Graduate

Having not played a violin for over 30 years, I was very undecided between buying the Stentor 1 or Stentor 2 student violin, as there appeared to be very little discernible difference between them both, other than 1 being cheaper than 2. I didn't want to spend out on a more expensive violin to begin with, until I was sure I wanted to continue playing longer term. The Stentor 1 or 2 was what was recommended by a number of reviewers, plus the Online Piano & Violin Tutor on You Tube, who's lessons I've been using to teach myself during the lockdown. In the end I settled on the Stentor 2, as I felt that the music played in all of the videos using the Stentor 2, sounded slightly smoother and a richer in tone, than when played on the Stentor 1. Violins can sometimes sound like a bag of screeching cats to begin with, so for both our families sake, and that of our neighbours, I felt the less scratchy the better, and I have in deed found this violin to be much smoother and nicer sounding than the rubbish one I had back in school. We found the violin tuned up very well, first time around. I asked my more musically experienced other half to tune it for me, so as to make sure I was starting out with the correct notes. He used an online violin tuning video and his musical ear, and didn't have any trouble or break any strings - apparently the trick is small, slow and steady turns, and to use the fine tuners, so as not to put too much strain on the strings! I think spare strings would have been a good extra in the starter package, especially for the beginner, as it's quite easy to break the strings when tuning if you haven't done it before. I'll be investing in a digital tuner that attaches to the body of the violin for a more accurate tuning (D'Addario PW-CT-14 NS Micro Violin Tuner) for when I have to re-tune the violin by myself. I will also be purchasing a decent shoulder rest, at the minute I'm using a folded tea towel as padding during practice - I had forgotten how much violins can dig into your collar bone! One other thing that I will mention, is that there are better quality rosins available to buy, such as Sartori resin, which is expensive but it lasts for years. The one that comes free with this Stentor 2 violin is ok, it makes the bow work, but there are better quality rosins out there which is important for sound quality. At a later date, as I progress, I'll probably invest in a set of better quality strings - such as D'Addario Prelude 4/4 Scale Medium Tension Violin String Set, to replace the ones the violin came with, though I think they are fine to start off with. All in all, for a relatively cheap starter violin, the sound is nice, it tunes up well, it arrived quickly, and it looks good. I'm very happy with my purchase.

Amazing violin and great communication with a seller!

I decided to order the Stentor II after reading a lot of positive reviews about it online. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed in this. The build quality is brilliant, it looks stunning. It is pretty lightweight and comfortable to hold and most importantly it sounds great. The tuning is pretty easy, and it holds quite well. Not sure what grades are equivalent too; This is advised as a student violin and I have bought this to work through the Suzuki Violin Series. I am currently on book 3 now (after many, many hours of practicing on this) and this violin sounds great. I doubt I will be changing it for a very long time. It was initially a toss up between this and an electric violin for a similar price. However I would advise against the electric's (that is the budget Chinese ones). Get an acoustic for the sound alone. Granted it is very loud, but with a metal practice mute, I have had no problem playing this at early hours in the morning without waking the neighbours.

This package has everything a person needs to begin playing. It's cheap without being too cheap. Has the ebony pegs and fingerboard (ebony pegs are great as this helps the violin to stay in tune). A well made body and warm inviting finish, that is for factory standards. This instrument is serious enough to learn on, and can be made far more a serious instrument by buying dominant strings and replacing the stock ones. Also note the tailpiece can be improved as well. These adjustments however are not necessary for a complete beginner. Only after you get a feel for the violin and decide to keep playing should this investment be made.(If you have a teacher they should be able to best tell when, as everyone's ability differs from one to the next) Overall you simply cannot get this much violin for this price anywhere else. If you choose to buy, good luck and enjoy your adventure.

I'll keep this short, I waffle too much in reviews. I researched the heck out of this, the Stentor Student Violins come well recommended. I went for the slightly more expensive model version 2 as it had better features, such as a genuine rosewood fingerboard and pegs, but without spending too much to begin with. A year or so ago I purchased what they call a VSO (Violin Shaped Object) from a seller on ebay. It'd cost my £50 - there are numerous ones for similar prices so I gave it a go. Sadly though it wouldn't stay in tune, the pegs slipped, even with all the tips online to sort the pegs and winding the strings correctly. So an un-tuned instrument equaled a pointless purchase. The Stentor though is miles ahead of that old VSO and was already assembled and set up to go. The bow was also much better quality than the VSO I'd bought previously and already had resin on it. I'm still learning to get a tune out of it, but I've seen others play the same model and it sounded like a violin, and not bad at all. Check out the review from the Lady who teaches Violin and Piano on Youtube if you need further convincing.

The violin was not working properly, so I had to return it. I paid £189, but the seller deducted £33 for a cheap third-class rosin and only refunded £156. Extremely poor service and unfair handling of returns. Do not buy from this seller.

What a wonderful sounding violin! Bought for my daughter on here 8th birthday and she was really pleased with it. She's trading up from a 1/4 size to this 1/2 size and didn't have any problems adjusting. The sound is rich and full and compliments her mother's full size and more expensive violin. This is a serious instrument for not a lot of money - it's worth every penny and then some. It's also worth mentioning the case is very well designed, functions well and looks great. Certainly a great violin package and the quality of it's sound and construction will (hopefully) keep little ones motivated to develop their musical talents.

I’m an adult learner and before this violin I went for the cheapest on the market. That was a huge mistake. As a beginner, making beautiful sounds with your violin is almost imposible but having a decent violin helps a lot to fall in love with your instrument. I’m so happy with the quality and sound of my Stentor II, stays tune for much longer, it’s beautiful and the sound is much much nicer than my cheap violin. Definitely worth the investment.