Bridge Lyra 5 string electric violin

Try the Bridge Violins home page to see which professional musicians use Bridge Violins…

http://www.bridgeinstruments.co.uk/home.php

My Bridge Lyra is about 5 or six years old, bought directly from the manufacturers, Bridge, in the original case.

It’s got a strong Kevlar body, electrics powered by small penny-sized battery, and is a great instrument for folk and pop music, but even better for rock and blues, with the extra fifth string (a C below the G) giving great chunky double stops for chopping rhythms as well as fruity low melodies.

 It was gigged a lot for the first couple of years but since then has been safe at home, but is still in very fine condition, no dinks and scratches etc.

 I'm selling it because of developing arthritis in some fingers.

I’ve copied this bit from someone on Fiddle Hangout http://www.fiddlehangout.com/topic/32940

If you're willing to spend the money, I would recommend this instrument for someone looking for a well-designed and well-built electric instrument that retains somewhat of an acoustic sound, albeit through a piezo pickup.  The piezo is visible as a green line running horizontally through the middle of the bridge, from the bass side all the way over to the treble side.  The piezo wiring comes down into the body through a hidden hole of the treble foot.  The wire is totally hidden and not visible.

Since the body is hollow, it has some natural acoustic resonance, which helps with the amplified tone.  Un-amplified it is slightly louder than playing an acoustic violin with a heavy practice mute installed.  The instrument is just a few ounces heavier than a standard acoustic, but is much stronger due to the Kevlar/carbon body.  A few times I've stepped on the cord while playing, almost pulling it out of my hand, with no damage to either the body or the cord jack.

I have to say that this instrument feels very good in the hand.  The neck shape is perfect (from my limited perspective).  And playability is excellent.  There is a nice balance between notes, and across strings.  Also, only a light touch with both the left hand, and light bow pressure with the right,  is necessary to get a note to speak well.  Kudos go to Bridge for their design and manufacturing, as well as to EVS for the setup.