Stentor Messina

[padmavyuha]

Okay, having another crack at this here. The mystery DB I went to see today turns out to be a Stentor Messina, somewhat pimped by a luthier recently (better bridge/strings, fingerboard refit), made around 2002.

Does anyone have experience of this DB? In the Stentor range of violins/violas/cellos, the Messina is between the Conservatoire and the Elysia - but there's no Messina DB these days. So given that the instrument seems in very good nick and ready to roll (no buzzes that I could find, but I'm a novice), and is priced a little above a new Conservatoire, does this sound a good buy? I can probably talk the price down a bit, since he's had it advertised for a while.

I like the look and sound of it better than the Stentor Student II I tried, even as someone who can barely play yet, which is important - more sustain, brighter. And I like the muted colour too (strange matte burnt orange finish, neither garish nor dull ).

Comments appreciated.

[oliebrice]

never seen a Stentor messina, but going by your location, if the luthier in question is John Sydenham I can vouch for his work...

[padmavyuha]

I'm buying the Messina - I wrote to Stentor and got this quick and helpful response from the director, Robert Bogin:

"Thank you for your email. The Messina would be a high quality bass, fully hand crafted in the small (around 30 people) high grade workshop within our violin factory. These instruments are made by one or two people rather than the student instruments which are made on a hand production line. The finish is hand brushed shellac.
You are correct to say that we only list Elysia and Arcadia basses, however we have sold some Messina in the past where the factory have produced them - the grading of these instruments is by quality of tonewood, craftsmanship and sound which is often a subjective judgement. In general, the range of two is sufficient which is why we do not list Messina. We are certain that this is a fine instrument and if it is 7 years old, the tone should have matured nicely."

I think I'm getting a nice deal on a nice instrument, for the price of a well set up student model (₤1250). And it comes with a pickup on the bridge, which saves me all the techno-angst of trying to choose one (when I can't even play the bloody thing yet). I don't know which pickup it is, I think it's just a basic one - it's attached to one of the bridge 'armpits' (I have no idea what the different parts of a bridge are called, but you get the picture), with the jack socket part on the tailpiece. I'll take a closer look when I get the bass on Monday.

The luthier who worked on it is in Leeds, I'll be getting all the paperwork from its past life too. It's going into the Bristol Violin Shop for a new endpin (with longer spike) and for them to give it the once-over, but I'm very happy with it. Photos to follow next week .

[padmavyuha]

And here's my Messina . Next step, an endpin with a longer spike!