In November 2013, electric violin group FUSE unveiled a set of 24-carat gold violins worth $2 million each–the world’s first gold violins. The violins were the product of the group’s collaboration with esteemed jewelry designer Theo Fennell and bespoke violin maker Bridge. The golden instruments’ heads are also adorned with rubies, sapphires, and diamond encrusted skulls as a nod to the violin group’s rock and roll style and influences. In order to make the 24-caret gold violins light enough to play, a unique blend of carbon fiber and kevlar was used to offset the weight of the gold plating. Insured for millions of dollars, the stunning electric violins took over nine month to create and and were initially unveiled at Theo Fennell’s London, England store before they were taken on tour throughout North America and Asia. The electric violin duo previously worked with Swarovski Crystal to create the world’s first ever crystal violins worth $1.5 million.
In the summer of 2009, FUSE became the first electric violin group to sign a major label global record deal through credible traditional channels in over a decade. Comprised of virtuoso musicians Linzi Stoppard and Ben Lee, FUSE harnessed their signature Bridge electric violins in 2010 to take popular rock and roll tracks and radically, but lovingly, reinterpret them on their eponymous debut album. Linzi Stoppard, both a musician and a model, has played classical violin since the age of four when she attended the prestigious Suzuki Violin School. Previously the vocalist and electric violinist for Tattoo of Pain, Stoppard–who is the daughter-in-law of Academy Award-winning playwright Sir Tom Stoppard–built up a reputation as a solo electric violinist before teaming up with Lee to form FUSE. Ben Lee, one of the world’s most innovative and exciting electric violinists, was in a number of bands and string acts before forming FUSE. Lee is also the five-time world record holder for the fastest violinist and in 2011, insured his “fastest fingers in the world” for $4.7 million.
For more information on FUSE, including videos, music, and tour dates, visit the band’s official website, fuseofficial.com, and YouTube channel, youtube.com/fusemusicuk.
Photo by fuseofficial.com
Photo by mirror.co.uk
