I play strings. Lots and lots of strings. I focus on electric instruments for the most part but I do own a really nice acoustic violin. Kind of hard to play hard rock or metal on an acoustic violin. The five-string electric is much more suited to that.
Sadly all of my playing has to be routed electronically due to my living situation (lack of space, nosy neighbors). I only have a single amp, a tiny Roland Micro Cube, and none of the really fun gear. I use digital gear simulation and headphones when playing for the most part but I will be the first to admit that it doesn't sound very good at all. Every time I walk into a music store and hear somebody shredding on an actual amp I think, "someday..."