Stentor I 1038/PE 15.5 inch Student Viola Outfit

Advantages: Potentially beautiful sound
Disadvantages: The squealy noises to start off with

...is affected. A general rule is to place the violin under then chin, upon the left shoulder, and stretch your left arm out to the side, but slightly forwards. The fingers should be able to just curl around the scroll, the ornate spiral of wood at the top of the violin. As I say this is a general rule, it's a good idea to get one fitted properly, which and good music shop should be able to help with. To help anyone who is buying online, this sizing should give you a good idea: 4/4 - 12 years and up (23 inches) 3/4 - 10 to 11 years (22 inches) 1/2 - 8 to 9 years (20 inches) 1/4 - 6 to 7 years (18 1/2 inches) 1/8 - 5 to 6 years (16 1/2 inches) 1/10 - 4 to 5 years (15 inches) 1/16 - 3 and under (14 inches) The measurements correspond to ones taken... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Good value, nice instrument
Disadvantages: Bow lets the outfit down a little

...As I discovered recently, choosing a first Violin isn’t all that easy, certainly not as easy as say a first Electric Guitar. There hundreds of makes to choose from, but the two most commonly recommended I found were Primavera and Stentor. I purchased the Stentor Conservatoire and so far I have not been disappointed in any way whatsoever. Although it is not the highest quality instrument, it is certainly good value for money and has a nice look and feel to it. Although I bought it as a beginner instrument, it is often recommended for the advancing student. Stentor does produce one or two cheaper models but I found that the quality was far less both in sound and build. I was a bit dubious over the fact that the violin is produced in China, especially as the Primavera I used had a permanent smell of super glue! However this appears a well... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great fun
Disadvantages: Very large to store and transport

...My family are all rather musical and we have acquired quite a collection of instruments over the years. For a significant anniversary I decided to buy a double bass. In his younger days my partner had played the electric bass in various bands and had always said one day he would like to have a double bass. Well now he has. ♫ ♫ What is a double bass? ♫ ♫ Well I suppose the short answer is that it looks like a giant violin, although it’s actually descended from an instrument called the viol. It dates as far back as the 16th century and is the largest and lowest sounding instrument in the string family of instruments. The other instruments in this family are the viola, the violin and the cello. No one seems quite certain where the name comes from but one theory suggests it is because the double bass... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful