3/4. The one he has is a loaner and sounds like crap. The bridge had to be fixed and the guy that fixed it said it was crap and even he couldn't get a decent sound out of it (he would be a very experienced fiddle player).

I don't have a lot of money. In fact, ds1 has more money than I. I'm thinking if he's serious he needs to take some of his money (I will help) and get a proper violin.

help???

I'm completely clueless.

I got a good violin from our local music shop for about £170. It included a good case, bow and rosin. My music teacher says that it'll do to grade 8

does it sound good though?

I think I would make him buy his own in the circumstances. I made dd contribute towards her saxophone.

I think I would make him buy his own in the circumstances. I made dd contribute towards her saxophone.

Ds1 has a 1/2 size, cost about £85, will do him to Grade 5 or so, when he would need a new one anyway because he would need a 3/4 or full size.

It's a stentor conservatoire and I love it!

http://www.stentor-music.com/stentor%20violins.html

Ds1's is a stentor as well, but the violin shop changed the strings etc, to nice ones, the ones on it were horrid.

My ds is currently playing a loaner 1/2 size. He can borrow my 1/1 when he's taking it into school (for performances - we have lessons out of school). I wouldn't be comfortable with him taking a more expensive instrument into school.

I'm currently saving for a new cello - I have my eye & ear on a terribly lush one - mine is a cheapie and I've outgrown it.

Oooh I'm chasing you tortoise shell. I've changed the tailpiece to a wooden one and put on different strings (and those little tighteners) too.

The bow's a good one though, especially at that price.

so stentor is good?

tortoiseshell you're the music teacher tell me what's good but not expensive brand please.

Sorry, that second message was supposed to say have you considered hiring?

I enquired seeker but nothing in town or local. teacher gave ds the loan of the one he has.

Try this site www.elidatrading.co.uk/

If you give Liz a ring she will talk about what you need and any bargains that they might be carrying. They are very helpful.

As to Stentors, well upto a stentor II they are just ok. The Conservatoire is a much better violin though.

As with any violin, you really need to try it first before you buy. I think Elidatrading will send you a couple on spec to try.

Good luck

The stentors are fine for beginners I think, but the strings they come with aren't great so lots of shops will upgrade them for you. Tbh, he doesn't need a fantastic violin at his stage - an ok basic one will be fine, so you should be looking at the £80-100 price. I really wouldn't spend more than that, as he will need a full size one before he's reached the limits of the more basic one.

bramblebooks - yes, we had the adjustors put on as well (they're the bits on the tailpiece for fine tuning KM).

Have you seen this? No idea what it's like, but worth an email.

thanks for that seeker. for that price though I'd probably just buy, especially if not that expensive. plus I'm thinking shipping costs.

I had to replace a string on this violin and some of them were ££££!

so I went in the music shop today. They had stentor 3/4 for 125 euro. New set of strings (dominants?) would be another 50 euro????

That sounds reasonable - I would definitely get the better strings as it will make a real difference to the sound (and enjoyment for both of you!).

DD started with a Zeller & then a Poller Violin - both are Hungarian and her teacher said they were the cheapest make that gave a really acceptable sound. They ARE more than Stentors but are seen as the "next stage" from Chinese Violins. They look great too & hold their value for re-sale (we sold ours very quickly as they were outgrown).

about Poller violins

thanks milliways. I may wait until he's up to full size before buying pricier one.

would anyone know if I got very good strings would it make a difference to current violin? I'm not sure what make it is or what's on there now.

Dominant Strings are good.

My DDs are still young beginners but we've had 4 Stentors and they manage to get a really good sound from them.