I bought an electric violin to start learning, so I didn't have to have a loud acoustic one and annoy all the neighbours and drive my housemates mad, which this violin is great for.
However, the tone is not very good, and the build quality is poor. The tailpiece ended up buckling on me after a month. it is attached by a plastic cable that I had to glue back on, and I have to take care that it doesn't break again, in my face.
Being able to plug headphones directly into it is a bonus, and it is really quite quiet, which is nice. The fingerboard doesn't feel quite the same as an acoustic violin however.
Recommended as a learning, or quiet practise tool only.