The cost of importing (typically VAT and Customs fees) a ZETA Violin w/case, harmonized code 92021010 . . . varies depending on the country of import. European VAT fees range from 18% to 25%, with Customs fees up to 4%. These fees are collected from the purchaser by the government upon arrival in the foreign country. Some example VAT fees: United Kingdom-20%, Italy-22%, France-20%, Germany-19%, Ireland-23%, Netherlands-21%, Romania-24%, Malta-18%.

Go to ZETA’s Catalog (here) and find the instrument you are interested in purchasing. You can narrow your search by clicking one of the category tabs at the top of the catalog. Once you’ve found your desired model, the current lead-time for shipping is shown on the product picture (ie 3 Days). Click on the ‘More . . .’ button found at the bottom of the instrument description. This takes you to the order page where you will find further features included with the instrument as well as pictures of our ZETA case and preamp. By clicking on the product picture you can view a high resolution pic of this model (including a 2nd level of enlargement which is available by clicking in the upper left-hand corner). From there you can add the instrument to your cart and purchase using any credit card or PayPal. Shipping is free in the USA and overseas shipping (3-5 Day USPS Express) is $99.

You can check-out using Visa/MasterCard, American Express, Discover card option “Pay with Credit Card”, or you can check out using PayPal. When using PayPal you have the option of using your PayPal account, or processing your preferred bank card through PayPal, ie you don’t have to have a PayPal account to use this option. The PayPal Express option is both fast and convenient as this option allows you to bypass filling out any forms and your item is shipped to the address of your PayPal account.

If you prefer to send payment direct from your bank, you can wire transfer directly to our ‘Bank of America’ account. This is a simple process but requires you to contact us to send you the invoice for your order and provide you with our bank routing and account #. Contact Steve at ZETA Violins (scarlson@zetaviolins.com) if you would like to pay for your order with a direct bank transfer.

Additionally . . . you can use Western Union to send full or partial payment for your purchase. This is a very simple process. Send your payment in US Dollars via Western Union to: Stephen Carlson, Belgrade, Montana, USA.

The GR-55 is a Guitar/Bass Synth . . . with a factory setup to function best with those type of instruments, ie fretted and plucked. Violins are different of course . . . and so it is best to make adjustments to the unit for our instrument of choice . . . the violin. It is important to note that the below adjustments are a ‘starting point’ I have found thru experimentation. Once you make these changes and get comfortable with what does what, it is expected that you will further tweak and ‘dial in’ your GR-55 to suit your specific instrument and style of playing.

(Note: The GR-55 is extremely versatile and complex. It is highly recommended you read the manual and get familiar with everything you can do with it and how to change those things you may want to change. There is no substitute for spending time doing this. There are many exemplary videos online where you can see the versatility and potential of this unit. Exiting from the setup screen saves your changes)

1. Set your Gr-55 for Guitar (page 9, manual)
2. Give your new settings a Name: Edit, arrow to GK Settings-Enter, then Enter and put in name, I use ZETA . . . press exit, exit to save
3. Change the Pick-Up type: Edit, GK Settings-Enter, page to PU tab, arrow down to ‘PU Type’ – scroll to PIEZO R
4. Change Scale: arrow down to ‘Scale’ – scroll to 500 mm
5. Change Distance: page over to DIS . . . arrow down and change each string to 10 mm (book says this is not used if PIEZO, but I do it anyway)
6. Change Sensitivity: page over to SEN . . . arrow down and change each string to 20 . . . this you can play with to suit you
7. Change Velocity: page over to VEL . . . arrow down and change, Velocity Dynamics to 7, Play Feel to 3, Low Velocity Cut to 5 (these you will play with to see the differences they make in your triggering, etc.
8. Change Nuance Dynamics: Nuance Dynamics to 0, Nuance Trim to 1 (you will definitely play with these to suit you)
9. Optional . . . Turn Chromatic On: from Main screen, Edit, arrow over to MIDI/USB-Enter, Page over to GTR-MIDI, arrow down to Chromatic-scroll to On (this you should also play with to decide what you like)

From just these few changes you can see there are lots of subtle (and some not so subtle) possibilities available. So read the manual, watch a lot of instructional videos . . . and have fun with your ZETA and the GR-55!

Some Patches I enjoy using, Ref: USER

LP +Stack 45-2, Legato Solo 37-1, Oboe 92-1, Rich Strings 34-2, Pan Flute 98-1, Flute Solo 35-1, Nice Tenor 34-1, Strange Whistle 43-1, Acoustic Bass under Rhythm 29-2, Marimba 89-2, Moody Sax 95-1, Tap Dance Guitar 28-3, Kalimba Pad 19-2, Pipe Organ 79-2, Scat & Guitar 46-3

I move these sounds: Scroll to User 01-01, Write, Page to Exchange, Scroll to desired sound, Write. . . . So all of the above sounds (for me) are located in User Patch 01-1 to 05-3. For performance purposes you would align sounds next to each other for easy access using pedals 1-3 of the GR-55.

(Check back as I will update as I find other settings of interest)

We use the term ‘Reissue’ to refer to Fusion body style instruments made with a double edge around the entire body. This style of body was a key feature of the original ZETA Jazz violins. In addition, as part of the ‘Reissue’ project . . . ZETA also reintroduced our original ‘Imbus’ neck, a ’92 JLP Jazz Reissue preamp, and the Signature ‘Jean-Luc Ponty’ model Jazz Violin. All ZETA Jazz bridge instruments, ie Jazz Fusion and Jazz Imbus models, come with the ’92 JLP Jazz Reissue preamp installed.

We use the term ‘Legacy’ to refer to either a Modern or Fusion body style instrument, made of basswood, with a Black, White, or Cremona finish.

ZETA’s Imbus pegs should be thought of as ‘lock-down’ pegs. They are not intended for fine tuning, but rather for ‘holding’ the pitch level of the string over a long period of time.

Fine tuning to exact pitch should be accomplished by the fine-tuners at the tailpiece. Fine-tuners should only be turned down a few turns at most, and when more ‘tuning up to correct pitch’ is necessary . . . the fine-tuners should be backed off and the ‘lock-down’ Imbus pegs then used as described below.

Proper use of the Imbus peg starts with clock-wise turning (de-tuning) and simultaneous lifting (un-seating) of the peg. With the peg free from a tight friction fit in the peghead (and the string below pitch) . . . then and only then is the string brought up to pitch (turning counter-clockwise) without any friction in the peg. [NOTE: The Imbus peg should not be ‘squeaking’ during any of its turning. If it is, then too much friction is present (ie peg is locked). Release the friction by lifting up on the peg while de-tuning.] Once at pitch the peg is then seated firmly and securely in the peg-hole. Then the fine-tuner is used to bring string to final pitch, which should take less than a full turn of the fine-tuner.

In general . . . damage to Imbus pegs comes from trying to tune up a locked peg. Not following the above procedure can damage the Imbus peg which may eventually require a replacement peg.

Early ZETA Jazz bridges use the strings to pass the ground (coming from the tailpiece) to the pickup elements in the bridge. Most ‘sound’ issues related to an individual string arise from an intermittent ground problem. To check for a grounding issue simply touch a working string to the problem string using a penny or a paper clip (behind the bridge). If the sound of the problem string comes back then you can assume the problem string has lost its ground.

A signal element (single string pickup) ground can be lost for a couple reasons . . . a bad string for instance . . . but typically it is the string to tailpiece connection. Most often the strings fine tuner is the issue. Sometimes ground is lost when the fine tuner is turned in excessively (down to far). When this is the case, the fine point of the adjustment screw has lost its contact with the pivoting piece of the fine tuner and consequently its ground connection with the body of the tailpiece . . . so start by detuning the fine tuner. In some cases simple corrosion has broken the ground connection indicating a good cleaning is in order, and possibly a little filing or scraping of the corroded surface in question.

If ‘grounding’ the string does not fix the sound problem, then the pickup element itself may be the cause. Problems at the element could be a broken signal wire or solder joint . . . or a short between the ground and signal. Beyond this the preamp would be suspect. Repairs involving any of these issues would be best resolved at our ZETA shop. Simply fill out our ‘Repairs’ form (here) describing the problem in detail. Be sure to include your phone number and full address (for return of your instrument to you) and ship your instrument to us at the ZETA shop address.

If shipping from overseas be sure to document your shipment as an item being sent for repair.