Amati Violin Shop Inc

Very careless. Went to get my instrument cleaned and they put in some random bridge they had laying around — they almost lost mine! Had to go back and ask what happened to my bridge which I had made recently in NY. This was last year– maybe they’re less careless now, but still very disappointed.

I have been a customer at Amati for about 17 years. It is a really fun shop to look around in, with violins hanging everywhere. They have always taken good care of me. We currently own two violins, a viola and a cello plus bows and cases that were all purchased from Amati.
I agree with Melody S– Dan’s comment doesn’t make much sense to me. I send new students here.

They are simply the best, particularly if you are fairly serious about your instrument. We have gone from several rent-​to-​own instruments to upgrades that should see our kids through college. I cannot imagine more knowledgeable or patient professionals than those at Amati. That said, if your child simply plans to play for a year or two and wants dozens of mass-​produced violins to choose from, this may not be the best place for you. If you want instruments that grow in size and quality as you or your child’s musicality improves, you cannot be in better hands. For the serious musician, you’ve definitely found your home shop in the Houston area for violins, violas and cellos, not to mention amazing luthiers.

Some interesting one-​star reviews here («rude snobs» and «treated me as though I were second class,» with second class appearing in 2 reviews!). People who use these terms generally broadcast their lives as a collection of caviar-​snorting, validation-​craving, legs-​on-​the-​beach-​with-​a-​yacht-​in-​the-​background-​on-​Facebook party scenes.
Since these are the types of people who feel entitled to first dibs on the Titanic’s lifeboats — who only take up a classical instrument for the associated niche status — I didn’t put much stock in these reviews when I decided to come back to this shop for some basic cello tune-​ups.
I had straight-​up left my cello in a case for 18 years, so it’s not like I’m some perfect musician. I would call their raised eyebrows on seeing the condition of my instrument well deserved. You can tell they are proud of their work here, and serious about classical stringed instruments. I don’t think it was second class treatment. I thought it was great that my old bow was «not that old… only 100 years or so.» When I came back after the repairs, they were more than friendly and chatted about old bows, instruments, and proper care tips.
You know who actually made his customers feel second class? Mr Miyagi. And I can’t think of any other fictional karate instructor I would rather trust with my instrument. So… if anything… maybe they should be ruder to people who walk into a violin shop and expect the red carpet.
Wax on… wax off…

Rude Snobs. My partner & I went in for our first time since I was a kid & we too were treated like second-​class customers. We felt like we were looked down upon, as if they assumed we were poor & couldn’t afford anything in their raggedy, dank shop. (I mean, we’re shopping for a violin… they should think about that for a minute.) We were the ONLY people there & we were treated by a fat man as if we were bothering them. Sir, you open a business to make business happen; Customers are the reason you are even there. Judging by the fact there are more negative reviews than good ones, I don’t think you’re missing anything by passing up the Amati Violin shop experience.

Go to Amati with a faculty from the Shepherd School or people who know the staff well.
Otherwise, your instrument and bow is at risk!

Deeply indebted to Mr. Shaw! Thanks so much

I bought my first and second instruments from Amati and they have a superb rent-​to-​own program and free service for their customers. Since then I have done a lot of violin shopping and haven’t found a better financing and service plan ANYWHERE. Also, they sell fine instruments and have a good trade-​in policy, which is good news for those looking for a long-​term relationship with a shop. I had a student-​level instrument from them that was vastly better than anything I’ve played since in that price range.
However, I forewent my significant credit with this shop because of several reasons. Their selection on the low/​intermediate end is poor and varies widely. Maybe they just don’t get a lot of people looking for instruments and bows under $ 2000, but they never seemed to have a good grasp on what was actually in there whenever I went in to try out new instruments/​bows. Also, on several occasions they treated me as though I were second-​class. Now I understand that they have many customers whose instruments are worth $$$$ more than mine, but considering that I doubled my investment with them while I was there, I expected a certain amount of courtesy which I did not receive. I don’t mind if a shop has certain policies or limitations, but I do not like being apprised of them in a rude manner (even when no one else was in the shop). Even if you think this is a thin-​skinned assessment on my part, consider that most shops with trade-​in policies and the like retain customers throughout their lifespan, not just for a couple of instruments. I would have been willing to maintain a relationship with them had they treated me better.
I have since bought a violin and bow worth four times my old one from a different shop that is just as small and has outstanding service and a good selection.