LINZI STOPPARD 24 CARAT FUSE VIOLINS

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2007 with one aim…to re-write the out of date stereo type that violins are just classical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 that all violinist need whether classical or electric musicians. Both
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 variation.
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 and carbon-fibre composite. This give 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 violin 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
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 Four String 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."

FUSE’s Bespoke Gold Plated Aquilas

FUSE’s eponymous breakthrough album was released in 2010 through Edel Records.
The duo seize classic Rock tracks and put them through the FUSE wringer! The results
are radical, innovative but loving reinterpretations for the electric violin. “FUSE” features
14 incredible tracks including ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay, Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’, the lead
track by Andreas Johnson and a stunning blend of the mediaeval ‘O Fortuna’ from
Carmina Burana and Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir’. All tracks have been reworked and reanimated
in the unique FUSE way. The duo have had to invent new ways to render melodies that
were vocal on the original tracks. FUSE aim to prove that the electric violin can be as
versatile as the electric guitar – a valedictory romp through “I Love Rock N Roll” seems to
seal the deal!
FUSE’s Bridge Violin Collection including
their Bespoke Gold Plated Variations

What FUSE does has a truly global appeal; there are no language barriers. Whilst they
are very proudly a string band, listeners can sing along to the choruses that we all
know. With the release of “FUSE”, FUSE will be bringing their unique brand of
entertainment to a whole new audience, let’s hope they are ready!

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!

For more information please visit www.fuseofficial.com