Hello everyone. I am shopping for a cello and seeking assistance. I'm new to the instrument and basically clueless, though I am familiar with other instruments. I'm in my late 20s and I play guitar, piano, and sax. After deciding several months ago to take up the cello, I got a cheap violin to familiarize myself with bow movement, fingerings, etc. For the cello I want to stay below $500, as there are many more instruments I must budget for as well.
Perhaps my most important question... is this price range realistic? I've had some rather pessimistic replies from various salesmen when I quoted this range. 'Oh no (laughs) we don't carry anything that cheap, we carry QUALITY instruments', and so on...
I'm not looking to try out for the London philharmonic with this thing. If I get to that point, I'll upgrade later. I just want something that feels good to play and sounds good enough that average non-tone-obsessed listener won't say 'god that sounds like a cheap cello'.
Anyway, today I tried my first several out, and would appreciate any advice on how to handle the ups/downs of each instrument I played:
1 - Engelhardt Cello, used, $450, model number 5544 - seller did not have rosin for the bow, so I couldn't really play it. I plucked the strings and got a feel for it at least. The neck felt comfortable, it was easy to play, and in generally good shape. My biggest concern was a crack where the back piece meets the neck... I'm not sure if this was just cosemetic or could indicate structural damage
2- Engelhardt Cello, used, $485, model number 110 - neck felt great, significantly rounder than the other ones, lighter finish I wasn't too impressed with though. A few dings here and there, but the main thing I was concerned with was that the one F hole seemed to stick out away from the body maybe a cm more than the other. It looked like the sound board (I'm not sure if I'm using the right term there) was pushing up on it too strong. Could this be a sign of the wood warping?
3- (I can't remember the brand name), new, $440 - hard to play, not natural feeling at all, sounded least warm or mailable of any of them, like it was trying really hard to play even the basic lines I could make out on it haha... but it gave me a good idea at what I was looking at in the 'new' end of the this price range
4- a german-made cello whos brand again I can't remember, $845 - felt comfortable and sounded the best out of any of them, but looked frankly beat up. I couldn't pick out any specifics as to what was 'wrong' with it, but I took one look at it and could tell it was old and either used heavily or not taken care of
Anyway, this has become quite the ramble, but if anyone wants to help me in my search that'd be pretty cool and I'd appreciate it. I'd be interested I suppose in what's beyond my $500 ramble, but I wouldn't want to go far and certainly don't want to get into some huge thing about how you HAVE to pay at least a grand unless you're buying a TOY made in CHINA... I have nothing against the chinese, and I want to know what specifically I should look for and what to avoid.
Hey, don't make fun of Chinese cellos, that's what I have It's not an issue of where it's from, it's the quality of the maker and the supplies. Europe does have quite a few quality Luthiers (instrument makers and repairmen), they're been doing it longer than most of the rest of the world.
It seems likely that, for under $500, your best bet is going to be used. One of the worst things you can do, though, is buy one that is broken in any way, because it'll get worse, and repairing it will likely equal the cost of the instrument itself. From the sound of it, the one with the crack and the crooked f-hole are definite no-nos. This should not be confused with slight surface dings, flaws in the varnish, etc. These affect the playability and tone quality little, and they aren't about to get worse and make the instrument fall apart, which is a definite possibility with the first two you listed. I had two cellos when I started playing (one for school, one for home), and the better sounding one looked worse: it had a lot of scratches and dents and I didn't like the color as much, but it sounded better.
The most important thing to remember while buying and instrument is to play it, and pick what you like best in your price range. If you didn't like the new one, don't buy it.
Another consideration, especially used instruments: strings and tune-ups. An instrument might sound crappy when it really isn't. All it might need is a bow rehair or a new set of strings (Each can cost $30-$50). I'm still curious to this day about a certain cello I tried out years ago: I've discovered since then that it had a brand of strings which I really hate. I'm still curious what would've happened if I'd changed the strings. Also, ask the previous owner when the bow was last rehaired and when the strings were last changed. If it's been more than a year, the sound and feel could be drastically altered. Of course, it's not like you're about to change the strings before you buy it, but it's just something to keep in mind.
From looking at your descriptions, I'd go for the German one you listed fourth, because it doesn't seem SERIOUSLY damaged, and you like the sound.
I'd like to give you another option you might like, though. Renting instruments is a definite possibiliy. Look around at you local music shop, www.shar.com and www.southweststrings.com. There are a variety of instrument rental plans, and if you're on a tight budget, this might allow you to get a nicer instrument but spread the cost out so it's still more affordable. Many have a "rent to own" plan, where you just rent the instrument and when you pay enough, it's yours. Others have a similar plan, which will allow you to but that or another instrument (great for upgrading to an intermediate instrument). Each has a variety of insurance and repair plans, and you should also think about shipping when ordering from the online shops (do you pay for it, or does it come with the plan?) I think I might recommend this most, but it depends on your financial situation, whether you think renting or buying is the best.
searching...
It's not an issue of where it's from, it's the quality of the maker and the supplies. Europe does have quite a few quality Luthiers (instrument makers and repairmen), they're been doing it longer than most of the rest of the world.