Skyinbow Ltd ~ The Workshop ~ Vidlin ~ Shetland Isles ~ ZE2 9QB ~ Scotland

Kenny Johnson started repairing instruments in the early 1980s while working with the Dreadnought Guitar Co, the sole distributors for Martin guitars in the UK. It was here that he was introduced to the then new Piezo systems developed by Larry Fishman. Kenny created the first E-violins in 1989 using adapted guitar technology retro fitted to existing Violins .  In 1992 Kenny Johnson designed the Skyinbow Pro (non Active system) and the Pro+ with a fully active preamp inc. treble, base and volume. Later the Pro was replaced by the Pro Active which had an impedance buffing preamp fitted. These instruments featured extensively in Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. The S1 Electric Violin, designed and patented by Kenny in 1997 as a more powerful stage instrument for higher volume situations, soon became the flag ship of the Skyinbow range. This instrument has been continaully refined ensuring that it has become the instrument of choice for musicians as varied as Country fiddlers like Steve Tommis and Ricky Simkins to Dance artist SKY (from Prince) and German Goth band Chamber. The playability, functionality and tone of the S1 makes it a winner. In 2003 an S1 cello was introduced and in 2004 the S1 Double Bass. In 2005 Kenny designed & patented the new Pure Acoustic Violin / Viola active pickup system which was launched at the Frankfurt Mesas 2006 attracting the attention on Top level Classical Violinists who would never previously have considered using a pickup as an option to amplify their instrument.  The latest innovation in the development of the S1 was to irradicate bow noise and introduce the new battery free system. An all new Pro is being designed to utilise this exciting technology.  Skyinbow is constantly committed to improving the options available to musicians. For the next exciting innovations watch this space...   Home