The Helmut Ilner SIR B is my third upgrade since I began learning a little over two years ago and I am absolutely in love with this violin. It’s my ride or die violin, no doubt about it. It makes a huge difference as a student violinist to learn and play on such a high quality instrument. The warm tones and the crisp, direct, singing trebles make this violin an absolute delight to play and the responsiveness makes vibrato a pleasure. The high quality craftsmanship, superb attention to detail in the rosewood pegs and tailpiece, and a lightly antiqued finish has produced an instrument that is a pleasure to hold in your hands and visually admire. You can see that this violin was crafted with love. All of which compels me to become a better student so I can play it the way it deserves to be played, whatever genre I’m exploring. Massive thanks to Rhys on the SFS staff who introduced me to the Helmut Ilner B and with his expertise helped me decide which one of the three they had in stock really sang to the both of us, and patiently answered the myriad of questions I had. It was very professionally packed and arrived through the post to me safe and sound. Thanks Rhys and thanks SFS. You guys are my go-to for anything violin.