Can you get any good Italian Cello for $100K USD???

[Sancassani]

The discussion above is about $100K budget, but if you have $1-2 million, what kind of cello are you looking for? In this price range, some of great Italian makers can be the target, if not the Guarneri at $2.2M. I agree there are really mediocre modern Italian cellos if compared to French, English, German contemporaries, considering the price difference. $1-2 million is of course huge, so at this price range do you guys recommend great non-Italian makers such as Vuillaume as well? Or is the price already far irrelevant to the sound? 

[violinnewb]

I recently found this YouTube of Cellist Andres Diaz, who is a wonderful cellist that I was able to once meet, and since this post was resurrected, I will post the video.  

 

[Shelbow]

43 minutes ago, violinnewb said:

I recently found this YouTube of Cellist Andres Diaz, who is a wonderful cellist that I was able to once meet, and since this post was resurrected, I will post the video.  

 

I watched that video, very interesting!

[violinnewb]

7 minutes ago, Shelbow said:

I watched that video, very interesting!

Right?  Even when he had a Chinese Cello fail on him in the last minute, he still went with another Chinese cello and continues to advocate for them.

Now, personally, I say why not?  Maestro Diaz is clearly confident enough in his own playing and skill, plus confident enough (overall) in the quality of sound of these instruments to go on record and promote modern chinese cellos.

[Shelbow]

But also for him it's a practicality issue, so you have to bear that in mind regarding his decision. It's viable from a cost point of view because the instruments are relatively cheap but well made. Not necessarily amazing, but they suit what he needs to do.

However, I do know of some concert cellists that do enjoy a good modern instrument (not necessarily expensive ones) over historical ones.

Each to their own I guess.

 

 

[Eloffe]

My 1936 Italian cello was purchased ten years ago for less 10k

[Navyasw02]

Country of origin should be ignored. We collectively poo poo anything made in China and that makes as much sense as fawning over ourselves for an Italian. Good makers with good technique and good materials make good instruments, not their passports.

[cellopera]

8 hours ago, Navyasw02 said:

Country of origin should be ignored. We collectively poo poo anything made in China and that makes as much sense as fawning over ourselves for an Italian. Good makers with good technique and good materials make good instruments, not their passports.

Unfortunately, the market is of a different opinion, especially dealers and collectors. I also only care about quality since I’m working with sound for a living, but it will take a few more generations for things to change.