Ted Brewer’s Vivo² Violins Hit a High Note with Stunning Color Effects, Courtesy of GE’s Lexan* Visualfx* Resin

BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS, — July 3, 2006 — Crystal blue, rich violet, and water-clear polycarbonate (PC) with a touch of diamond sparkle – these are not your traditional violins. Crafted by Ted Brewer, an established U.K. designer of transparent violins, the ultramodern Vivo² line features GE Plastics’ Lexan* Visualfx* special effects resin for stunning visual impact combined with high performance. Ted, who originally hand-carved his instruments from acrylic block, turned to GE Plastics when increasing market demand prompted a move to injection molding. GE Plastics color experts helped Ted turn his vision for the Vivo² into an eye-catching reality.

According to Ted, GE Plastics provided both the material and expertise that Brewer was looking for to help perfect his Vivo² design. “I tried some other suppliers, but nothing came close to GE’s Lexan Visualfx special effects resin. The outstanding quality, finish, and visual effects of our Vivo² violins are just superb. The GE team provided amazing support – they pulled out all the stops to find the exact color effects I had in mind, and shipped the material as fast as humanly possible so we could get into production quickly.” GE delivered pellet samples to the company in a 96-hour turnaround.

The Vivo² violin is manufactured with Lexan resin in three colors: blue, violet, and clear, and uses the Visualfx diamond effect. The color-matching service was provided by GE’s Customer Innovation Center (CIC) in Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands. The CIC, one of three global centers operated by the company, provides color and special effects expertise and services to customers across the entire product line. GE’s Visualfx portfolio of special effects resins can be customized with a host of special effects and color variations. In the case of the Vivo², GE specialists customized the Lexan Visualfx special effects resin to downplay the diamond effect and provide just a suggestion of sparkle. Other GE experts worked with the molder to optimize processing for an improved surface finish.

The use of transparent Lexan Visualfx special effects resin also allowed Ted Brewer Violins to incorporate a special illumination feature: the Vivo² violin has a built-in sound-to-light capability using two vertical banks of super-bright white LEDs. Light pulses along the length of the instrument to accentuate the music.

In addition to color effects, the GE resin provides the high performance and design flexibility for which it is renowned. Injection-molding the violin body instead of carving it allowed Ted Brewer Violins to create unique designs that not only are visually compelling but also deliver exceptional audio quality. The impact resistance and strength of Lexan resin provide a robust and stable violin frame.

The Vivo² violin was recently reviewed by professional musician and freelance journalist David Etheridge in Music Mart, a music equipment magazine based in the U.K. Commenting that until now, few electric violins have taken a completely revolutionary approach, Etheridge praised the Vivo² instrument’s exceptionally strong construction featuring a monocoque frame made from advanced polymers that delivers “unbeatable lightness in use.”

He added, “We've come a long way in a very short space of time with the high-tech approach to the violin. With Ted Brewer's instruments, you've got eye-catching good looks, a superb sound from a responsive instrument, easy controls and features, and your own personal light show! What more could a 21st century violinist require?” “Ted Brewer’s Vivo² violins are a great example of the exceptional style and beauty that can be achieved with our Visualfx special effects resin portfolio,” said John Cameron, GE Plastics’ regional general manager in the U.K. “These materials offer manufacturers new ways to differentiate their products and make an unforgettable impact on the market. We’re pleased that GE expertise and technology helped create violins that combine modern materials with a classical sound.”

For more information on Ted Brewer Violins please go to www.tedbrewerviolins.com .

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