I'm going to buy a cello soon and I was checking this one out: http://www.theyellowtags.com/cecilio-cco400-german-type-ebony-fitted-all-solid-wood-cello-p-15.html

I would like you to check it and tell me what do you think, thank you very much.

I know many people will reply with cries of indignation at the mere thought of a beginner purchasing an instrument like this, but many people cannot afford expensive instruments, and so rather than tell you not to buy the instrument, here's some advice:

Go to eBay and do a search for "Cecilio cello" - you can get exactly the same instrument for $280. Right down to the same CC0-400 code.

This cello isn't too bad for a few reasons: It's solid wood, as opposed to laminated wood, the parts are ebony as opposed to "ebonised," the tailpiece has inbuilt fine tuners so you don't sacrifice string length for additional, rather than built in tuners, and it has inlaid purfling.

All those extras they throw in aren't worth much, to be honest. The cello stand and the pitch pipe are useful. Personally I wouldn't use the extra set of strings or the rosin cake - both will be rubbish. I've bought a cello like this from eBay, and it needed a few things changed before it sounded really good. I'm betting it will be the same with this instrument. So, when you get it -

1.) Change the strings. You will be amazed at what a difference this will make. I personally use Evah Pirazzi A and D, and Flexocors on the G and C. You can get good brand name strings very reasonably priced at www.concordmusic.com. A nice set of strings will probably cost at least $100.

2.) Buy a nice type of rosin. The stuff that came with my eBay cello was unbelievably bad. Get something nice like Pirastro cello rosin - it only costs about $15 and believe me, it is absolutely worth it. Don't underestimate a good rosin - this is what gives your cello a voice.

3.) Get a new bridge and a soundpost adjustment - you'll have to take your cello to a luthier (person who builds cellos, not somebody from a general music store) for this. The bridge that comes with this cello is a "one size fits all" type of bridge - for the vibrations of the strings to really travel down into the body of the cello (in effect, making a nice tone) you need the feet of the bridge to be carved specifically for your cello. You'll notice that good quality bridges are also made of much harder wood and are finer - which allows the vibrations to travel more easily.

Also - the bow probably won't be great, but it is useable. Mine was, at least. If you can get a student grade bow from a string shop (here, they sell for about $85 - which isn't much for a bow!) your cello will sound much better.

Once all this is done, I think you'll have a pretty decent cello. It sounds like a lot to have changed, but honestly until that's done, the cello might not sound too nice. You'll still be able to play it - I played my eBay cello for about 8 months without doing any of the above changes... but once I did - wow! You'll notice a big difference.

Good luck!
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