What should I look for when buying a cello?

Question:

What should I look for when buying a cello?

I want to learn to play the cello, what should I look for in purchasing?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: The Wikipedia website page on the cello is OK, but is also a serious case of TMI (Too Much Information) for someone interested in purchasing a cello with the intent of learning to play it. I two Masters Degrees in playing the cello, FYI, so you don't think I'm making stuff up as I go along.

Basically, I agree with some of the responses that you just need a workable cello which is the right size for you (if you're not yet the appropriate physical size to play a full-sized cello).

First of all, meet personally with a professional cellist - preferably the person who will be teaching you how to play the instrument. Nobody says you have to show up with a cello to get considered for lessons, and many music schools or grade schools with music programs will have instruments that you can borrow at little or no cost to yourself. Obviously, this is preferable to your paying for an instrument up front when you're a beginner. Your teacher-to-be will best be able to advise you on the size of instrument that you'll need, and should also be able to advise you on where to get your first instrument (if not, find another teacher, because the one you've found isn't any good). As for the size of the instrument, remember that there aren't particular models for people of particular size once you are fully grown and a more advanced player. Musicians playing on a full-size cello come in all kinds of different heights and shapes, simply because nobody will bother making a quality instrument that's smaller than full size (yes, you can ask a luthier to make a cello a particular size for you, but that's beyond the scope of this answer).

If, for whatever reason, you decide to purchase your own cello, the quality of the instrument is not all-important at first (though it will become so if you are serious about practicing and playing it).

The respondent to your question who wrote "You do want an instrument that has been set up appropriately, as improper set up (as of the bridge, strings, fingerboard, and endpin) can be an unnecessary distraction" is correct, nevertheless, this isn't a major issue, as a cello isn't like a PC that needs to be "configured." Simply put, it's unlikely that a cello in really poor condition will be given to you if you get the proper advice from a professional or if you buy it from a reputable website or dealer in fine instruments.

As for cellos being enourmously expensive and a beginning kit costing around $750...well, that's just incorrect considering that you're looking for a cello for a beginner. As I mentioned above, you should have plenty of opportunities to borrow a beginner's cello from your school (if it has a music program for strings) or a community music school. If this option is not available, do some comparison shopping on-line using www.bizrate.com by typing in "cello orchestral instruments." E.g., Overstock.com lists a cello, bow and carrying case (just about all you'll need except for resin to put on the bow, which should run you about ten bucks) for $319.99 available in 1/2, 3/4 and full sizes. I'm not saying that's the instrument to buy, but it gives you an idea of starting prices that are significantly lower than $750. Disregard all the marketing hype about "orchestra approved" and the kind of baloney from the kit vendor "Shar" quoted in another answer to your question:

"Beginning cellists require a cello that possesses a pleasing tone, balanced response, contrasts in dynamic range (volume) and forgiveness of general response to help instill confidence in an inexperienced player."

This is just verbal nonsense (speaking very politely) to make you think you need a more expensive model since it'll supposedly make you play better from the get-go. SUCH AN INSTRUMENT HASN'T BEEN INVENTED!!! At least not for beginners, though arguably a $5 million Stradivarius CAN make a professional cellist play better... but you can start thinking in those terms in around 10-12 years after your music degree from Juilliard. Again, your future teacher should be able to advise you on instruments and any internet research that you do.

I have never purchased a cello online, but if there's a proper return service, it may be a better place to get one than in a music shop. Typically, your neighborhood variety music shop selling many different kinds of instruments other than cellos will only have one or two models available, and these are, in my experience, generally not be the best price or the best quality at the given price. If you're near a larger city, chances are that you can find a store that specializes in string instrument sales and repairs, but such shops typically stock more expensive beginner's instruments and tend to charge more for them.

As for more expensive instruments once you're past the beginner's stage (which will take anywhere from 1-3 years, depending on how much practice you put in), such instruments DO get more expensive. If you're lucky, you may be able to find an older European instrument starting at around $1,500 (I've seen and heard some excellent instruments in that price range, but typically, you'll need to have connections with a violin maker and seller to find instruments like that) and going up to around $3,000 (these are ballpark figures, remember). The good news, if these prices are making your head reel, is that you're not going to throw your instrument out once you're ready to progress to the next level of playing or instrument quality. While your first student cello probably won't appreciate, it also shouldn't lose a lot in value if you don't put too many dents in it or cause it to break or crack. Once you're in a price range of $1,500 and more for your next cello, chances are that it'll actually appreciate somewhat.

Good luck and enjoy playing a wonderful instrument!