This is an excellent violin pickup which mounts between bridge and tailpiece. Kit includes a small lightweight 1/4" female Carpenter jack for external mounting.

Also available for viola.

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Great tonal response. Preamp is suggested.

Installation Guide

What's in the Box

• McIntyre VT-700 transducer element
• Small lightweight 1/4" female Carpenter jack for external mounting

Not included: preamp (optional but suggested for best performance), additional mounting hardware.

Tools You'll Need

• Soft cloth or protective pad
• Small screwdriver (if required to secure the jack)

Before You Begin

The VT-700 mounts between the bridge and tailpiece of the violin — no drilling, routing, or internal access to the instrument body is required. This is a non-invasive pickup that sits in the existing gap between bridge and tailpiece. Confirm there is adequate clearance in this area on your specific instrument.

Bridge/Tailpiece Mounting Note

⚠️ Hypothesis — confirm with McIntyre documentation before proceeding: The transducer element is typically clamped, wedged, or attached between the bridge foot and the tailpiece area using the instrument's own string tension or a small mounting clip. The exact positioning and securing method should be confirmed with McIntyre's official installation sheet before placing the element on your instrument to avoid damage to the bridge or top.

Installation Steps

1. Loosen the strings slightly to relieve tension if needed, but do not fully remove them.
2. Position the VT-700 transducer element between the bridge and tailpiece per manufacturer instructions (confirm exact position before securing).
3. Route the lead wire toward the lower bout of the violin to where the Carpenter jack will be mounted.
4. Mount the 1/4" female Carpenter jack in the desired external location (commonly the tailpiece or endpin area).
5. Connect the lead wire to the jack and secure all connections.
6. Re-tune and test the output signal with an amplifier or preamp.

When to Seek Professional Help

• You are unsure about the mounting position and want to avoid bridge or top damage
• The Carpenter jack requires drilling or permanent modification to the instrument
• You are performing this on a fine or valuable instrument
• The lead wire does not reach the jack location comfortably

A violin or string instrument technician (luthier) can install this quickly and safely, especially on higher-value instruments.

Preamp Requirements

A preamp is optional but suggested for the VT-700. Running directly into a standard 1/4" input is possible, but a preamp will improve signal strength, impedance matching, and overall tonal clarity. The VT-700 is passive and compatible with most acoustic instrument preamps.

Compatibility Table