I figured since i just submitted my review of this violin to fiddlershop i should also post a review here.

I bought the Holstein Amati violin almost 1 month ago, i've had it for around 3 weeks and played it almost every day since it arrived.  I've been chewing over which violin to upgrade to for months; it was a choice between one of the GCV replicas to be honest, i had picked either the Cannone or the Kreisler.  I watched videos of both of these violin and read reviews and looked up everything i could about the company.  All i was waiting for was my tax return money to come in and i could finally make my decision.  During the wait i came across a video of Pierre playing the Holstein Amati on youtube, the sound instantly drew me in, it had the look of the kreisler and the rich sound of the Canonne all in one violin.  I could only find 2 videos of this violin and no reviews so i was kind of scared to pull the trigger on it with so little information.

I have to say, i'm incredibly glad i did.  I followed my first gut reaction when i heard it being played and ordered one from fiddlershop.  I had them change out the chin rest for a side attached SAS rest and had rosewood fittings added.  Like i say, i've had it 3 weeks but so far it's lovely.  The sound projection is amazing, the quality of the tone is something i didn't expect from a brand new violin.  I'd always heard new violins had a break in period and if this is what a violin sounds like while it's breaking in i can't wait to hear it once it's all mature.  

Oddly one of the things i love about it is the smell, it might sound a little strange, but the old suzuki violin i also have has this old and musty smell.  It was so bad when i first got it that i had to throw out the case it came in.  The Amati smells like new wood, it makes me smile everytime i open the case and i don't smell musty old wood.

I don't have many photos of it yet because i've been too busy playing it to take photos but i'll try to take some more tomorrow and upload them later in the week.  

As a lot of people here already know dealing with fiddlershop is a joy, they are so accommodating and always willing to help.  For me, buying an instrument online always felt slightly hit or miss; my suzuki turned up with no chin rest and in need of more than a few repairs before it was playable.  The fact that this violin turned up, perfectly packaged in it's new case and ready to play with only minor tuning still amazes me.