I bought a pick up for my violin. But when I plug it in and play. I get a rubbing sound coming through the speakers, like the pick up is picking up the bow strokes rather than just the notes... Its sounds awfull... any idea how to fix this?

I also used Fredy2 solution. After buying and using many very expensive pickups I found the Autolycus, used as recommended, was really good. It sounds like a violin, similar to a microphone in many ways. Like a mic - you get used to the minor handling noise, not a problem in use.

Yes, and it will pickup "handling noise" as well.

A hint I can offer is to try a mute. One of the bent wire ones with weights that clips over the strings in back of the bridge..

I have found a perfect match for my wife's violin. We use an Autolycus pickup and an X2 wireless link. NOTE: the piezo pickups require a VERY high impedance input amplifier. You MUST use a very short cord or all the highs get wiped out.

We got the Autolycus from the source in New Zeeland (about $70). The fellow has a website with a sound clip. Search Google for Autolycus violin and you should find it. Do listen to the sound clip. The little piezo clips on the top where the sound post is with a plastic clip that reaches through the treble side F hole.

I had to make my own cable for the X2 wireless as it has a TRS 1/8 connector and the signal is on the ring and the tip and sleeve are ground. The Autolycus comes with an RCA jack on a pigtail. The X2 has a very high impedance input at the transmitter which is ideal for the Autolycus pickup. We use a Berhinger ACX1000 acoustic amp. It actually sounds like a violin.

Use good quality strings is important. The X2 system is a digital transmission at near CD quality.