[YAMAHA] Comparing YEV Electric Violins

2025-08-20

It has now been a year since the release of the professional-grade YEV PRO series from YAMAHA. Are you familiar with the differences between the standard models and the PRO models of the YEV electric violin series? I honestly didn’t know too much about them, so I took this opportunity to look into it. This article is a comparison and an introduction blog.

About the YAMAHA Electric Violin

As of August 2025, here is a summary of all the YEV electric violins currently available for sale.

Regarding color variations, while the standard YEV series is available in just two colors: Black and Natural, the PRO series has introduced a new Deep Red option, bringing the total to three colors. Additionally, the fingerboard color has been changed for the Black and Natural models, and even the chinrest bracket has been color-matched, making the PRO models finely detailed and well-crafted.

So, what are the actual differences in the body between the two series? Using information from the official YAMAHA website, I researched and compared the specifications of each model.

About the YAMAHA YEV Electric Violin Series

Upon checking the official website, I found that a proper comparison chart for each series is published, just as expected from YAMAHA!

Looking at the chart, the first thing that stood out was the weight. Compared to the standard models, the PRO models are approximately 40g to 50g lighter. However, to be honest, such a small difference in weight might not be noticeably felt.
Next, what caught my attention was the body. The PRO models are listed as having a back plate: maple (hollow internal structure), whereas the standard models do not mention any special processing. This shows that the PRO models use specially processed wood. This may also be part of what contributes to their reduced weight.
Another point of interest is the bridge. The PRO models are described as using maple treated with ARE. ARE (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement) is Yamaha's proprietary wood aging technology, which allows new wood to be matured in a short amount of time to emulate the qualities of aged wood. This innovative wood modification technique produces a sound similar to that of a well-played, vintage instrument.

Wood Modification Technology: A.R.E.

This time, Yamaha has applied A.R.E. processing to one of the most crucial elements of any electric instrument—the pickup area. This makes it arguably one of the standout features of the PRO models.

Another point worth noting is the difference in the pegs. While the entry-level models use standard ebony pegs, the PRO models are equipped with Wittner Fine-Tune Pegs.

WITTNER / ULTRA Finetune Peg VN 4/4–3/4 M (Set of 4)

These pegs, developed by Wittner, feature internal gears, making them significantly easier and more stable to tune compared to traditional wooden pegs. From a player’s perspective, this is a very welcome upgrade.

For more info on these pegs, check out the blog below:

⇒ Replacing Violin Pegs: Trying Wittner Fine-Tune Pegs on My Own Instrument

Summary

The body has been made lighter, and a new Deep Red color has been added. Existing Brown and Black models have also been upgraded with changes to the fingerboard and other parts, giving them a more luxurious appearance.
The bridge is treated with A.R.E., enhancing both sound quality and response.
Wittner Fine-Tune Pegs are used for the tuning pegs, allowing for precise adjustments via internal gears, making quick tuning on stage possible.

What do you think? Yamaha’s YEV electric violin series is sure to shine on stage. Looking through the spec sheets reveals exactly what has changed and what hasn't, which is surprisingly interesting! If you're curious, definitely consider checking out the Yamaha YEV electric violin series.

In charge of stringed instruments

4歳から18歳までバイオリンを習っていました。弦楽器が好きでよく演奏して楽しんでいます。クラシックな曲からはやりの曲までよく耳コピして弾いています。楽器はバイオリンとヴィオラを持っていますが、最近チェロが一押しでチェロも弾けるようになりたいなぁなんて思っています。いつか仲間を集めてアンサンブルなんかも目指したいです。