Product Review of Jordan Electric Violins that appeared in the November/December 2000 issue of STRINGS Magazine Page 106
Reviewed by Stacy Phillips
"The solid-body (without resonating chamber) Jordan Electric Violin
is another successful entry in the burgeoning field of high-volume, no-feedback
bowed instruments. The model I tested had five strings and a Barbera pickup
(probably the most common model in such instruments), and was made of maple.
It had an even tone and volume on all strings and on my small Trace Acoustic
amplifier it sounded like a loud violin rather than a generic electronic
instrument.
While pleasing sound is the main factor, there are a couple of extra
features that make the Jordan unique. Finally bid farewell to those pesky
friction pegs: the head stock is gone! Ball ends are secured where the
head stock used to be, and sleek machined tuners are placed on the treble-side
ribs. No fine tuners are needed. A volume control is also placed nearby.
Despite these changes, the instrument is still well balanced and easy to
play.
No longer will you forget your shoulder rest, nor will it slip off
while playing. It is securely bolted to the underside. It can be set to
your specifications, as can many other features of the instrument. Other
options include a variety of pickup makes, a detachable upper bout (the
test model had none), a variety of finishes, four to seven strings, a fretted
fingerboard, and even double-necked violins. The manufacturer recommends
the use of a preamplifier to realize the full tonal range unless an acoustic
instrument amplifier is used. An onboard preamp is another option. For
further information, write to Jordan Electric Violins, 1173 Linden Dr.,
Concord, CA 94520; call (925) 671-9246; or e-mail jjordan@jordanmusic.com."
- Stacy Phillips
Excerpt from August/September 1999 article in STRINGS Magazine titled "Commission Completed" by Tracy Silverman. The article tells about a custom violin he ordered from another maker and the excerpt covers work I did to make the instrument perform better. The article appeared on pages 46 and 47.
"But as Ferrington himself predicted, a new invention always has a few
bugs. And since there was a bit of distance between Ferrington and me -
from Oakland, California to L.A. - some of those details were, in the end,
worked out closer to home by the knowledgeable and fastidious John Jordan
of Jordan Electric Violins in Concord, California. Jordan turned out to
be a real find, coming through with modifications when I needed them on
short notice. His abilities include fine work on acoustic violins, violas,
and cellos and on his incredibly beautiful guitars. He is also one of the
few people on earth who not only know what six- and seven-string violins
are but who actually have several different production models of both.
He removed as active preamp that went south and switched pickups to the
Barbera pickup now in place on the violin. And he filed the frets down
to the fingerboard under the E, A, and D strings after I decided I preferred
them that way. Jordan also designed and installed a carbon-fiber brace
on the inside of the instrument so that the damper could be tightened from
the back of the violin to push up under the bridge, further reducing the
resonance of the top for high-volume playing where feedback and other tonal
properties associated with the natural resonance become an issue."
-Tracy Silverman