Every string counts: finding the right foundation with Stentor
Picking up a musical instrument is exciting, but it also demands a significant amount of patience. For beginners, the real challenge lies in shifting their lifestyle and finding the discipline to practice consistently. While the student works on these habits, especially for young ones, parents also play a vital role in providing the right environment and tools to help them succeed.
One of the first hurdles a parent faces is choosing the right equipment. While finding an entry-level model for many instruments is relatively simple, it is surprisingly difficult when it comes to strings like the violin, viola, cello, or double bass.
Don’t you worry, we have you covered. We will walk you through why we think Stentor is the right companion for beginners. Stentor has built a reputation as the ‘go-to’ brand for music educators worldwide. Unlike many mass-produced instruments that prioritize low costs over playability, Stentor focuses on providing a consistent, technically correct foundation for students.
In this blog, we will explore and take a closer look at their range to help you decide which model is the right fit for your child’s journey.
What is Stentor?
Stentor is the world’s leading manufacturer of student stringed instruments. Founded in London in 1895, it remains a family-owned British company. Today, they are considered the industry standard for music schools and teachers globally.
Where is it made?
Since 1995, Stentor has manufactured its instruments in its own dedicated factory in China. Because they own the factory rather than outsourcing, they maintain strict quality control and ensure every instrument is built to European technical specifications.
Why is it so popular?
- Solid wood construction: unlike many budget brands, Stentor uses real tonewoods rather than plywood.
- Teacher approved: their specifications are designed to meet the exact needs of music educators.
- Complete outfits: everything you need to start playing is included.
Stentor Student series
The Stentor Student series is designed to take the guesswork out of choosing an instrument. Since each model is tailored to a specific stage of a student's development, you can select an outfit based on both budget and how long the student intends to play.
Violins
Stentor Student Standard - violin
The Student Standard model is the most affordable entry point into the Stentor family. It is designed for those who want a reliable instrument to test the waters without a heavy financial commitment. While it is an economy model, it still meets the essential requirements for a beginner to start their first few lessons with confidence.
Key features: solid wood construction, easy tuning, and durable fittings.
The outfit: includes a well-constructed, lightweight case with a brown integral cover and a quality student wood bow.
Available sizes: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, and 1/16 for younger students.
Stentor Student I - violin
The Stentor Student I is the most popular choice for schools and teachers. It is carved from solid tonewoods, which is a significant upgrade from the plywood instruments often found at this price point. This solid construction allows for a much warmer, more resonant tone, helping a beginner stay motivated as they hear a ‘real’violin sound from day one.
Key features: solid wood construction, durable fittings, and easy tuning.
The outfit: includes a reliable wood bow and a lightweight case featuring a fitted interior, pockets for a shoulder rest and music, bow holders, rosin, and backpack straps.
Available sizes: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16, and 1/32.
Stentor Student II - violin
The Stentor Student II is the gold standard for students moving into higher grades. While it looks similar to the Student I, the differences are in the refined materials and the ‘set-up’ quality. This model is frequently recommended by teachers as the definitive ‘step-up’ instrument that can take a student from their first lesson all the way through their intermediate exams.
Key features: premium tonewoods and high-grade ebony fingerboard and pegs.
The outfit: includes a high-quality student wood bow with natural horsehair and a full-mounted ebony frog, plus a high-quality European-style bridge and a composite tailpiece.
Available sizes: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, and 1/16.
Violas
Stentor Student I - viola
The Stentor Student I viola is a go-to choice for schools and teachers looking for a reliable entry-level instrument. Carved from solid tonewoods, it offers a significant step up from the laminated instruments often found at this price point.
Key features: solid wood construction and durable fittings.
The outfit: comes as a full package with a reliable wood bow featuring natural horsehair and an ebony frog, plus a lightweight case with safety reflectors and back straps.
Available sizes: 12 inch, 13 inch, 14 inch, 15 inch, 15.5 inch, and 16 inch.
Stentor Student II - viola
The Stentor Student II Viola is highly recommended by teachers for students looking for a more refined tone. Finished with a gold brown pigment varnish, it allows the solid tonewoods to vibrate more freely for a warmer, more responsive sound.
Key features: hand-carved tonewoods and premium fingerboard and pegs.
The outfit: includes a high-quality wood bow with a full-mounted ebony frog, plus a lightweight case with an accessory pocket and carrying straps.
Available sizes: 12 inch, 13 inch, 14 inch, 15 inch, 15.5 inch, and 16 inch.
Double Bass
Stentor Student - double bass
The Stentor Student Double Bass is an excellent choice for student players looking for a reliable, carved instrument. Unlike many budget models that use laminated woods for the entire body, this bass features a solid carved spruce front, offering a much deeper and more resonant sound. Its robust construction makes it well-suited for the demands of school music departments and orchestral students who need a consistent, high-quality tone from day one.
Key features
- Solid wood construction
- Quality fittings: equipped with brass machine heads to ensure smooth, stable tuning—essential for an instrument of this size.
- Enhanced playability: the hand-carved finish ensures a comfortable feel, helping students develop proper technique without the limitations of inferior materials.
- Includes a reliable wood bow with natural horsehair and a padded rayon cover with dedicated pockets for the bow and accessories.
- Available sizes: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16.
Stentor Student II - double bass
The Stentor Student II double bass is a premium student instrument recommended for its superior tone and durability. It is fully carved from solid tonewoods, providing a rich, resonant sound that only improves as the wood ages. This model is finished with a hand-applied chestnut brown varnish, giving it a professional appearance and allowing the instrument to vibrate more freely for a fuller projection.
Key features
- Fully carved construction: unlike the standard model, the Student II is hand-carved from a solid spruce front and solid maple back and sides.
- Premium fittings: features a high-quality ebony fingerboard and reliable brass machine heads for smooth, stable tuning.
- Professional finish: the hand-applied varnish enhances both the look and the natural resonance of the tonewoods.
- Includes a reliable wood bow with natural horsehair and a full-mounted ebony frog.
- Comes with a high-quality padded rayon cover featuring accessory pockets and carrying straps.
- Available Sizes: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8.
Cellos
Stentor Student I - cello
The Stentor Student I Cello is the most popular choice for schools and teachers looking for a reliable entry-level instrument. Carved from solid tonewoods, it offers a significant step up from the laminated instruments often found at this price point. This solid construction provides a warmer, more resonant tone, giving beginners the encouragement of a "real" cello sound from their very first lesson.
Key features
- Solid wood construction
- Durable Fittings: equipped with a high-quality rosewood fingerboard and pegs for better longevity.
- Easy tuning: includes a composite tailpiece with four integral thin-string adjusters for precise and stable tuning.
- Comes as a full package with a reliable wood bow featuring natural horsehair and an ebony frog.
- Includes a well-padded rayon cover with accessory pockets and backpack straps for easy transport.
- Available Sizes : 4/4 (Full Size), 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, and 1/16.
Stentor Student II - cello
The Stentor Student II cello is highly recommended by teachers as the ideal step-up instrument for students. Hand-carved in Stentor’s own workshops, this cello is made from solid tonewoods and finished with a gold brown varnish that enhances its natural resonance. The result is a warmer, more responsive sound that helps developing players achieve a greater range of expression as they progress through their grades.
Key Features
- All Stentor Student II cellos are carved from solid tonewoods, featuring inlaid purfling and individually thicknessed for superior sound quality.
- Equipped with a high-grade ebony fingerboard and ebony pegs for long-term durability and a professional feel.
- Fitted with a composite tailpiece with integral adjusters (note: 1/10 and 1/16 sizes feature an alloy tailpiece).
- Includes a quality, full-mounted wood bow featuring natural horsehair and an ebony frog.
- The instrument is protected by a well-designed, padded nylon cover that includes safety reflectors, dedicated bow and accessory pockets, and back straps for easy transport.
- Available Sizes : 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, and 1/16.
Now that we have covered the primary student models, there are other options to consider. For example, you can also opt for the Conservatoire series, which is a significant step up. This range is perfect for those who want a premium feel and a more refined experience in their performance. More information on the Conservatoire series here.
To get to know more about the Stentor line-up, you could walk into any of our locations below and put your mind at ease if you are not sure where to begin. Our team is ready to help you find the perfect instrument for your journey.
Store Locations:
- Business Bay
- Wafi Mall
- Fish Roundabout, Deira
- Salahuddin Street
- Sahara Centre, Sharjah
- Abu Dhabi
- Shop-in-shop locations at selected Virgin Megastores
Already know what you want? Then you are just one click away from owning it. Just visit thomsunmusic.com to get started.
About the author
Ranen is a Thomsun Music writer and multi-instrumentalist with over 20 years in the industry. Currently playing with the band Radicchio, he holds DipLCM and ALCM diplomas in performance. He blends two decades of recording and stage experience to give gear reviews the technical depth they require.
