Heyy (long time no see )
Posting this for friend:
she is on a 3/4 sized violin and grade 2. she is due to upgrade to a full sized violin suitable for upto grade 5/6
There is some ebay violins - which one should she bid for? Thanks

Stentor conservatoire

Stentor Messina

'Joseph Guanerius' (Obviously not the real thing!!!)


Louis Gairaud Geige Bratsche - might get intercepted by customs...

Stentor Guaduate

At the moment they are leaning towards the stentor conservatoire, messina. In my opinion they should take the graduate off the list but what do you think?

thanks

I'd go with the Conservatoire or Messina as they come from Stentor which quite well-known.

Also I'd be be careful of Ebay BUT their is a nice looking Used VIOLIN 4/4 TONARELI No.100 - VIOLON, VIOLINE, GEIGE i going on there - has anyone got opinions on it? (I hope you don't mind for me hijacking your thread.)

As I am only a beginner myself I can't really comment on others - you'd have to wait for a more expert player to come on

As for customs, Forumite elidatrading posted it here somewhere but I can't seem to find it - I'll post it if I can

VCQ

I wouldn't go for that one - it is probably only good for the first 3 grades. I wouldn't trust ebay with anything other than stentor. I find that shops on ebay usually completely overexaggerate, claiming violins are suitable for such and such a grade when really theyre not, it doesnt look that great either, a stentor would probably be better

I'd definitely suggest the Messina It will be sufficient up to grade 6 and it's coming in a very high quality Hindersine case (i think) not the terrible foamy things stentors usually come in
If not the conservatoire would be ok but when she gets to grade 5/6 it will be pushing it, I wouldn't really reccommend a conservatoire for over grade 4, but of course it depends on what you can afford

What is your budget, if you don't mind me asking? I work in a violin shop so may be able to offer you some more advice

the budget is around ?200 or I think 250 at a stretch? I think. I'll ask again to make sure
P.s: do messinas usually come with 'carbon fibre' bows?!
also, there is the primavera loreto which is apparently suitable for Grade 6-8? Loreato
btw: does she NEED to upgrade at grade 2? Her violin is a stentor one with dominants (she is 'ready' for a 4/4 but is still 'quite' comfortable on a 3/4 - her parents are buying this in time for a birthday gift )
thanks hubicka:)

In my opinion, if someone is serious about the violin and likely to keep it up, they would be better off getting to know and deal with their local violin shop/luthier, rather than buying mail order or from Ebay. You might pay a few pounds more, but the violin is more likely to be well set up, and they will probably give you good trade in terms when the time comes to upgrade.

definitely definitely not suitable for 6-8!
I'd say with a budget like that, go to a violin shop and see what they have
http://www.cardiffviolins.co.uk/shop/violi...o-intermediate/ - i've played all 3 of these and am extremely impressed with the sound/playability of them. i don't know if youre anywhere near cardiff though - although they would post it to you
there may be similar deals in other violin shops too

perhaps get her a cheaper 4/4 for now (stentor II for example) then save up for when she has done grade 4 to get her something nice for the higher grades ?

Oooh - much better than their old website.

Sorry off topic!

that was what they were thinking about (as they could stretch the budget quite a bit) but It'd be pointless to get a stentor 2 if a stentor conservatoire/messina is just ?20 more expensive! (Because a new stentor2 will cost around ?120)
(Cardiff violins? the friend I'm talking about lives in Hampshire! thanks for the recommendation though:D)

Yes but the conservatoire would be pushing it at grade 5 or 6. I'd say stentor II for the next few grades then when she's on grade 5, spending about ?400 or more if affordable in a violin shop for a nice one for the higher grades =] And probably you would be able to trade in the stentor II towards the next one

I'll tell her parents...I doubt if they will listen though: according to them, the more advanced the violin the merrier

Customs do not apply within the EU

Liz

stentor conservatoire will go to grade 5/6 and in good hands who knows!!! . BUT, not from e-bay, get one that has been set up professionally by a luther! and put decent strings init. Will have to pay more for it this way but will be well worth it. They are a good "cheap" instrument.

Init?
why did I predict that you'll says the conservatoire is good? (yes, I read previous topics...)

thanks liz... so maybe they should leave the messina, dontcha think?

I don't see why, it seems like a good buy to me.

Liz

Sorry I keep giving mixed advice but I just had a look at the Messina i'd say definitely try get that

From a violin teacher....
Conservatoire is generally very good value for money for grades 2-4/5. Ebay can also be a good source of outgrown instruments so long as you stick to major brands (eg stentor) as families often sell outgrown instruments to help finance the next one. However, DO beware of the online shops selling 'violin-shaped-objects' and other things which look too good to be true!
Do check with the teacher that the student is definitely ready for a full size though - at this stage a lot of harm can be done by moving to a too large/too heavy instrument too soon, especially if in the early stages of changing position and learning vibrato, when a good, relaxed posture is essential.

I'll never understand why they named it conservatoire, seeing as if you had that to play on in a conservatoire, you'd have a big problem

Either that, or you'd have to work sooooo hard that when you eventually got a decent instrument you'd be brilliant!!

yes, especially since the violin alone is around ?350-420. also... Liz, do you know if carbon fibre bows are 'generally' better than wooden ones?


the violin teacher said that she is definitely ready but she could stay with her 3/4s if obtaining a bigger violin is difficult:)


a big problem? when a lot of people have gone over thousands, its a least an extremely massive problem

Have you'll also got a crystal ball then?
Me thinks that you'll ought to get a messina.
But, i predict you'll makes up you'll own mind, dontcha think?

they've made mind up and (probably) have got it, init. you predicted right,delicato - dontcha think?

I'm at a conservatoire and my violin was ?8000
Maybe we should ask stentor the meaning behind the name

Did they manage to get the messina?

Depends on the make.

Liz

yep - no one was really going for it which was strange!!!