Picking a first-time Cello

College Majors Music Major
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<p>I have played piano and handbells for about 5 years and I want to pick up a string instrument (I have also had experience with guitar going on and off for about 4 years). Cello was immediately the one to stick out to me. But, I want to get a cello that will have a decent sound and be for a beginner.</p>

<p>I found an inexpensive cello on amazon, but I want advice on how it seems. I have looked on other sites and reviews have been excellent saying that it has a very good sound and such. Do you think I should go for it?</p>

<p>Amazon.com:</a> Cecilio CCO-100 Student Size 4/4 Cello Outfit with Hard Case: Musical Instruments</p>

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<p>I recommend you seek out a good music store or luthier in your area (or a few hours away even) which rents cellos. Usually they will have a range of instruments of varying quality, and sometimes varying rental prices. I would expect they would have a better quality cello than the one you linked to. Often they will let you apply the rental fees to purchasing a cello if you decide to continue. Until you’ve played for awhile I would not recommend purchasing.</p>

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<p>Hi Salve,</p>

<p>My fingers are slow, SpiritManager beat me with the same advice, but I’ll post this anyway!</p>

<p>If absolutely necessary to mail order an instrument, I’d deal directly with firms such as Shar, Southwest Strings, Johnson Strings, etc. that have return policies and a reputation in the industry to maintain. </p>

<p>Rather than mail-order, there is a better way to obtain a string instrument for beginning lessons. Many instrument dealers - stores - have rental policies that allow you to rent a cello, violin, viola, etc and later apply rental payments to the purchase price of an instrument. This way, you can see if cello will fit into your life without making a major $$$ commitment up front. Also, you can go to the store and try out different instruments and bow - ask to try what they have. A store may not offer you a choice, but they often have multiple instruments available and some may be better than others - ask to try several. If you get something home and it turns out that a rental bow is slightly warped (not uncommon) or a rental instrument is not quite up to standard, you can insist on a replacement. </p>

<p>Do you have a teacher lined up? This teacher can give you recommendations of dealers in your area that have decent quality rental instruments. I would also ask a teacher (or cellist friend) to evaluate any instrument you decide on.</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t order online unless it is from a reputable string or cello shop. You also want to try and find a reputable brand name instrument if possible -I personally haven’t heard of cecilio, but I’m a bass player.</p>

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<p>Great advice. While geared to a higher level, the thread here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/660118-necessary-have-expensive-instrument.html?highlight=instrument[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/660118-necessary-have-expensive-instrument.html?highlight=instrument&lt;/a&gt; has some general do’s and don’ts.</p>

<p>Also, check both Strings [All</a> Things Strings: All Things Strings for: Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass](<a href=“http://www.stringsmagazine.com/index.asp]All”>http://www.stringsmagazine.com/index.asp) and Strad [The</a> Strad](<a href=“http://www.thestrad.com/]The”>http://www.thestrad.com/) magazines, there have been numerous articles on instrument purchases (for the newbie), and they may be available online. The link to the Fritz Reuter site n the other thread is also full of info. I’m sure Johnson, Potter, Shar have tips on their webpages as well.</p>

<p>My guess is what is on the Amazon link is a low quality import of Asian origin. While there are some decent low cost Asian imports available, many are incredibly poorly made, and are nothing more than rip-offs. While I have no experience with that name, the advice to deal with a local shop or luthier, or one of the reputable online dealers is the most sound.</p>

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<p>Thank you everyone! I was also skeptical about ordering an instrument like a cello online. Since I am a piano player it wasn’t that hard ordering a keyboard online since quality is usually the same throughout. I will look into a local dealer and see what is offered there. I just didn’t want to have to spend a great deal of money on an instrument considering I would be starting out with it.</p>

<p>Thanks again for the advice! You’ve probably just saved me a hassle.</p>

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<p>Holy cow! I just read some of the thread that violadad posted above and I am amazed by the price on these instruments. How in the world can someone afford to pay 10K+ for an instrument?! There is no way that I can afford anything near that range. The grand piano that I want when I get older is only around 20K and that is a full blown concert piano. I have to be able to afford college in a year too. I’m just looking for something that will give me an introduction to the instrument and has a decent sound. Not something that is specially made or anything. The most I could spend on a cello is less than $500… I didn’t know you had to be so rich to get a good instrument.</p>

<p>The cello is strictly for recreational purposes and maybe to play at my church. I’m not going into music as a major, but I just figured the people in this category could help (and you have been giving really good advice). I’m actually going into chemical engineering and just want to learn cello for the fun of it.</p>

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<p>Salve, I just sent you a private message about some strings shops in IL.</p>

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<p>For a bass you need to spend at least 1500 to get a decent bass and setup (unless you get an amazing deal) and a cello, I would imagine, would be around 1000-1250 for a decent beginner.</p>

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<p>Thank you rudysmom!</p>

<p>PRUNEFACE, that is what I’m coming to realize. I think it’s an investment that I’m not able to make right now.</p>

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<p>All good advice above. Your best bet is to rent at a reputable string shop. DON’T buy on Ebay. A good place to purchase for a beginner(they also have a rental program) is Stringworks.Com. Very helpful people . Bought a lightly used instrument for my nephew and
helped a friend pick out one they sent for trial. Cellos are unfortunately more expensive.</p>

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<p>Salve!, I prefaced that link with the warning that a good deal of that thread dealt with higher level instruments, and yes they can be expensive. I did not mean to say you had to pay those prices, and I would seriously discourage anyone just beginning to spend “too much” on a beginner’s instrument. The thread discusses instruments going into the hands of advanced student musicians, many playing already at competition, conservatory and beyond level. </p>

<p>While it may help to have parents, grandparents, or a “patron” with deep pockets to help defray string instrument costs as a student moves up the food chain into the ranks of those bent on a professional career, $30k-$50k and beyond instruments are not in the hands of the majority of conservatory (bound) students. Most have high quality instruments, from a variety of prices, sources and makers; some are vintage, some are contemporary. Some are “shop made”, and I’d wager there’s a few factory gems as well. Many make do, upgrade slowly when a “steal” comes along, or forgo purchasing a vehicle, or other significant expense.</p>

<p>You could probably get a good quality beginner’s cello from $750 ish -$1500, especially if you’re dealing with a local music shop or one of the reputable online string instrument sources. This page from Shar [Instruments</a> | Shar Music - sharmusic.com](<a href=“http://www.sharmusic.com/Shop-Shar/Instruments/?fq=ATR_Instrument%3ACello&sort_by_options=price+asc]Instruments”>http://www.sharmusic.com/Shop-Shar/Instruments/?fq=ATR_Instrument%3ACello&sort_by_options=price+asc) gives you some idea. Look at Johnston Strings, Stringworks and Potter Violins as well for comparative pricing and rent to purchase terms, as well as their trial period. </p>

<p>If you’ve studied piano, you’ve probably played a number of different ones. Some are better quality, with truer response, finer action, and tonal qualities. Same holds true with bowed string instruments, each has it’s own characteristics.</p>

<p>You want an instrument with the best sound, feel, and playability within the price range YOU can afford. It’s that simple. Often what may seem a bargain at $X is a liability, especially if you don’t have the expertise or experience (or a person to help you through the process).</p>

<p>If you know where to look, you might land a very good quality beginning cello for $500, potentially less. Beyond the sources myself and other posters have identified, you can also try looking for colleges with music programs in your area. There are a number of instruments often offered on the bulletin boards as music students upgrade. Some of these may be the best deals you’ll find. Other sources are local youth symphonies and community music schools. But you’ll need to have someone with the background you can trust in assessing these private offerings.</p>

<p>I trust rudysmom to point you in the right direction locally.</p>

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<p>Thank you violadad! Your post really helped.</p>

<p>

Yes, I know. I was just surprised by how much people were willing to spend. But I guess it would make sense for a professional whose job is to play an instrument to spend that much.</p>

<p>

Yes, that is certainly true. I have tried keyboards from the lowest quality (those under $100 ones) to baby grands (probably 20K+ range) at different places. And I have to say it is so nice to go from my keyboard to a real piano (even though the keyboard has a really good sound, it was $600). </p>

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You know, I never thought of that. That’s a great idea. Thanks!</p>

<p>I really appreciate everyone’s help. You will probably be happy to know I won’t be purchasing that cello, but I am looking into a place to get lessons and I hope that they will guide me in the right direction.</p>