About STRIKELL

STRIKELL was founded in 2019 from a personal pursuit that evolved into a brand.

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Johnny Keller, violinist and composer, began by designing a violin for himself, driven by the need to create an instrument that responded to his playing style and sonic vision. During this process, he delved deeply into the world of lutherie and the structural design of the instrument.

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After developing his first violin, and encouraged by the trust and support of an investor and friend who believed in the project, he decided to formally establish the STRIKELL brand.

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This led to the creation of the Organic line, composed of four models featuring proprietary architecture, neck-through construction, and a contemporary visual identity applied to the electric violin.

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But the development did not stop at the instrument itself.

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When amplifying his violin, a specific technical question arose:
Why did the violin’s sound vary so much depending on where and how it was connected?

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The signal changed depending on the equipment used, the input impedance, system equalization, and connection type. In the pursuit of greater stability and a more faithful amplified version of the violin’s true sound, Johnny discovered that no tools were designed specifically for the violin’s behavior.

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Most available solutions were designed primarily for guitar or bass. They did not account for:

• The characteristic impedance of piezo systems used by violinists

• The violin’s natural frequency range

• The instrument’s dynamic response and sensitivity

• The specific behavior of piezo or contact microphones

From this need, the PreVamp was born — a preamplifier and equalizer designed for:

• Electric violins with piezo systems

• Acoustic violins amplified with piezo or contact microphones

Developed in collaboration with VZTC, fellow pedal manufacturers, the goal was clear: to create a tool built from the real experience of a violinist, aimed at providing stability, tonal control, and consistent sound regardless of where the instrument is connected.

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The evolution continued with a new challenge: designing a lighter, ergonomically balanced electric violin for musicians seeking to explore the electric world without losing the weight and feel of their acoustic instrument.

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This led to the ARQ line, a structural concept integrating wood and metal, combining applied engineering, contemporary design, and comfort.

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STRIKELL was not born as a commercial idea.
It emerged as a response to real needs of violinists.

It is the result of a constant search to improve the musician’s experience — from the instrument’s structure to its amplification.

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STRIKELL is applied design for the violin.
It is technical development with musical identity.
It is evolution with purpose.