fuse is virtuoso electric violinists linzi stoppard and Ben Lee who teamed up in late 2007 with one aim…to re-write the out of date stereo type that violins are just classical instruments. That is not to say classical music is not important to Linzi and Ben, far from it. It is the basic training all violinists need whether classical or electric musicians. Linzi and Ben were classically trained from the age of four and five respectively.
Having started with Susuki method Linzi and Ben mastered the classical violin and then in their late teens switched after been hooked by the excitement and versatility of the electric. The endless possibilities opened up a plethora of opportunities using effects and EQ. Not only that, it offered a completely new dimension and interpretation to pieces of music they grew to love in the earlier years.
There are many types of electric violins but FUSE are loyal to what they consider to be the best in the business - Bridge violins. Specifically their exclusive GOLD PLATED Aquila 4 and 5 strings.
So why Bridge for FUSE?
The headstock is inspired by Stradivarius 1710 Viola da Gamba; the neck, with distinctive Bridge shield and through peg box, is carved from a single maple block. The ebony fingerboard, nut and maple neck are professionally shaped and traditionally finished. The body is hollow, formed from a moulded kevlar carbon-fibre composite. This gives the violin a high strength to weight ratio, immense durability and a natural resonance. A key feature which FUSE are particularly specific about is the use of an encapsulated pickup system integrated into the bridge, utilising all the advantages of a traditional bridge and capturing the warmth of tone synonymous with their acoustic counterparts. Notably Bridge does not supply the Bridge pickup system to any other manufacturer or makers which ensures the sound of a Bridge is unique to just that. FUSE's Aquilas also feature convenient volume and tone tilt controls. Down at the business end the Bridge has a 1/4 inch jack socket which is carefully positioned and angled to avoid drag and interference from the cable. Not by coincidence the angle and proportions are also compatible with all common wireless solution - very important for Linzi and Ben as FUSE's renown live performance could not be described as static, it is high impact, high energy, more akin to a pop guitar band.
FUSE started with off-the-shelf Bridge violins but as their international profile sawed FUSE nurtured a closer relationship with the violin manufacturer and it wasn't long before FUSE's customised variations started to appear on their live tours. One of the more coveted bespoke FUSE Bridge violins were their gold plated one-offs. Each violin had a redesigned kevlar body to off-set the added weight from the gold plating.
Linzi says "my Bridge Aquila is complimented wherever I play. I love the way it looks, the full body is very cool. But the best part is the awesome sound it generates - it is richer and more colourful sounding than my previous violins, but still even in tone. It is responsive yet very natural and acoustic sounding. This is in part due to the pre amp which gives it a beautiful amplified tone but I mostly put this down to the Piezo Configuration of the pick ups which help give it that really true, clean and honest sound. Not forgetting it is beautiful and funky to look at, light and comfortable to play."
In 2010 Ben Lee set a new Guinness World Record as the Fastest Violin Player in the world using a Bridge Aquila. Ben became the first person in history to break the "magic-minute" barrier by performing "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 58.51 seconds (equivalent to 14 notes per second). Ben can now proclaim to now have the fastest fingers in the world!
Having started with Susuki method Linzi and Ben mastered the classical violin and then in their late teens switched after been hooked by the excitement and versatility of the electric. The endless possibilities opened up a plethora of opportunities using effects and EQ. Not only that, it offered a completely new dimension and interpretation to pieces of music they grew to love in the earlier years.
There are many types of electric violins but FUSE are loyal to what they consider to be the best in the business - Bridge violins. Specifically their exclusive GOLD PLATED Aquila 4 and 5 strings.
So why Bridge for FUSE?
The headstock is inspired by Stradivarius 1710 Viola da Gamba; the neck, with distinctive Bridge shield and through peg box, is carved from a single maple block. The ebony fingerboard, nut and maple neck are professionally shaped and traditionally finished. The body is hollow, formed from a moulded kevlar carbon-fibre composite. This gives the violin a high strength to weight ratio, immense durability and a natural resonance. A key feature which FUSE are particularly specific about is the use of an encapsulated pickup system integrated into the bridge, utilising all the advantages of a traditional bridge and capturing the warmth of tone synonymous with their acoustic counterparts. Notably Bridge does not supply the Bridge pickup system to any other manufacturer or makers which ensures the sound of a Bridge is unique to just that. FUSE's Aquilas also feature convenient volume and tone tilt controls. Down at the business end the Bridge has a 1/4 inch jack socket which is carefully positioned and angled to avoid drag and interference from the cable. Not by coincidence the angle and proportions are also compatible with all common wireless solution - very important for Linzi and Ben as FUSE's renown live performance could not be described as static, it is high impact, high energy, more akin to a pop guitar band.
FUSE started with off-the-shelf Bridge violins but as their international profile sawed FUSE nurtured a closer relationship with the violin manufacturer and it wasn't long before FUSE's customised variations started to appear on their live tours. One of the more coveted bespoke FUSE Bridge violins were their gold plated one-offs. Each violin had a redesigned kevlar body to off-set the added weight from the gold plating.
Linzi says "my Bridge Aquila is complimented wherever I play. I love the way it looks, the full body is very cool. But the best part is the awesome sound it generates - it is richer and more colourful sounding than my previous violins, but still even in tone. It is responsive yet very natural and acoustic sounding. This is in part due to the pre amp which gives it a beautiful amplified tone but I mostly put this down to the Piezo Configuration of the pick ups which help give it that really true, clean and honest sound. Not forgetting it is beautiful and funky to look at, light and comfortable to play."
In 2010 Ben Lee set a new Guinness World Record as the Fastest Violin Player in the world using a Bridge Aquila. Ben became the first person in history to break the "magic-minute" barrier by performing "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 58.51 seconds (equivalent to 14 notes per second). Ben can now proclaim to now have the fastest fingers in the world!