VV-3V PICKUP

Low-profile portable bridge-mounted piezo with volume control for violin or viola


VV-3V is the perfect solution for violin and viola players who seek to capture the natural tone of their instrument.


An onboard volume control makes it easy for performers to control the pickup output while onstage.


Cork-lined, fully adjustable barrel clamps keep the unit safe and stable while attached to the instrument.

Features

Safe install

Just mount the pickup jack housing onto the lower bout, just below the waist on the 4th (G) string side of your instrument. Adjust the height of the barrel clamps to tighten the pickup to the instrument.

Onboard volume control

Players can control their output signal while onstage or in the studio, right from the pickup-mounted volume knob.

Wood housing and sensor

The jack housing is encased in elegant and stylish ebony. The piezo sensor has a lightweight wooden casing to achieve maximum tonal sensitivity and transmission.

Natural sound

VV-3V has a passive design that reproduces the natural sound of the instrument with no need for a battery.

Protection for your instruments finish

The adjustable clamps have protective cork at each point of contact to prevent damage to your instrument’s finish. 

Great compatibility with many sizes of violin and viola

The pickup comes with universal size barrels to attach the jack housing equally well to both violin and viola bodies with just a few turns.

 

Instructions

Follow our installation guide through the following steps:

We recommend using a professional technician to install the pickup correctly.

Choose the most convenient place for the jack housing depending on the type of your chinrest, size of your instrument and your playing technique. We recommend installing the jack housing on the left (G string). Some players prefer to install it on the right side, which works just as well.

Extend the clamps by holding the pickup and the bottom feet of the clamp while loosening the center barrels. After choosing the desired position, tighten the barrels with the provided metal key. 

 

Some bridge slot openings will need to be widened slightly. We recommend 400 grit sandpaper, folding the paper appropriately to make it sturdy. If possible, use a thin piece of plastic or metal plate between the sandpaper. This will help while sanding and keep the sanded surface flat, which is important. Before you start sanding, use appropriately cut cardboard placed around the bridge to protect the varnish of the instrument. Widen the slot slowly, stopping frequently to try attaching the pickup sensor. This will avoid making the slot too wide.

Install the sensor into the horizontal eye slot of the bridge on the 1st (E) string side, so that the cable is on the outer side of the bridge. Hold the bridge with your free hand so it does not move while installing the sensor. The sensor should fit tightly but install without force. It should not move while playing or even shaking the viola, but not too tight where the sensor or bridge can be damaged or broken.

With the volume off, plug one end of your instrument cable into your pickup and the other into your favorite high-impedance acoustic amplifier. Hold the jack housing with one hand while attaching and detaching the cable. 

You are now ready to enjoy your new pickup!

Video Review

Specifications

Specifications  
Weight 45gr / 1.6oz
Wood Solid ebony
Maximum Impedance 1500 Ω
Potentiometer 500 kΩ
Measurements
Specified part Letter Size in MM (from*) Size in MM (to*) Size in INCH (from*) Size in INCH (to*)
Pickup sensor side diameter a 12,0 12,1 0,472 0,476
Pickup sensor bottom diameter b 12,0 12,1 0,472 0,476
Pickup sensor with extention diameter  c 12,7  12,8 0,500 0,504
Lead wire length d 105,0 - 4,134 -
Jack housing length e 50,3 50,4 1,980 1,984
Jack housing height f 21,3 21,4 0,839 0,843
Mounting bracket  and 29mm barrel untightened  g 51,0 52,0 2,008 2,047
Foot width h 15,8 - 0,622 -
Pickup sensor thickness i 1,9 2,0 0,073 0,079
Sensor to jack housing plug length j

38,1

38,2 1,500 1,504
Jack housing width k 14,8 14,9 0,583 0,587
Mounting bracket and 23mm barrel tightened  l 41,8 - 1,646 -
*Our handmade pickups may vary slightly in size due to the nature of the building

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