Hehehe, you, but, I totally fell for this one...
store.musicbasics.com/vln-e30...4-4.html

Haven't tried it and probably won't, but this guy is local: www.jordanmusic.com/violin.htm

Hi Mark, if you're considering any violin and looking for a decent pickup, which is at the same time really (!) rockin' and for a PU (not mic!) very natural, have a look at
www.uli-boesking.de/rebo/
these are electromagnetic humbuckers. On the page you'll find lots of sound files and pix.

I'm just nodding concerning most of the chinese – hummm – material. But have a look, sometimes there is material, that's worth buying. One US westcoast guy sells zeta copies (company Musonic, China)
stores.ebay.com/Affordable-Instruments
look at the solifbodies with just ONE little "wing" (for allowing better position changes).
If you find anywhere an instrument WITHOUT headphones amp and battery compartment – an instrument of the Musonic "old series", then just HIT!
I have bought instruments of both series, so I can tell.
Musonic old series, blue, modified with REBO PU & onboard preamp
www.uli-boesking.de/inst_gal...01_gr.htm
and following pics.
Musonic old series, natural flamed, original, with cheap but not that bad Artec 8888 piezo transducer (korea) under the bridge
www.uli-boesking.de/inst_gal...07_gr.htm
The new series projection (angle neck to body) is too flat, you would have to change the bridge for a special one – normal bridges provided by luthiers are too high. The ergonomics (don't let me start) and electronics are develloped to the worse, the headphones amp just distorts – signal only on one ear!

Well, these days I'm preparing a surfrock project for bowed strings players in my school (I'm music and spanish college teacher in Bremen, Germany) – here come some funny sound files – violins, viola & cello played with REBO PU through a Fender Blues Junior
www.uli-boesking.de/surfinbela/sound.htm

oops – gotta go to bed – first schoolday tomorrow & I have to prepare lessons!
Uli

sorry – once more: this
store.musicbasics.com/vln-e30...4-4.html
is a chinese instrument from company Feng Ling. Body is OK – apart from the fact, that it ain't got rims on its ribs – a normal shoulderrest will slip off easily (I tried it in Frankfurt two ? years ago). Transducer like all similar stuff Artec 8888 piezo under the bridge. It is a semiacoustic: in shape it seems solidbody, but it's hollow.

I've used a Yamaha "silent" violin for several years, sometimes under fairly harsh conditions (ie. Burning Man), and have been quite satisfied. Very playable and easily manipulated sound (via effects gear).
Here's a link:
www.musiciansfriend.com/produc...d-Model
This is also the best price I've seen for them.

I'm just a beginner on the violin, so I'm certainly not an authority of what's good and what's not. For what it's worth, this is the one I have:
www.tylermountain.com/electri...ins.html
www.gainesvilleviolins.com/elec...c.htm

As you see, this model is being sold under different names and in fact, mine was resold under yet another name (couldn't find that one online though). Note that I paid less than what's listed on these web sites, more like $400 in a very rough conversion German Marks from back then to USD today.

So far, I'm happy with it. Unlike cheaper Chinese models, it's fully wooden (including the chin rest and bow), comes with a comfy shoulder rest and appears to be well-crafted. I will put on thicker strings though, and you will need an external amplifier if you want to play with headphones.

I'm not sure but electric violins always sounded worse than a violin with a microphone to me. Even Apocalyptica use special microphones or vibration analyzers for cellos in concerts. However, I've never played a violin in a rock band or a noisy environment. Does it work better that way?

Hi, I am not sure, but believe Zeta is located in the eastbay.
You can play with a stack of marshalls and get no feedback.