Ask any musician, collegiate, or established professional about picking out a new instrument, and the ensuing conversation is liable to be different every time. There are few things more personal than shopping for an instrument, and at the risk of speaking from a place of slight bias, purchasing a violin is even more of a meticulous and idiosyncratic undertaking. Choice can be affected by any number of factors that can include maker, aesthetics, craftsmanship, price, sound, and physical feel, just to name a few.
Bring the conversation to the realm of modern electric model instruments and a whole separate set of questions and concerns arise–durability, comfort, weight, sound integrity, aesthetics (that hot pink violin modeled with a Flying V-esque frame might not be as versatile as the subtle black or neutral brown). It might seem like some of these factors are repeated but expectations for construction of a quality violin changes with every new element incorporated into its functional use, and digitalization is a significant addition.
While there are plenty of violin makers and brands that handle both acoustic and electric stringed instruments, a fresh startup in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Weinreich Labs, has unveiled news of a new project; one that immediately generates intrigue, given the aforementioned discretion in the violin shopping process.
Weinreich Labs initially stepped into the startup space focused on the goal of “creating the next generation of electric violins” Their first major accomplishment, as outlined by Southeast Michigan Startup, was “a violin that produces heirloom quality music when amplified or recorded.” Aiming to stay ahead of the curve of small business and generate quicker revenue, Weinreich is now also developing a mobile app meant to serve as a digital violin repository of exemplary quality. Viewers will be able to read about and visually analyze an assortment of violins. The caliber of the visuals is expected to be so high that it will be possible to discern even the most delicate variations, such as the instrument’s varnish.
“The Violin Gallery” app is slated for launch at the end of the month and will be marked at an affordable $0.99 for a lite version and $15 USD annually for its most expansive version. What the exact range of features between price tiers will entail has yet to be divulged, but even just the ability to see and read just a few preview shots after launch will be enough to showcase the gallery’s potential for informing violinists looking to make future purchases. Similarly to acquiring a new car, buying a violin comes down to an in-person experience, decided once the buyer has the opportunity to play the instrument. Still, if one can inspect and determine selected interests prior to visiting a shop, it will be that much easier to get right down to the business of playing, hearing, and paying without excess fuss or the risk of getting overwhelmed.
You can sign up to the Weinreich Labs newsletter right from their homepage, for future information on the app’s development, as well as follow them on Tumblr and Twitter @WeinreichLabs.
Kira is an old school music nerd with a love for all things creative; always searching for music’s common ground. She graduated with an M.A. in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. Drop her a tweet @shadowmelody1
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