Stentor II vs. Conservatoire...?

[padmavyuha]

I'm looking at buying a Stentor 3/4 as a beginner with a head start (because my pitch and rhythm are really good) but with some muscles missing in my right side that make the Stentor's sloping shoulders a big help for that arm (arco is going to be 'interesting' - I've yet to choose between French for reach vs. German for ease of holding, love a challenge!).

There's the Stentor II (sometimes called a Student II around ₤800 or so) and then the Conservatoire (around ₤1300, both prices before setup/tweak costs - and I need a new bloody long spike fitted, cos I'm 6'3" and need the bass up for arco, as my right arm's a bit short too).

Can anyone tell me what the significant differences are between these models? The Stentor website just says:

The Stentor Student II Double Bass
a high standard student instrument. Hand carved from solid tonewoods, solid spruce front, solid maple back and sides.

The Stentor Conservatoire Double Bass
fully carved back and front, hand made from selected solid tonewoods. A great value instrument finished in Shellax TM varnish.

Partly I'm asking because I'm going to look at a 2nd hand instrument tomorrow, and the owner doesn't know what model it is - just that it was new around 2006. It doesn't seem to have the model on the label (he says - we'll see tomorrow) and the price he's asking would be good for a Conservatoire or above, too pricey for a II. Does anyone who's seen them both know of a sure way of telling the difference?

Thanks in advance for your time.