Stentor I 1102/E Student Cello

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

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Advantages: I love it
Disadvantages: size and cost of lessons music extra

...I remember to this day how I took up the 'cello, I was at a junior school in Staffordshire and I was asked if I wanted to take up the 'cello, this seemed like an excellent idea to a 6 year old, my sister played the violin so why not out do her!! For anyone who doesn't know what a 'cello is I am sickened by you but still I will explain; it is the second largest member of the string family, often described as a big violin. To me it is a gorgeous wooden instrument, it has 4 strings (A, D, G and C) and is played with a bow (long stick with horse hair attached at both ends, used for sword fighting with in the early days of playing) In the early days it was a bit of a pain, as a six year old I had to get my mum to move it everywhere for me, (fear of breaking and due to the size) I hated playing it, practise would end with hours of rows... Read review

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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