I couldn't resist this:

Subject: RE: A Brave New World!
From: Ptarmigan - PM
Date: 08 Feb 09 - 11:21 AM

Aye, but could you get a tune out of a Wheatstone Bridge?

Is there a modern Midi version of the Wheatstone Bridge?

Have a look at the Hyperbow! This uses strain gauges arranged in a Wheatstone Bridge circuit to sense the strain in a violin bow as part of the input to a electronic musical interface. More details for the brave here: PDF link (77kB)

To answer the original question though - if they were to exclusively replace acoustic instruments then yes, I'd weep. But, if used in their own right, by creative musicians, I really don't have a problem. But then I've been known to like "unreal" R&R music too!

Cheers,

Pete.