Stentor Conservatoire Violin Outfit - 4/4 Size

I've been playing the violin/fiddle for a few years now and was heartbroken when my original instrument had to go in for repair. Well, she was born in 1887 so she was needing a bit of a tweek. In the meantime I had to have something to keep practicing on and so I bought this outfit with no great expectations of a good sound but only that I would be able to keep it tuned. In the event, this violin has an amazing warmth and a responsive resonance and I am just so pleased I could hardly wait to tell everyone. It arrived when it was promised and delivered by the carrier as stated. It was in perfect playing condition except that it needed to be tuned which took all of 5 minutes. If you are considering a first violin, this is such good value for money. Get an electronic tuner at the same time because as a newbie it'll save you time. Just to be on the safe side, get a spare set of strings just in case because nothing is more frustrating than being unable to play because you're short of a string.

Received violin only a few days ago so it needs some playing for it to settle down. It has good sound projection and easy to play. Ideal for Learning on and beyond. Slightly better than graduate model which I have, but not a great lot in my opinion but give it time, and some playing and it might be the winner. On the whole, a well made instrument and I am happy with it.

Let me start by saying the violin itself is fantastic. The delivery was very quick, a good few days quicker than expected. The state of the instrument when it arrived though, was beyond a joke. They say in the description that a full setup is provided, they're either tripping or lying. When it arrived, the e string was so loose, it was hanging off the side of the instrument. Every peg was slipping when I tried to tune them, this was down to the poor manner in which the strings were strung. After I took it to a specialist Violin shop, following the bridge snapping, they also moved the sound post to the correct position. A trip to a violin store, a proper setup done and half a day later. I'm now pleased to say the instrument is playable... Finally. Avoid this shop like the plague, but definitely purchase the violin.

The violin is well made, nice detail and finish, looks good. Comes already set up and gives you confidence straight out of the box. It does need tuning and a digital tuner is pretty essential if you want to do that yourself. I got an Eno ET-3000 Clip on Guitar Tuner Guitar / Violin / Bass / Chromatic Tuner and found it excellent. If you're a singer you can even use it to check you're getting the right notes. A friend with a mighty expensive violin tells me it sounds very good for the price (when played by her!) It comes with a very nice carry case, bow and rosin. Would highly recommend this for a beginner/ intermediate student. Even a complete beginner like me can get some nice sounds from it (sometimes!) Delivery was quick, packaging very good.

The Stentor Conservatoire violin outfit is excellent quality for money. The main body of the violin has a finished varnish and looks good when clean. The bow is fantastic quality, a nice hold. However, the leather, I found, has started peeling off. The rosin is dark and has a nice strong sound, but not overpowering and the only bad thing about it is that it can be quite dusty and the violin needs frequent cleaning. The case itself is okay if not a little hard. The straps can be uncomfortable, but it is light. Overall, it is a good instrument and I recommend it to anyone around the earlier grades (it can be used later though).

I received it in an excellent condition, but it would be even better if the strings are already tuned. I needed some effort tuning up before each string gives the right notes.

Excellent quality and my son loves it.

Having been apart from the fiddle for a few years I returned to this one to check I still enjoyed playing. Utterly perfect for a “return to warm tone playing” via a bit of screeching. Very very happy with purchase.