbon look seems to be just a glued decal, which is fine as long as it doesn't tear up. The shoulder rest is in my opinion worthless and one do well in investing in a proper one.
This being said it's pretty rugged, the frame is bolted in place instead of glued, and it has a solid feeling. It feels good to hold and play on, and it feels like I can go "metal" on it! :)

Additionally the bow feels good and has a nice curvature, and the case feels great and is of good quality.

For conclusion I say that for this price it really surprised me and even exceeded my expectations! I really enjoy playing it and it feels really good.
This is a great purchase if you're looking for something affordable to get into electric violins.
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Great value
luffarvante 20.09.2021
I bought this as I used to play violin as a child and wanted to get back into it.
I needed an option that could be played in an appointment without bothering the neighbors to much and read up a bit on different options, mainly from Harley Benton.
Admittedly I haven't used it very much or frequently since I bought it (~4 years ago) except the first few months, but it still works without issue whenever I feel like playing.
I'm sure one would notice a difference if compared with a more expensive instrument, but this violin is excellent value for a beginner or even a more advanced player that needs an alternative to practice at home.

I've ran it through both headphones and my guitar amp. It sounded fine on headphones but a bit shrill through the amp. That is likely due to my horrible technique, and the fact that I didn't bother to mess around with the EQ very much.

The supplied hardcase is excellent. My only gripe is that the shoulder rest has to be removed for it to fit (this is normal, of I recall my childhood correctly though) but there isn't really any good place to put it; you have to store it next to the violin, making it rattle around when transporting the case.
I have done this several times, honestly not as carefully as I probably should be at times, but have had no issues because of it, so it should not be a concern.

In conclusion it's great value, especially at this price point. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for their first electric violin, a good practice violin, a backup instrument or as the first violin for a beginner.
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Good beginner violin
Anonymous 30.08.2014
The Harley Benton HBV 990BCF is of quite good quality and the only thing/problem I could find on my violin was that the LINE OUT jack was a bit of (I could plug it in and have no sound at all and then by twitching the plugged in contact a bit the sound would come back). If you buy this model and get the same problem try that before sending it in for repairs because the quality of this violin is just that of a electric beginner violin or just if you want something to play around with.

For the price it is a very nice beginner electric violin.
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