The Bunnel EDGE is primarily aimed at beginners and intermediate players.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t handle a more professional role.
- Ceramic piezo pickup
- Active electronics
- Maple body
- Great tone
- Volume control and a 2-band EQ
- It could use more detailed controls
- Design might be too basic for some
While it will never live up to a true professional model, what you get for the low price is pretty incredible.
That is why we rank it above far more expensive models. It’s not because this is the better instrument. It’s not. Expensive models like the Yamaha SV-200 are much better.
It’s because the EDGE represents the best value on the market. Even more so when you consider all the extras it ships with.
If you need the best performing instrument, look elsewhere.
But if you want the best possible return on your investment, this is it. Read the rest of our Bunnel EDGE review to find out if this is the right electric violin for you.
Table of Contents
Bunnel EDGE Review: Overview And Features
We could compare traditional and electric violins for days without ever coming to a conclusion about which one’s better. Love them or hate them, electric violins do have their special place in the world of music.
And just like any other instrument, it’s important to pick the right one, especially if you’re just starting out. This is exactly why we dedicated our time to look more into one of the best beginner electric violins out there, the Bunnel Edge.
Just like many other models, it retains the essential features of a conventional violin, while also a bit of a twist. The Bunnel Edge is a very simple electric violin, with a body that mostly resembles the standard violin and retains the stylish features that violin players love.
This is a full-sized instrument, so we would not recommend it for smaller players, like children.
The instrument has a piezo pickup and a preamp. On the front side, you can find the volume control and a 2-band EQ. The Bunnel Edge also has two outputs: one regular for amplifiers or mixers, and another one that’s suited for headphones. The preamp runs on a 9-volt battery and is overall pretty useful in controlling your output.
It takes no more than a glance to see that it’s built well. And the overall performance proves this. The violin manages to maintain a pretty stable tuning, and both the tuning pegs on the headstock and the fine tuners on the tailpiece are very easy to use.
Now, with a product like this one, you shouldn’t really expect a professional-level instrument. However, for the price that is offered, this is more than a great deal. The incredible value is why we rated it the best overall electric violin.
That value is increased even more by the bundle of additional useful products that come with the instrument. You get a hard case, a Giuliani Brazilwood bow with genuine horsehair, a Giuliani rosin cake, D’Addario Prelude strings, and even a headphone set for silent practice. What more do you need?
Key Features
- Piezo pickup and a preamp
- 2-band EQ and volume control
- Additional output for headphones
- Comes in two colors
- Ceramic piezo pickup
- Active electronics
- Maple body
- Great tone
- Volume control and a 2-band EQ
- It could use more detailed controls
- Design might be too basic for some
Performance
What’s really exciting about the Bunnel Edge is that it’s a pretty versatile violin. Of course, classic violinists would prefer acoustic violins, but this instrument offers some great possibilities. Although it could use a 3-band instead of a 2-band EQ, the controls are pretty responsive and you can dial in some great tones on it.
What was really interesting is how this violin responds to effects pedals. Some may be skeptical about using piezo pickups with conventional guitar pedals and amplifiers, but this violin can handle whatever you need. Even when plugged into a high-gain amp designed for metal music, you’ll be able to dial in some great tones.
The whole thing is rounded up with a very comfortable neck and a chin rest. The instrument will feel very easy to play, no matter what type of music that you’re aiming for. What’s more, the instrument is set up and is ready for playing straight out of the box.
Build Quality
What also makes it stand out is its build quality. It’s pretty surprising to see such a reliable electric violin at this price level. Although intended for beginners or amateurs, the Bunnel Edge stays in tune and is overall very reliable for live performances. You just can’t go wrong with it for this price level.
Advantages And Disadvantages
Pros
- Great deal for the price
- Comes with additional gear, including a quality Giuliani bow
- Preamp and pickup work well and allow some additional tone-shaping
- Very reliable
- Ready to play straight out of the box
Cons
- It could use more detailed controls
- Design might be too basic for some
Bunnel EDGE Vs Bunnel NEXT
Those who are looking for entry-level or budget electric violins generally consider the Bunnel NEXT as well. In some ways, the Bunnel EDGE and Bunnel NEXT are pretty similar.
First, both are regular solid-body electric violins with piezo pickups. Both of them also use the same pickup and the same preamp, the CV-210E.
They also have the same formation with the outputs, with one for instrument amplifiers or mixing boards, and another for headphones. The tailpiece and tuners are also the same, and both are pretty reliable instruments.
Both also come with the same exact bundle that includes the same hard case, bow, spare strings, rosin cake, and even headphones. I suppose none of this should be too surprising, considering they are both made by the same brand.
That said, although both are solid body violins with many of the same exact specs, there are also some obvious differences. You can clearly see this from the overall design that these instruments have.
The body shape of the NEXT is kind of unusual, even for an electric violin. This doesn’t make either one better or worse, but these two instruments will feel different in your hands. It just depends on what you prefer.
The one downside, though, is that the preamp controls are on the side, and the chin rest goes near the controls and over the plastic frame. It won’t interfere with any of the controls, but it’s still somewhat of a flaw.
Another difference is that the instrument resonates a bit more than the Bunnel EDGE. This can be an advantage, especially to those who generally prefer that acoustic or acoustic-electric vibe.
See our review of the Bunnel Next for more.
Bunnel EDGE Electric Violin: Conclusion And Rating
If you’re looking for a simple electric violin that can do the job right at a great price, you can’t really go wrong with the Bunnel EDGE.
The low price and the simplicity are this instrument’s biggest advantages. Sure, you can’t expect top-level performance with it, but it’s still capable of delivering quite a punch.
When plugged into an amp or a PA system, it will give you that hard attack and great response. You can also tweak the tone a little by cutting the high-end or boosting the lows.
Whatever the genre you’re aiming for, the Bunnel EDGE is the perfect instrument for beginners, intermediate players, or even those who are looking for a simple electric violin as semi-professional performers. The great price to performance ratio is what earned it a Musicaroo rating of 5 out of 5.
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