I would like to know an answer too... my girlfriend is a pro violinist and she'd like to play a bit with an electric one.
In the Brussels Conservatory I went to we had a Taiwanese violin player that took lessons there. He played an acoustic with a magnetic pickup mostly but had a handmade 5string electric too. some Belgian manufacturer, don't know who.
Quite pricy though, +2,000$
Yamaha has starters models for a bit under $1k
(I don't like Bond or Mae though, too commercial and not top players...but they have some great talents (.) (.) )
If you have a spare violin (or a cheap one you can cannabilize) you can build your own.
My brother built his own, and I like the sound of it. If you are interested here is an audio sample: http://www.nowhereradio.com/tmixstudio/singles
check out the song Rainy Day. It is a little more exposed there.
If you like that kind of sound I will find out what type of piezo bridge he is using etc and let you know.
Track down our resident professional fiddle player here.....DavidK.........he can give you some excellent advice. Also have a look at the following site, as I think David uses one of this guys violins.
