First of all, I get a bit worried when I hear people staring to "rule out" some things, such as certain dynamics or types of vibrato etc. In my view this product would be far too important to become limited in any way if it's not absolutely necessary.
For example, if FF or a very heavy vibrato is needed, why should one not be able to achieve this? Seems to me this is one of the (if not the) major points of the VI flexibility and controllability - to be able to achieve pretty much whatever sound you like.
Just look at what is problematic to achieve with the current VSL Violins, and you will pretty much know what most of us seem to hope for in the Epic ones. I don't think one thing has to rule out another...you can have a warm bottom and yet have silky air, you can have vibrato and yet be light and you can have mp, mf and ff alike...and with the new VI concept this flexibility betwen many alternatives is possible perhaps more than ever.
On the subject of sections, I must confess that I also find the 1st and 2nd Violin concept tempting. With the original VSL Violins, one can always invest in the Chamber Strings for smaller section sounds (divisi etc) if one thinks it's important. However, no such option would exist if the Epic Violins are made as one single large section as I doubt that the Chamber Strings would fit this task.
Like many pointed out already, the Epic Violins would arguably for many be one of the most important VSL instrument releases in a long time (with the exception of the VI concept of course), but I also believe Herb and the team realises this...or else he would not have asked us our opinions in this manner. This is of course a fantastic opportunity for all to give their views, and I'm sure it's immensly appreciated by all that Herb takes his time to listen to us.
IMO, if the Epic Violins turn out well, then there is no limit for the potential. Follow-up products like Epic Violas, Epic Cellos, Epic Basses and in the end perhaps even a complete Epic Strings package containing the lot could prove to be extremely popular, since people would probably after having Epic Violins feel the need to upgrade the rest of their string sections to the "Epic sound".
Again, at risk of being completely out of line in suggesting this, an idea occured to me:
After all the talk about "Epic" and comparisons to the Epic Horn instrument, how about bringing in the same person VSL used on Epic Horns to consult on the Epic Violins...namely Thomas J?
I don't know about the others here, but I for one was extremely happy with the way the Epic Horns turned out and I would have full confidence in Thomas and his views what an Epic Violins library should sound like.
I'm not saying I don't have full confidence for Herb and the VSL team as well, it just seems to me that they brought Thomas in for assisting on an Epic library once before and the result (at least IMO) was excellent. It also seems to me that what most of us wish for in the Epic Violins is something that is "right up Thomas' alley" so to speak.
Sorry, if I'm completely out of line with this, but I'm just toying with the thought that's all.
R