This is an electric viola. Please note that it is not a violin, nor is it a Yamaha Silent Series instrument. It's a no-brand item I personally imported from China about 8 years ago for around $500. I've primarily used it for quiet practice in a house with thin walls. I'm unsure if the pickups are working, and I don't have any equipment like an amplifier to test it, so I'm selling it as junk. I think it should be fine for practice in environments where it's difficult to make loud noises, such as apartment buildings. It has many scratches and shows signs of use, so please refrain from purchasing if you are sensitive to such things. It will be shipped in a spare case.