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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My son has been learning to play violin at school for about 4 years now. He's had a beginner's violin that was pretty basic and he wanted to go on to something a bit further up the scale. He asked for this one as it was recommended by his tutor and it does have a lovely sound to it. He finds it easy to tune, and the quality is lovely. The case is extremely robust and it is lovely instead. Lovely instrument that won't break the bank.

Schönes Instrument und als Anfänger-/ Ausprobierinstrument absolut ausreichend. Ohne größere Schwierigkeiten konnte ich sie selbst stimmen und auch gescheite Töne raus bekommen. Habe natürlich keine Vergleichsinstrumente, aber ich finde sie gut.

I am a violin teacher. Love these Stentors. Very good quality. Can take trainable amount of abuse from a kid. Warning! These instruments need a setup. Do not try to tune it and play it if you are not a professional violinist. Take it to a pro or a teacher for the setup first. You can damage it if you don't know what you are doing. For those who are beginners... there is a little sick inside (sound post) that sometimes moves from its original positron during shipping. It must be in the right place before you tighten the strings. Otherwise the bridge can damage the upper deck and your money will be waisted. The bow needs to be rosined well first time too. Let a pro do it.

Questo è il secondo violino, per mio figlio. Rispetto al primo (più piccolo, da studio, della stessa fascia di mercato) questo è decisamente migliore. Il suono risulta molto forte e profondo, decisamente pulito e preciso, per essere un violino da studio. Rispetto ad altri che ho sentito, è meno soffocato, più brillante e gradevole. La fattura sembra di buon livello: il legno ha un bel colore brillante e finitura lucida. L'accordatura si esegue facilmente e viene mantenuta per tutta la durata dello studio. L'archetto ha il giusto peso ed è costruito correttamente. Permette la regolazione della tensione dei crini. La dotazione è completa: custodia di buona fattura, pece con coperchio Mi sentirei di dire che questo sia il miglior violino da studio, tra quelli che ho visto/sentito. Peccato solo che... serva saperlo suonare! 👇🏻 Spero che la mia recensione ti sia stata UTILE!

Stentor Student II è già di per sé un prodotto consigliato da molti maestri come violino per iniziare, ed io non posso che confermare. Il violino arriva contenuto nella sua custodia, anch'essa ottima considerato il prezzo, dotata di tasca piccola frontale, ideale per accessori quali poggiaspalla o altro, e una tasca grande, adatta a contenere libri o spartiti. All'interno, oltre al violino, coperto con una protezione sintetica, troviamo la cinghia tracolla per la custodia, l'archetto, e la pece, contenuta nell'apposito vano. Quando si acquista uno strumento ad arco, il più delle volte arriva ancora da preparare: le corde sono lente, ed il ponte deve essere installato. In questo caso invece il venditore, Reidy's Home of Music, invia il violino già preparato e pronto per l'uso (ovviamente, dopo l'accordatura, e dopo aver dato una passata di pece sull'archetto). La spedizione, anche con Prime, impiega qualche giorno in più rispetto ad altri prodotti, ma questione di un totale di 4 o 5 giorni al massimo, e direi che il prodotto vale l'attesa. Infatti lo sto utilizzando da qualche settimana, così come è arrivato, e sta risultando più che sufficiente per chi si avvicina per la prima volta allo strumento. L'accordatura non è risultata particolarmente difficile, con l'utilizzo di una applicazione gratuita tra le tante disponibili sugli app store dei cellulari, ed anche per le sessioni successive risulta mantenere piuttosto bene l'accordatura. Come prossimi passi, intendo provare a cambiare la pece, e successivamente le corde, poiché ho letto che in entrambi i casi si ottiene un buon miglioramento a livello qualitativo, ma per adesso non posso confermare che lo studio procede, con buona soddisfazione, con il prodotto così come è arrivato, senza spendere altro. Pienamente soddisfatto.

Me ha encantado. Para empezar el vendedor ha sido tremendamente atento, nunca jamás había recibido este nivel de atención por el envío y cuidado del producto. Y ya cuando lo recibí… me enamoré. Es mi primer violín porque soy principiante y para mi toda esta experiencia que comienza por la adquisición del instrumento es muy importante. Muchas gracias y recomendable totalmente.