I personally bought my yamaha silent electric violin for $550 brand new.I like it a lot and I think it's priced right.It's probably the best instrument in its price category.But if somebody's trying to sell a yamaha like this for a thousand dollars he must be out of his mind.It's just not worth it.
As far as other brands go,I don't know,man...They all suck pretty bad(if we're still talking about the instruments from under $1000 category).Fenders are just horrible.Get yourself a yamaha(for under $600) and live happily ever after :xyxwave: