Can someone point to a good cello I could buy to start? I`m looking for quality as well as price, something moderate though. I`m a complete beginner when it comes to cellos so any help picking one out would be good.

Thanks!
Ian

I`ve heard very good things about the Shen cellos...but I don`t know what your price range is...

Gliga. Unless by any chance you are in the UK, in which case, mail me and I will point you to a super used one originally from us which is going to be a lovely buy for someone.

Liz

Thanks for the input. Could someone please check this link and tell me what you think about it? Would it be worthwhile to spend the money on, or is it going to fall apart on me or sound terrible?

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemID=22937&TempID=8&STRID=133757&Method=2&CategoryID=0&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=0&DepartmentKeeper=&pagesize=10&SortMethod=4&Word1=cello&Contains=%22%2Acello%2A%22&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=nonetodaythanks

Thx!
Ian

Sorry, ian, that link doesn`t work.

liz

hmmm....

try this link:
http://www.samash.com/frameset.asp?SKU=CR11

What do you think?

Ian, it`s rather strange to see a shop making out that having a laminated top is a GOOD thing!! That in itself would be enough to put me off.

It loks like they`re selling out the CR200 series for the same price as the CR11, so i assume it`s the CR200 you`re going for?

Time was when all you could get at the bottom end of the market was laminated but these days I would have thought a solid woods Chinese cello would be obtainable for $399. Certainly over here we could do it for the equivalent price. Why not have a look around on the net and see what you can find that has all solid woods and (preferably) ebony fittings? I bet it can be done.

Liz

Liz,

Can you take a look at these and let me know if any would be worthwhile spending the money on?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/466507/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/470328/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/470329/

Thanks for your help and expertise!!
Ian

It`s really hard to tell, there isn`t enough information given. Any of those would probably be more than adequate.

There`s one thing you need to bear in mind. ANY cello you get sent to you has a high chance (perhaps 50%) of arriving with a collapsed soundpost. This is because it is almost unheard of for a cello to be sent through the post with the bridge up, because sellers are reluctant to take the additional risk of damage caused by sending it like that.

Now it IS possible to send cellos bridge up. We do it all the time, and we have not yet had one arrive with a collapsed soundpost because sending them bridge up greatly reduces the chances of the soundpost collapsing. It does however mean that packing the cello is more difficult unless a hard case is used.

Putting the soundpost up is a very minor job BUT it is a specialist job. So you would be well advised to allow for a trip to a repair shop in your budget.

If it were me, this is what I would do: I would mail all the sellers you are considering and ask them outright if they would be prepared to ship the cello to you bridge up and ready to play, in order to minimise the chances of the soundpost collapsing. Narrow your choices down according to the answers you get. Any shop that says it can`t be done is talking rubbish, it CAN be done, and if the shop is selling the cello in one of those stryofoam hard cases then it should not even be any more difficult to pack.

Liz