The Realist RLSTVNQT Copperhead Violin Pickup - Most Respected Acoustic Instrument Pickup - Transparent Sound And Texture - Unmatched Dynamic Response - Self-Powered - USA Made

The installation is a little bit tricky but very doable. Worked very well for my situation – I had been using a clip-on mic but there was too much bleed coming in from other instruments in the band. This pick up solved that problem.It gives a good clean sound. The only drawback is that in order to put my violin back in the case, I have to disconnect the jack from the body of the instrument. But you can leave the business end of the device still under the legs of the bridge if you perform mostly amplified.If you need to play without amplification a lot, you probably will want to remove it because the device does change the tone of the violin a small amount. This pickup would work best if you have two violins: one for amplified stuff you can leave this on, and one not.

It’s very quality, no doubt about it. However, the packaging, the way you guys ship such sensitive device, almost $300, is absolutely a let down. You just threw it in a box, I’m sure it has been bouncing all over, not even wrapped in bubble wrap or something, no cushion, nothing. You just threw it in a box with no protection. I should return it just for that!

This is my second realist. My first one died after around six years… the plastic wore down, thus exposing the copper filament. This product is the next best thing to buying a (costly) acoustic/electric violin. It is really a permanent fixture, because who wants to constantly detune and lift the bridge all the time… it gives the best amplified sound of all of the pick ups I’ve tried. Once installed, it is literally plug in and play… super simple.

great pickup but it needs a carpenter jack instead of the one it comes with