-
I wouldn't say I'm a super experienced cellist, but I did some research and got my cello on Gumtree several years back, and although I've had a few problems with it I think secondhand would be the way to go if possible.
As with anything new and affordable, especially aimed at beginners, there will be corners cut to get the instrument/bow/accessories to a 'reasonable' price, whereas a cello which has been played will hopefully have also been looked after - there's much less of a visible market for classical instruments, so I dare say the number of dodgy sellers are far fewer than with guitars and other popular 'gift' instruments around this time of year.
Unless she's quite small, you'll want a 4/4 full sized cello (maybe a 7/8 or a 3/4 if she's around 5ft and has small hands), and I'd say you'll be looking at a couple hundred pounds. As I'm sure you're aware you can spend limitless money on instruments, so not sure of your budget, but anywhere closer to a grand will get you a very nice cello secondhand although that might be excessive for a beginner.
If you do go secondhand, there are a couple of things to look out for. For the cello itself, the tuning pegs (at the head, and the tailpiece) should move freely. The bridge should be straight and perpendicular to the body of the cello. The soundpost should also be in place - if you look through the f holes there should be a post stood between the two sides of the cello, this helps the sound travel and greatly improves the tone - if it's loose, it will rattle around inside the body, and is a job for a professional luthier to fix. The bow strings should be plentiful and nice and clean, and you should be able to tension them (by turning the end) before the rod of the bow is straight. None of this should be a problem if the cello/bow have been used and looked after, I might add.
You'll ideally end up with a cello, a bow, a case, and some rosin (to apply to the bow strings) and maybe some sheet music to get her started. She might want to upgrade her bow once she gets familiar with it, but that's a whole other conversation!
Feel free to PM me with any other questions, as I'm aware this is a bit of an essay!
-
Oh, not sure of your travel situation either, but I just looked on Gumtree locally to me (Norwich) and there are a couple of very nice cellos in Norfolk and Suffolk...
Including this gorgeous 50 year old Czech one for £325. It's got new strings and a brand new bow, and was apparently recently maintained by the local string luthier (Simon at Woodbridge Violins, Suffolk) who has done work for me and is very good and a nice guy.
If the money (and desire to drive to Yoxford and back!) is there, that looks lovely. Only listed yesterday, too.
-
Amazing thanks. Well, it is actually because I am getting married next year so I am looking at what I need to save up in order to be able to buy one for her.
I don't have a car, but I do not mind travelling somewhere to get it if it is the right one. That one does look lovely and is within my price range for sure. -
Obviously in an ideal world you'd be able to get her there to try it to make sure everything is right, but that's probably not going to work if it's meant to be a surprise! As long as she's average height, that should be the right size, and from the pictures at least it looks to be a fine instrument. If I had the money/played mine enough to warrant replacing it, I'd be getting it myself!
Simon at Woodbridge's time is worth quite a lot of money too, so buying the strings and bow and having them replaced by him (and probably some other little details) probably covers a lot of that price anyway, and there's no way he'd send out a less than perfect cello after a repair, so it'll be perfect aside from the cosmetic bits which just add character.
-
I've got a ratty family heirloom from c.1920 going for £100*. Needs a bit of repair work but sounds perfectly usable as is. Leyton E10. It hasn't got a proper case - the original canvas one is on its last legs.
*NB if it ends up being worth £££ we will split it 50:50!
-
My partner plays cello and I play upright bass. I'd ask to hear every string played up and down the fingerboard. Listen for buzzes. Look for any separation at the seams between the top, sides and back. Also between the fingerboard and neck.
Mostly though, just see what it sounds like. I'd always say it's worth taking an instrument to a luthier once it's been played for a while to iron out anything you're not happy with. Minute things like sound post and bridge positioning can make a massive difference to the sound.
Also the bow. Try to see how much hair has broken and whether it'll be in need of a re-hair soon. That can cost a bit, but not a lot. Could be a good bargaining chip if you're looking for a reduction.
PhilDAS
thross
BobbyBriggs
JesperXT
cake
platypus
Ricochet
Fox
Thoma-
Post a reply
About
Cello Players (help me buy a Cello)
Posted by
@Hulsroy
Hi,
I need advice on purchasing a cello for my partner. I know a bit about guitars, but I don't think it translates very well to purchasing a cello she would like.
She has classical music experience as she was a quite talented recorder player in her youth.
She has been talking about learning to play cello for years and I'd like to give her that possibility, but I want it to be a surprise.
She is a super fast learner and I expect she will get quite far on her own quite quickly, so I want a good quality instrument she is not going to get tired of quickly.
So, what do I need to look for and how much would I need to spend?
Thanks,