Headway The Band Violin Pickup System

I rated it 5 because so far it's the closest thing to the original sound that you can get. I did an a/b testing of the sound from the band compared to my violin sound recorded using a condenser mic 1.5 feet away from my violin and the results were around 4/5 to 4.5/5 compared to the original sound. The sound that came out from the band is sort of like having 2 round tourte style mute on 1) G and D string and 2) A and E string. So in short the sound is there and the wholeness of the vibration of the body sound is there but somewhat a bit muted for my taste. I guess this would be the effect of the "band" around the body. This is where the additional effects come in.First you need to have a pedal with an EQ. You need to roll off around 150Hz to avoid the body handling noise. Also as stated in their manual you can try cutting 800 - 950Hz then do the same for 2kHz - 5kHz. Next is you need to have reverb. This depends on your taste. Add delay also if you want.The goal that I tried doing on my a/b test was make my acoustic violin with the headway band on it sound exactly the same or as close as I can get to my acoustic violin without the headway band on a condenser mic. So the setting that I got is a setting built for my violin only. I got it to sound right in the end just by using EQ. The sound was just like the original. After that I added reverb and delay.So why would I pick this instead of the piezo pickups and other pickups you need to place in your violin? Well my answer would be simply because:1. I don't want installing something in my violin that would scratch it. The band does not scratch your violin.2. I don't want installing something that would be hard to remove when later I choose to go full acoustic. With the band, you just remove it just like that.3. I want the full body sound. Let's face it, plain pick ups just sound flat, too much on the treble, etc. The sound you get from the band is how your violin really sound but with a mute. You can correct this by having effects.4. Feedback. This is so far the best pick up out there with little or no feedback at all.The only problem I think many of its users is the velcro losing it's grip. Well you can always clean it up or just get a new velcro and cut the same way Headway did it. Remove the old one then replace with your newly cut velcro.So you might ask what I used as effects? I went for Zoom A2 in the beginning. Perfect sound. It also has anti feedback and all the works. Now I sold it and got myself a Zoom A3. I'll do the a/b test again and see how it goes.:)

This thing is really, really close to being the best thing since sliced bread. When it arrived, I was very disappointed. The output was weak, and it buzzed on stronger notes. Fortunately, the vendor was The FiddlerShop, and the Fiddlerman himself helped me get it sorted. He knew exactly what the issue was, and pointed me in the right direction. I played three shows with it on St. Paddy's day, and got all sorts of positive comments on the way it sounded. FAR better than my FV-200, and very close to the sound I get from my Myers microphone without the risk of feedback. I also like that I can use it on multiple violins.So why am I giving it only four stars?1. The Velcro is already losing grip in several spots after only a few days of use. The contact area is large, so this isn't a problem now, but it will inevitably become one.2. As the Fiddlerman correctly diagnosed, the buzzing and weak output were caused by the band simply not being snug enough around the instrument. The Band is less pliable and flexible that I envisioned from the description, so it can be a challenge to get it snug. The Fiddlerman gave me a couple of tips on getting the fit snug that helped immensely. I ended up augmenting his suggestion by creating a second band (elastic, with Velcro attachment points) to make the fit even more snug. Ideally, the material that makes up the outside of The Band should be more elastic, so that it is easier to establish good contract between the top of the violin and the elements.I imagine a tight fit is easier on violins with a higher arch on the top and/or a deeper bowl. A good, snug attachment to the top of the violin is absolutely critical to getting a good clean, strong sound. However, the effort is well worth the reward. The sound is smooth and balanced, and lacks the harsh "electronic" feel of so many non-microphone units.

This pickup sounds like a violin. The others I've tried, built into the bridge, clip on piezoelectric, stick on... All sounded like something other than a fiddle - trumpet, sax maybe, but fiddle? Not a chance.Simple to put on and take off. Good to have a preamp of some sort, which is true for all acoustic instruments. I use it with a loud, plugged in acoustic band and a contra dance band. Works like a dream. Coupled with a wireless system (I like the Ammoon brand, not sold here) it is amazingly freeing not to have to lean into a mic all evening.

I'm a working musician who gigs 2-4 times a week. On long gigs, the glue warms up and the velcro slides off the tube, loosening the bond between the pickup and the violin, which creates a buzzing sound that is bad. Attempts to re-tighten the tube are futile as the glue is loose and the tension won't stay.I wish they would figure this out because I love this product and the Headway pre-amp that goes with it, both are great, except for this problem. I'm switching to another pickup after a year of putzing with this.