I play violin in a band, and we’re pretty loud. Not hugely rock, but perhaps ‘Death Cab For Cutie squally bits’ loud. I struggle to be heard over two guitars, electric piano, bass and drums. So far I have tried playing into a mic, and a £20 pick-up you stick under the bridge (plugged into the PA), and neither are particularly effective.

I need volume more than anything, rather than tone. A lot of internet reviews are difficult, because they’re people recommending things for playing in folk bands (which doesn’t need to be as loud as I need) or classical musicians complaining about terrible sound (which probably won’t be noticeable to your average person).

I’ve got up to £150 to spend, so I’m considering two different options:

1) Electric violin like this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Electric-Violin-Outfit-Package-in-Metallic-Black_W0QQitemZ200428584847QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item2eaa797f8f

Looks cool, and would be less worrying to carry around everywhere than my real violin, but does it go really loud?

2) Pick-ups like this one: http://www.headwayelectronics.com/acoustic_pickups_violin.htm

Would this work, be loud enough and not too feedbacky? I don’t want one that replaces the bridge or has to be permanently attached to the violin in some way, because I play in an orchestra and I don’t want to wreck my violin for that.

Any suggestions?