He now needs his full size /adult violin. Until now he has had cheap Stentor's.
We have just had to change teachers, snd we're getting slightly conflicting advice.
We would spend £250-400, more than happy to hunt second hand.
Suggestions of make/model, and sources for body, bow and strings please.
I believe some of the upper end Stentors are pretty good. Mrs Oldman has a Stentor Conservatoire which seems quite decent. I see good things written about Gewa too. It depends though on current standard, how keen he is and how far he wants to go.
If you have a decent string shop nearby go and have a chat. It's certainly better to buy from a reputable shop. It might cost you a bit extra for a set of decent strings and a proper set-up but it will be worth it. Secondhand is worthwhile if you have a reasonable idea what you are looking at. I play oboe and all my instruments have been secondhand. Years ago I played viola and got one through a private sale. As for strings, it used to be Dominant or Jargar. I think Dominant are still rated but it's a personal thing.
Can highly recommend Gliga violins. Handmade in Romania and not bank breaking. My daughter has a Gliga Gama which she was given by a fiddle playing friend of mine. It sounds lovely.
Ah sorry, Gliga is what I meant.
Stratovarious if you really love them...
I had to Google them. A Finnish Heavy Metal band apparently.
How about a Strava-various?
Only when playing Presto.
Another vote for Gliga. My wife has had a Gliga Gama 2 for around 12 years and although she doesn't play often it seems nice. The owner of Blackpool violin shop thought it was nice enough too.
Appreciate this may not help if you are changing teachers...
We bought ours through the school music department and that meant it could be bought "VAT free". I know little more than that, but Stringers in York place were helpful and seemed very knowledgeable when I had to get spare strings.
there's a Stringers (I think) in Edinburgh as well - daughter got one from there on approval but after chatting to local music chap, she pended up taking it back and getting one from him instead. as you say plenty of conflicting advice but if you get one on a decent loan to trial that would be great - tone and feel does make a difference.
I am a musical klutz - but they did sound 'different'.
How about a Strava-various?
Only when playing Presto.
Scherzo, surely... 😉
We are heading to (I think) Stringers in the 'burgh, on suggestion of new teacher. After looking some more it seems bow and strings are as important as body...
We bought ours through the school music department and that meant it could be bought "VAT free"
Someone in your local authority needs to get their head around the legality of that... 🙄
I think daughter ended up with bow, and possibly case, from Stringers though not in the end the actual violin..
Someone in your local authority needs to get their head around the legality of that...
Look at 'Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme'.