IS my cello a good one? when I look through the sound holes, I see that it is a Kniiling from Korea.

Simple question, simple answer: no.

Liz

My cello is called Reghin, its 25 years old and I bought it for 499 pounds from E bay. Is it a good cello? Was I ripped off??

Probably it`s from the Hora factory in Reghin romania. I don`t know whether you mean 499 pounds or dollars (or Euros). Hora are the makers of Poller and those would certainly sell for a lot more than 499 whether you are talking pounds or dollars.


Liz

Oooh cool that`s a relief. I bought it for 499 quid on E bay and I thought i got ripped off. I had to replace the bridge, and they left some cheap strings on ebay. I`m getting new strings fron Ebay too.

Which reminds me, any ideas why my pegs keep slipping back - the strings go out of tune at least once a day and it`s really hard to tune (ok to be fair the strings that I have now is the Super sensitive Red label one - tacky, I know)? How do I `increase the friction` of the pegs so that it won`t keep slipping?

At aorst, you may need a new set of pegs, and those would have to be fitted. It is quite possible though that you can get the ones you have to work. Start by pushing them in as you turn. If that doesn`t work then try some peg paste, peg drops, or even rosin on them.

What you may well find is that the pegs will stick in one position but not in any other. if so then the thing to do, once your string shave stabilised, is to screw the adjusters anticlockwise as far as you can, then get as near as you to the pitch you want can using the pegs, but stay below the pitch you want, then go up the rest of the way with the adjusters. Once the strings have stabilised, that will often work.

Liz

Thanks Lizzie McGuire for the idea. I put some dry glue (the ones u can get in WHSmith) on the pegs - it dissolves in water easily if i want it removed. I then apply lots of rosin on one of the old bows that I dont use anymore. When the glue dries up on the pegs, i place the bow hair onto the bit of the pegs that touches the pegholes, and turn the pegs in one resolution. It works this way, so maybe you guys could try it too. Peg paste is a waste of money, i could buy a Dycem black hole with the same price on yucky peg paste!!

I`m not sure how clueless anyone here is, so I`ll just say what I know.

A cello (or instrument in general) should not be considered bad based on its place of manufacture. Normally, yes, there`s some correlation, but that`s biased. Duh.
What you should check for is:
1)What is it made out of?
2)Is it durable?
3)Does it sound right when I play it?
4)Is it sensitive to my movements?
5)Do I like the way it sounds?

All of those are important, and I wouldn`t buy an instrument of eBay for several reasons. One, you can`t test it. Plus, they will most likely rip you off (as has been noticed).
I recommend finding a shop near where you live that will sell one to you. Many times, they`ll even offer insurance. I`ve broken 2 cellos in 4 years. It`s important.
One last thing to note: antiquity doesn`t mean quality. TRUST ME.

And I`ve won the award for longest post. Yea!

two cellos in 4 years...maybe ur just violent

2 cellos in 4 years, wtf. Breaking 2 cellos in 40 years is still messed up. Quit the cello buddy, you obviously arent responsible enough to be playing.

I totally agree with Robert, even if its not the best cello, it doesnt matter, people with the worst instruments still make the most out of it. The more you play it the more the wood will get that beautiful timber sound.

Dont think about what you`re playing, think about why you`re playing it.