MikeD Posted December 3, 2024 Report Posted December 3, 2024 I would be grateful for your thoughts on this cello. I understand that the quality of the photos is not very good, but these are the only ones available. I am planning to go try this cello, and would like to hear opinions on what kind of instrument it might be. I19th century German cello?
Rue Posted December 3, 2024 Report Posted December 3, 2024 Looks German. Nice wood on the back. Seems to be looked after, and also well played. Might need some TLC though. Don't know how much more one can deduce from these photos, though... looks good on a couch?
Blank face Posted December 4, 2024 Report Posted December 4, 2024 23 hours ago, Rue said: Nice wood on the back. Seems to be looked after And has a nice long soundpost crack in the belly.
Blank face Posted December 4, 2024 Report Posted December 4, 2024 As the OP already said, the photos are falling far short and I would not exclude at all that it could be something old and nice. But to tell anything in particular we would need really in-focus photos of all relevant parts and details.
LCF Posted December 4, 2024 Report Posted December 4, 2024 8 hours ago, Blank face said: And has a nice long soundpost crack in the belly. The photos aren't clear enough to tell whether there is a repaired sp crack or rather if it is two different pieces of wood joined in a strange place. There does seem to be however a bass side saddle crack and one other nearby.
MikeD Posted December 5, 2024 Author Report Posted December 5, 2024 thanks for the answers! in a few days I will visit this cello and take more photos , it will also be interesting how good this bow is, that is selling together with this cello
Rue Posted December 5, 2024 Report Posted December 5, 2024 Take pictures (er, the proper kind for ID) of the bow too!
MikeD Posted December 8, 2024 Author Report Posted December 8, 2024 Yesterday, I visited this cello. Despite its condition, it sounded quite decent! However, its state is so dire that it's definitely not worth buying and restoring
Blank face Posted December 8, 2024 Report Posted December 8, 2024 1 hour ago, MikeD said: its state is so dire... Agree that it seems to be a nice 19th century Saxon Dire Strait , one could become a Sultan of Swing with it, but in the actual state it's just Money for Nothing.
GeorgeH Posted December 8, 2024 Report Posted December 8, 2024 4 hours ago, MikeD said: However, its state is so dire that it's definitely not worth buying and restoring The soundpost crack in the front looks on the surface like it was repaired. One cannot tell from the pictures which other cracks have possibly been repaired. Importantly, one cannot tell from the pictures the quality of any repairs. Without a thorough examination by a luthier inside and out, it is difficult to say if it is worth buying and repairing. If it was free, would it be worth repairing and restoring?
Rue Posted December 9, 2024 Report Posted December 9, 2024 Hmm...a lot more cracks than the initial photos suggested there were...
MikeD Posted December 22, 2024 Author Report Posted December 22, 2024 yes! from a distance it didn't look so tragic, but up close it's the worst condition instrument I've ever seen (that can still be played)
MikeD Posted December 22, 2024 Author Report Posted December 22, 2024 On 12/8/2024 at 4:46 PM, GeorgeH said: The soundpost crack in the front looks on the surface like it was repaired. One cannot tell from the pictures which other cracks have possibly been repaired. Importantly, one cannot tell from the pictures the quality of any repairs. Without a thorough examination by a luthier inside and out, it is difficult to say if it is worth buying and repairing. If it was free, would it be worth repairing and restoring? to be honest, I think it would be worth restoring unless it was really free, and as a "very valuable family heirloom", and considering that the seller is selling it about 20% cheaper than the same instrument in good condition, it's definitely not worth it
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