Holstein Workshop violins: handcrafted by one experienced luthier in our select VSA award-winning workshop. The quality of workmanship goes far beyond anything else we’ve seen in this price range. The tops are made of fine quality Italian spruce, and the back and ribs from Bosnian maple (100+ year old wood, aged and dried a minimum of 10 years). Our Holstein Workshop violins are made in various replicas and copies of violins made by the old masters, such as Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesù, Amati, and Maggini. The quality and dimensions of the wood, as well as the varnish, are copied from the originals to achieve the same tonal qualities.