My symphony musician wife and our concertmaster agree this is the right violin
We were hoping to find an excellent instrument that will not need to be upgraded two tweaks from now was the case for our older daughter who out grew the sound of her Haide in two years.
This violin is for our daughter [Vera] who would does not like a dark guarneri sound (like her sister and mother). She prefers a sound that is brighter but still warm. (Might you call that Neutral?). Nothing too bright or nasal. (Mellow Strad? Warm guan?). Something is very easy to play and is very open.
[UPDATE: 1 week later] Vera had her lesson today. The 909 [Guarneri] is much responsive and open than the Moneff. All of us seem to prefer the the 909.
I'm sure that the Moneff will open up with time, but at the moment, it seems to have a long way to go. I think we are going to have concentrated her efforts on the 909.
We will have Vera play it everyday. Hopefully she will have better feel for at her next lesson. I've to run to rehearsal. I'll wrote back later.
[UPDATE: 11 days later] Our friend, the concertmaster of our orchestra, a violin connoisseur, liked both instruments, but also found the 909 easier to play. I'll report back next week.
[UPDATE: 5 days later] Vera is focused on the 909. We are going to keep the 909.
I just gave your name to a friend looking for a viola.