Five Stars! I'm firmly in the "try before you buy" camp. Partially because I try to be a responsible consumer, but mostly because I have trust issues. So when I started looking into upgrading my violin, I knew an in home trial was the way to go.
Unfortunately, my local options were lacking, and being Canadian is basically a disability in the world of online shopping. Enter Fiddleheads.
Rhiannon was incredibly helpful and accommodating, and even took the time to answer my emails and make arrangements when she was busy with a tour/things definitely more important than dealing with me.
I originally emailed Rhiannon asking about a couple of the Bellissma violins, but I described what I was looking for (mostly something that didn't make both me and my roommate want to die when I was playing in upper positions), and she suggested I consider her 907 model.
I ended up trialing the Bellissima Valentina and the 907. I really wanted to like the Valentina better because I'm cheap, but after a week of personal deliberation and semi-consensual blind comparison tests on various friends and family, the 907 was the obvious winner.
It just sounded clearer, warmer, and richer.
The lovely colour and finish, and the little details, like how smoothly the pegs turn, are nothing to sneeze at either.
I've had it for a while now, and it's only gotten better with time. The projection has improved, and the sound really fills the room when I'm practicing by myself.
In the upper registers, it sounds like it's singing rather than straining like my old violin. Rhiannon was kind enough to let me trial a couple bow at the same time.
It feels like this violin is a friend, and my old one was just a co-worker. Sorry for waxing poetic, but it really is a joy to play.
To sum up, fantastic customer service, and I love this violin more than I love myself.
