Which violin for Grade 3

[London7474]

Hi,

My daughter is grade 3 violin and meeds 1/2 size violin.

I would like a good violin with an excellent sound and a good bow too.

I found few but not sure if they are good and which one to buy.

See below:

https://caswells-strings.co.uk/product/stohr-novara-1-2-violin-outfit/

https://caswells-strings.co.uk/product/stohr-cortona-1-2-violin-outfit/

https://caswells-strings.co.uk/product/vivente-violin-outfit/

https://caswells-strings.co.uk/product/stentor-conservatoire-violin-outfit/

The most important thing is to get it 'set up' by a professional. Caswells used to do this.

They can plane the fingerboard, make sure the strings sit correctly, that the pegs work and the bridge is the correct height (or put a proper one on)

That will make the most difference.

DS has the Stentor Graduate which he got for G3 and is still using for G6.

It's a good instrument, only needed one repair for a broken chin rest (a drop on the floor 😓 took the opportunity to replace the plastic with ebony).

The luthier that did the repair said it's a good fiddle, he thought it was perfect for intermediate+ players. DS tutor also thinks it's good, might just upgrade the strings for G6-8.

www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/Stentor-Graduate-Violin-Outfit-1-2/UQN

Where are you based OP? If you can give us a rough area someone may be able to recommend a decent music shop as it is usually better to go and try instruments if at all possible. A good one may also have a number of secondhand instruments taken in part exchange as customers upgrade/get the next size up. FWIW my daughter went from a basic Stentor 1/4 for grade 1 to a half size Zeller for grade 2/3 and then a 3/4 mediofino (an antique make but readily available) up to Grade 5 and a 1920s English full size thereafter. Her favourite was the mediofino and she held out for the same make for her viola.

One point to remember is that the qualit of the bow is also important - I think Caswells stock carbondix which my DD and all her teachers have really rated - some of them have carbondix spares.

Thank you for the bow advice.
( carbondix) some are at £94.50, £115 and £365.

Not sure which one. Definitely not £365. Too expensive and my Daughter is only a grade 3 but again I want her to have a good quality violin with an excellent sound

Still no one has made any suggestions on the list of violin above

DS plays cello so not quite the same but upgrading strings can give a great quality enhancement at a much cheaper price than upgrading the instrument.
How long will your DD need her half size?

My point is that the cheaper violins are muchb the same. I can't speak for exactly those, but a good luthier will make a massive difference to any of them. Try not to get one that is too heavy.

Whereabouts are you?

If you have a 'proper' violin shop near you, they might have some second hand, ready set up violins available to try and then buy. This is much more cost effective. They might have been precessionally set up as well

Her violin is small now. Its time to upgrade and her teacher said she needs 1/2.

Good violin shops will have all sizes - including the small. Often ones that people have part exchanged.

I'm going to assume from your user name that you live in or near London. So I would suggest paying a visit to Thwaites in Watford which is very easy to et to by train from Euston to Bushey - if you book a session you can try out their range of student violins up to your budget. The staff there are very knowlegeable. They may also have some secondhand violins taken in part exchange (they are close to the Purcell School so sometimes have some nice ones).

If you can afford it, the Stentor Conservatoire is a very good instrument and will take her quite a long way. Caswells will make sure that it is properly set up. I would ask if it could be set up with Pirastro Tonica strings. They are actually cheaper than Dominants but have a much sweeter sound and last a long time.

Where you are based is important, someone can guide you to a good reasonably local luthier who will sell you a good 1/2 size violin which has been properly set up to make the best possible sound and make playing as enjoyable as possible (and easier on your ears at practice time. They will also advise in the best carbon fibre bow to use. I have one of the top of the range coda bows, find it excellent as an advanced player. If she's still enthusiastic about playing the violin when she's big enough for full size instruments, buy her that one then, it'll last her forever.

Don't buy mail order, the correct set up is incredibly important and luthiers work miracles on student instruments. It's really worth paying a bit more and buying an instrument from them

We had a horrendous experience with Caswells. I know they generally have quite a good reputation, but I would never have given them another penny of my money.