[FST_Gemstar]

I've been toying with a character idea that is an artist/performance adept who has an emotional attachment to a musical instrument that doubles as a weapon. My original thought was a something like a plasteel electric violin, with monofiliment or microwire bowstrings and strings on the fingerboard. Part of the idea is that unlike a street sam who is going to have trouble walking around with a katana on his back, this character can move around with a dangerous weapon a bit more freely or even be invited in with his weapon. 

I have some questions about design though. What kind of material do the non slicey parts of the instrument have to be made of to not risk getting cut up? Would the character have to wear special gloves all the time to safely play the instrument? Are cyberhands safe or need special mods to hold the instrument?  What kind of safeguards could be built in to lower the risk of other people getting unintentionally hurt by the sneaky/dangerous violin? How is it powered? For the crunch, what kind of stats would the violin have? Is it modeled after the monofiliment whip/sword?  Is it two weapons, or does the violin belly function as a shield? What skill would be used for the device (two seperate? performance for the musical side and exotic melee for the combat?) What should it be priced at?

I'd really love to hear some ideas from folks about this, especially folks who have designed custom gear in 5th or previous editions. Thanks guys!

[Triskavanski]

I think Micro-wire would be terrible for the base instrument itself. The sound of stringged instruments is largely dependent on the thickness of the string.

I'd go with the monofiliment sword.

This is kinda what you've got to work with there. http://www.violorama.co.uk/images/bows/VNTB1/transitional-violin-bow-tip-hair2.jpg

You could possibly slip a micro wire within that, maybe even loosen the hairs themselves just slightly so when pressed against something the wire is still taunt.

[Rooks]

And use rappeling gloves so your hands dont get cut up

[Triskavanski]

Well, if you're playing the violin right, You shouldn't be touching the string of the bow at all.

[FST_Gemstar]

I just had images of some jerk fan coming up to touch the violin or bow and slicing his hand open.  Kind of ruins the act. But yes, in concept, this character is skilled enough to hold the frog of the bow properly while playing a violin to not get hurt. Holding it as a weapon may take some more finesse or mods. I'm just trying to think of a fair way to price/stat the weapon to not be a cheap sword substitute. I want it to not be recognized as a weapon so it should have some concealability modifier to not be assessed as dangerous. This might also risk unintentional injury if the violin gets into the wrong hands.  It should probably have less of a damage value than a sword, as it won't have the weight behind it, and maybe a smaller reach (dagger range). It might be more accurate as it is easier to maneuver/lighter than a sword.

Stats draft for Bow below.
AC: 7
Reach: -
DV: (STR+1)P
AP: -3
Avail: ?
Cost: ?
Note: -6 Concealability modifier to visually perceiving the the bow as a weapon. Obviously, touching the string will make the weapon apparent as such.

What about the Violin belly? Can it be weaponized or used a shield without risking too much damage to it?

[Rooks]

well there is the Victorinox Memory blade
uses smartsteel technology to provide a flexible material that can be commanded to stiffen and form a blade sword 1500 dagger is 1250 avail is 14R

[I_AM_ZHOUL!!!]

When I saw the title for this thread I got all excited thinking it would be some kind of Sonic Weaponry like in Warhammer 40k Black Crusade. That's a "musical weapon" I would want to use!!!!