Trying out cellos in a wide price range

[TenorClef]

I've been trying out cellos ranging from 5k to 30k.  What I found so far is that between $5k and $10k there's always a flaw or two, most common one being different tonal qualities from A, D and G, C strings.  And D string sounding muffled under the ear as you go past 4th position.  As I go past 10k the occurrence of this flaw is significantly decreased.  Is this a function of the instrument itself or is it just the shop paying more attention to setup of more expensive cellos? 

[Rue]

Bit of both I'd imagine.

The time isn't put in to make less expensive instruments sound their best...part of the reason they're inexpensive to begin with.

No one is going to put in the time and effort, or pay someone to put in the time and effort, to try to make an inexpensive cello sound it's best.

...and, even if you did, when you go to sell the inexpensive cello, you'd never recoup that investment.

 

[Erica]

I'm in the same boat as you, trying cellos in this price range. So now I'm trying to talk myself into a 10K+ cello, lol. 

[Marty Kasprzyk]

11 hours ago, TenorClef said:

I've been trying out cellos ranging from 5k to 30k.  What I found so far is that between $5k and $10k there's always a flaw or two, most common one being different tonal qualities from A, D and G, C strings.  And D string sounding muffled under the ear as you go past 4th position.  As I go past 10k the occurrence of this flaw is significantly decreased.  Is this a function of the instrument itself or is it just the shop paying more attention to setup of more expensive cellos? 

Did you happen to notice if there were different strings were being used on the 5k and 30k instruments?

Good strings are expensive.

[TenorClef]

3 hours ago, Marty Kasprzyk said:

Did you happen to notice if there were different strings were being used on the 5k and 30k instruments?

Good strings are expensive.

They were all high quality strings, no cheapies used.  Good strings are expensive but if you want to sell instruments in 5k to 10k range (which is probably their big movers not 20k+ cellos) I'd imagine that's a small price to pay considering they pay wholesale.

Edited November 13, 2023 by TenorClef
extra word

[TenorClef]

2 hours ago, Erica said:

I'm in the same boat as you, trying cellos in this price range. So now I'm trying to talk myself into a 10K+ cello, lol. 

I'm in a pickle because 5k to 10k range cellos seem like a step up from my current instrument but I don't want to pay all that for just a step up.  Might as well spend a bit more to go two steps up right?  10k to 20k or so they are all so easy to play, great projection and balance across all strings.  But these still sound like an upgraded sound from 5k to 10k cellos.  Between 20k and 30k, I start to hear some really velvety sounds, sound quality I couldn't find under 20k.  In this range, even open A sounds marvelous on some cellos. Now I'm spoiled and the battle of wants vs needs wage.

[matesic]

We've all been there. By the time we find "the one" (that we love to play and also can afford) we may be too old to fully exploit it.

[Erica]

18 hours ago, TenorClef said:

I'm in a pickle because 5k to 10k range cellos seem like a step up from my current instrument but I don't want to pay all that for just a step up.  Might as well spend a bit more to go two steps up right?  10k to 20k or so they are all so easy to play, great projection and balance across all strings.  But these still sound like an upgraded sound from 5k to 10k cellos.  Between 20k and 30k, I start to hear some really velvety sounds, sound quality I couldn't find under 20k.  In this range, even open A sounds marvelous on some cellos. Now I'm spoiled and the battle of wants vs needs wage.

we are in the *exact* same boat then. My current instrument should be put straight in the garbage. It is a rental that develops more buzzes each week. Today my instructor and I were laughing that the pitch of the buzz changes as you adjust one of the fine tuners - its like an instrument until itself. And so yes, now I've found cellos I love for $$$$ and am engaged in a fierce battle of want vs. need.

[GoPractice]

What are your needs?

In the markets I visit, there are hundreds of cellos. For investment, find the most remarkable maker and deal with it. For the value, find the most playable instrument and deal with it.

Generally, I play a dozen violin/ vlas and four cellos a week. Though it has slowed down the past year, I think several cellos a months is reasonable.

Based on a geography or timeline, which is more important? On the low end, take a teacher. On the high end, take a dealer. 

[Rue]

4 minutes ago, GoPractice said:

...

In the markets I visit, there are hundreds of cellos. ...

You live in Utopia!

I had to buy the very first cello I've ever played. In other words...extremely limited options.

Well...I could have rented, but that wouldn't have helped much...probably be renting the same instrument.

[GoPractice]

Madame, 

Whenever you want to fly into Southern California... there are a half a dozen stores within an hour of LAX/ Burbank or Orange County/ John Wayne. Weisshaar II in Costa Mesa, Cauer's, Metzler's for the varietals. For specialties, another dozen suppliers. Give me a week, and will be happy to pick you up at any airport. There's an amazing deli off of Fairfax.

Other Metro areas also have remarkable shops. But though Yinfante purchases have not been bad, and I do many set ups for students that go off to college... they do require some work.

[Rue]

If I ever return to Socal, I will call you first thing!

That would be a treat! 

[TenorClef]

1 hour ago, GoPractice said:

What are your needs?

In the markets I visit, there are hundreds of cellos. For investment, find the most remarkable maker and deal with it. For the value, find the most playable instrument and deal with it.

Generally, I play a dozen violin/ vlas and four cellos a week. Though it has slowed down the past year, I think several cellos a months is reasonable.

Based on a geography or timeline, which is more important? On the low end, take a teacher. On the high end, take a dealer. 

Just to play, so all else equal I would want something NOT Italian to get best bang for the buck.  But speaking of "remarkable maker", can you buy a cello from a luthier like that between 20k and 30K?

[Geoffrey N]

Hopefully with a lot of luck you will run into a great sounding "French circa 1880" cello (or equivalent) that's well made but whose maker is unknown. Or perhaps commission a modern cello from a promising young maker who just won their first VSA medal but isn't famous or charging famous prices yet (after you try a couple instruments of theirs that you like)? There should be good playing options in this price range. To be sure don't overpay, but I wouldn't advise considering investment potential very much in this price range.

[TenorClef]

11 hours ago, Geoffrey N said:

Hopefully with a lot of luck you will run into a great sounding "French circa 1880" cello (or equivalent) that's well made but whose maker is unknown. Or perhaps commission a modern cello from a promising young maker who just won their first VSA medal but isn't famous or charging famous prices yet (after you try a couple instruments of theirs that you like)? There should be good playing options in this price range. To be sure don't overpay, but I wouldn't advise considering investment potential very much in this price range.

I prefer a modern cello vs older cello.  My current cello made in 2002 hadn't been played for over 20 years until I picked it back up this year.  Not a single crack or an open seam, just tune it up and ready to go.  I'm afraid to give up such robustness, if I can help it. 

[TenorClef]

20 hours ago, Erica said:

we are in the *exact* same boat then. My current instrument should be put straight in the garbage. It is a rental that develops more buzzes each week. Today my instructor and I were laughing that the pitch of the buzz changes as you adjust one of the fine tuners - its like an instrument until itself. And so yes, now I've found cellos I love for $$$$ and am engaged in a fierce battle of want vs. need.

I saw your other post, I think we are neighbors if you are in DC area. Have you been to Brobst?  I found a couple of cellos in 15k range, they basically played themselves.  Very easy to play, well balanced across the strings, loud under the ears, surprisingly my wife said it didn't sound any louder than other instruments in the price range as an audience.  They didn't have the tone I'm looking so I gave up on them but I still think about those two cellos. You might love them, shoot me a message if you are interested in more detail.