I am still looking for a new bass (my first) and have heard quite positive things about Stentor, the Stentor Student 1 outfit i could afford and does look pretty good, just seeing what people had to say about the bass ?
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Double Bass Stentor Basses
- Thread starter Pyratetechnixs
- Start date
They're practically unheard of in the US - I don't know why. I think they're owned by Selmer or somebody who also makes band instruments. A friend of mine's daughter in London has had a mid-level Stentor through school (last 4 years or so) and is very happy with it. It's probably a safe bet for a student/budget instrument.
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Louis
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Louis
I have owned my 2003 Stentor "Conservatoire Double Bass" model for over 1 year and this is by far, a pro level instrument and is made as solid as a rock. I have recorded this bass, and noticed both the engineer and the band commented on how fantastic the bass sounds compared to others they've heard. The tone, projection, and sustain is excellent. Very comfortable fingerboard. Get one with a solid carved top! It has very beautiful wood and the finish is a nice amber tone. It is well worth the extra money and you will not be sorry if you purchase one. If it were stolen or destroyed, I would save my money and purchase another one. Only downfall if that it should come with a rigid soft/hard case. I have also come to find they are somewhat rare in the USA. I got very lucky & paid $1000.00 for a $2500-$3000 instrument. The lucky finds are out there, you just gotta find them & everyone needs $ these days so, negotiate!
- Jan 12, 2004
- 1,493
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- Owner, Stand Up Guy Basses (Repair/Sell/Buy upright basses)
Hi Louis,
I lusted after that bass about 5 years ago. A definite homage to the Pollman Busetto [read:knock-off], but at less than half the price (I seem to recall a quote of around 6K for it). I never found one to try up here in Canada, and am now less dazzled by the Busetto shape than I once was.
From all I've read, Stentor does seem to have a good rep among the Chinese-made basses.
Cheers,
Paul
Matthew Tucker
Commercial User
- Aug 21, 2002
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- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
I have a Stentor 1/2 size on the bench today. It is probably not exactly the same model you mention, but is typical of the quality of low-priced student basses that schools buy. I can take some pics if you like. It is fully laminated, has a rather lumpy "ebonised" maple fingerboard, aluminium tailpiece (ping!), crap strings, and a tailpiece wire made of knotted clothesline, which snapped. Inside, the blocks and linings fit better than some, but they are still just your typical ply strips. Otherwise it is basically sound. Nice clear white neck when stripped of the gunk! It needs another $400-$600 setup work at a minimum to get it into what I consider playable condition. Pity is, that the school has had it, and the poor students have struggled with it "as supplied from the shop", for many years until it broke ... and only then does it get the work it needs. When it goes back it will be better than new. But still a cheapo ply bass. There's a lesson in there somewhere but I don't think anyone's really listening :/
Matthew Tucker
Commercial User
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
Update; the Stentor bass on my bench is the "1950" model, with carved top, not laminated as i recalled in my previous post. Laminated back and sides.
The thing i like least on this bass is the ebonised fingerboard. Very hard to achieve a smooth and buzz-free board whien it's covered with hard black goop. You should look for an ebony board IMO.
Here pics of the build quality here so you can see what you get for your money. Hope it's useful.
The thing i like least on this bass is the ebonised fingerboard. Very hard to achieve a smooth and buzz-free board whien it's covered with hard black goop. You should look for an ebony board IMO.
Here pics of the build quality here so you can see what you get for your money. Hope it's useful.
Over here in ZA the Stentor instruments are quite popular. When I played cello, I used to have a Conservatoire model, and I now have the 1950L model bass. Yes, it came with a crappy metal tailpiece, crap strings and quite high action. I replaced the above over time, and I also had the nut and bridge lowered to make playing more comfortable. I am happy with my bass, and although I'd love to have a better instrument, I bought what I could afford at the time. Oh and yeah, they certainly don't seem to care too much about the tidiness of the inside of the instruments, regardless of the model.
Hey,
I own a Student II, which is probably their cheapest fully-carved model, and I'm quite happy with it - it sounds and plays great. I bought mine through a luthier I met through my teacher, and he made a few mods to it: He installed an adjustable bridge and an ebony fingerboard, he replaced the mickey mouse factory strings with a set of Zyex and he lowered the action at the nut. After all was said and done, that bass (w/ gig bag and french bow) cost me 2,500 canadian bucks (including mods and setup by the luthier) - that's cheaper than what a laminate would have cost me at Long & McQuade before setup.
I own a Student II, which is probably their cheapest fully-carved model, and I'm quite happy with it - it sounds and plays great. I bought mine through a luthier I met through my teacher, and he made a few mods to it: He installed an adjustable bridge and an ebony fingerboard, he replaced the mickey mouse factory strings with a set of Zyex and he lowered the action at the nut. After all was said and done, that bass (w/ gig bag and french bow) cost me 2,500 canadian bucks (including mods and setup by the luthier) - that's cheaper than what a laminate would have cost me at Long & McQuade before setup.
