ISI has been building exquisite violins, violas, cellos, mandolins and custom guitars for more than 40 years.
Instruments from ISI feature the finest tone woods, the highest quality fittings and hardware & the unique ISI Pickup System.Although amplified acoustic instruments are ISI’s specialty,our pure acoustic instruments are unsurpassed for tone & playability.
Introducing the Redesigned ISI Pickup
In response to my customers, who loved the amplified sound of my standard pickup and who were asking for a system that had negligible effect on the instrument acoustically, I have redesigned the standard pickup to have a narrower foot width and a more solid structure .
Using high quality bridge blanks and well aged Bosnian bridge wood, the top portion is carefully mortised and firmly fixed into the base which houses the two sensors. This two-piece construction enables me to place the pickups exactly where I want in relation to the feet, giving the best response and most open tone while still holding up acoustically.
Our Instruments
Instruments from ISI feature the finest tone woods, the highest quality fittings and hardware & the unique ISI Pickup System. Although amplified acoustic instruments are ISI’s specialty, our pure acoustic instruments are unsurpassed for tone & playability.
What’s New at Ithaca Stringed Instruments
Recent projects, information and blog posts
Florentine Mandolin for Dr. Richard Wing
This Florentine scrolled mandolin just completed for Dr. Richard Wing. Red Maple back and sides with Ebony trim. I like the understated appointments. A clean, yet classic, appearance. These are a challenge to build but [...]
A-Style Mandocello for Jim Walsh
This A-style Mandocello just completed for Jim Walsh. Of Sitka Spruce and Red Maple, it turned out beautifully with a clear and open tone. Very punchy in the low strings and massive amounts of sustain. [...]
New Violins
Here are some pics of several new violins delivered this year . All of Sitka Spruce and one piece Big Leaf Maple back and sides. This combination is giving consistently great results with a sweet [...]
5-String Artist for Ricardo Ramirez
Ricardo Ramirez has just received his new 5 string Artist. I have taken his 5 string NV in trade which is an opportunity for some lucky person to get a great instrument . Here is [...]
Articles
A Dynamic Unit: The NV Electric Violin
From Strings Magazine September/October 1998 In this article, Darol reviews the NV violin. These days, there's an embarrassment of riches in the multifarious and whimsical shapes available that can be played like a violin. Just [...]
“I have been looking for years for a 5-string violin that sounds good acoustically and that sounds closest to a real violin when used with a pickup . This new 5-string made by Eric for me is exactly what I was looking for so many years, an instrument that sounds great in both contexts.”
Jean Luc Ponty
French virtuoso violinist and jazz composer
“I keep my ISI real handy, all the time.”
David Torn
Guitarist, Producer
“When I got my first NV, a process began that allowed me to reach sounds I had been trying to express for years.”
Zack Brock
Violinist