Just wondered what people's opinions were? I'm getting a violin for my sister for christmas. Can't afford too much. Local luthier stock these and I know it will come very well set up from him.

What do you think? Is it an ok early intermediate instrument?

Yes it will be more than adequate, in fact I know someone who did grade 8 on one of these (though I wouldn't recommend that). It's a Romanian import from Stentor, ebony fittings, sprayed on nitro varnish and thus a direct competitor to the Poller or the Gliga Genial 2. Price range is from about £150 to £250 (outfit price) depending on the shop. The bow will probably be fairly dire.

Liz

Thanks Liz. I went to get it this morning, and I'm pretty happy with it. David set it up, and he's put on some decent strings and made some adjustments to the set up. I've swapped the bow for something a bit better. I'm tempted to keep it myself (incorrigible me!)!! I got it and a small chinese for my sister's daughter for £300 altogether, which seemed pretty reasonable to me.

You'll have to stop somewhen, you know, there has to be a limit to the number of instruments you can practice!

VN used an E-bay Zeller. It was good with new strings added.

Do you think? So that double bass should wait?

Wow! Cello, daughter and now violin with DB next? Amazing. Don't know HOW people like you manage.

My neighbour's offspring who are now quite grown up used to say to me that after (school) year 9, there were tons of homework and the world basically just got a whole lot busier and of course, we adults are never free - there's always babysitting, cooking, off to the many doctors' appointments and washing up!

How do people (like teenagers and adults) keep up 4 instruments or more?

Speaking as an old hand at such things, limit the number of instruments?...NEVER!!

In all seriousness, I've found that having a 'working knowledge' of several instruments has widened my appreciation of the difficulties involved in playing each one. It's also opened my eyes to to just how bad some composers were writing for instruments they clearly knew absolutely nothing about...... with those who only played piano being some of the worst offenders.


With good time management and not spending too much time on the internet........

...and I rarely watch television ....although I confess to one hours worth of it this evening

I'm one of those people who, if necessary, will delay eating until after I've practiced.