Okay here's the deal. I know absolutely NOTHING about electric violins. Except I want one. I am a beginner, but I want a really good one because I plan to dedicate myself, and I don't want to buy a new one again when I get good :P So yeah does anyone know good kinds and how much they cost?

i would suggest rigging a pick up too. you will still have an acoustic violin and can spend money on a guitar pedal to get all of the sound affects. Yamaha make good electric violins, and much like a normal violin the more it costs, typically the better it is. in the case of an electric you don't have to worry about the body as such but about the quality of the pick ups and whether the body will still resonate (how a normal violin makes noise)
shop around.
i think generally the higher the quality and the more pickups the better it is. correct me if im wrong though.

lol..I got myself an electric violin for 30€ in roman flea market
not the best quality tho i must say.
its also my first violin, and i bought it mostley cos of how good value it is.
I then decid to teach myself and have done my grade one after about a month an a half.
violin is suprisingly easy as a second instrument. Alot easier than ppl think usually.
I strongley suggest starting.The sooner the beter

umm yeah this is actually my 4th.... I've been playing guitar for about 3 years so I'd like to think that counts for something :P

Alright, here's a more helpful summary. Electric violins can be bought under a thousand dollars. Be aware, though. Don't get one off of ebay whatever you do. Don't buy a Yamaha. Although they sound ok, they were originally designed for practice and if you turn them up loud, you will discover a terrible hiss. I've been using a Fender. It was $500 which is what you would have to pay for a decent acoustic. I got it at the Electric Violin Shop, So it was set up there, which is better than straight from the factory. If you have $1000 or better to blow, then get back with me. But if your like me, and live in an apartment, electric is better for practicing quietly, also, it is not harder, but actually easier to play on an electric because a solid body cancels out body noise and feedback at high volumes, which is what you would run into with the ever-popular pickup. Use of a preamp can warm up the tone, and pedals work like a charm with it. Go to www.myspace.com/outlawfiddlinman
I have recorded the fender with and without effects. I hope this is helpful to you. Don't be afraid to go electric.

Hi

Eight years ago I began researching into adding electric violin performances to my acoustic violin performances. The end result was I selected a John Jordan Electric Violin and use a Digitech GNX1 Guitar Synthesizer and a Trave Elliott TA-50R Acoustic Guitar Amplifier. On the Jordan electric violin website is a web page listed below that discuses types of violins he makes as well as options for amplifiers and violin bows.

Jordan Electric violin may be viewed on this website:

http://www.jordanmusic.com/violin.htm

Digitech Guitar Synthesizers can be viewed on their website at:

http://www.digitech.com/products/categories/MultiEffects.php

It's not very helpful... but this is absolutley awesome!
Watch it!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MKxZfGmR3vE
(Electric Violins- How its Made)