Berta Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 Hello dear community, I hope you can help me with a question about this cello. My uncle was an amateur musician who collected many instruments over the years, mainly guitars and wind instruments. He was not a dealer and had a mix of pieces—some valuable and others not. We recently came across this old cello among his belongings. It seems to be in poor condition and might need substantial repairs. I’m curious to know if it could be worth restoring or if it’s more likely just a low-quality instrument (perhaps a mass-produced Chinese piece). The cello looks quite aged, and I wonder if it might have some historical or regional significance. My uncle did travel through Germany often in the 1970s and picked up some instruments there. This one might be from that time, but there are no clear markings on it (at least none I could find). I’d love to hear your opinions—does it look like it could have value, or is it just a decorative piece now? Any guidance on where to look for more identifying details (like labels, specific craftsmanship signs) or advice about potential restoration costs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your expertise! Berta
jacobsaunders Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 It looks like a budget school cello from Markneukirchen or Schönbach (then Luby) from either before the 2nd world war, or slightly afterwards. You will need a proper violin maker to extensively repair/fit it up and clean it
GeorgeH Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 5 hours ago, Berta said: Any guidance on where to look for more identifying details (like labels, specific craftsmanship signs) Is the top and/or back solid wood or laminate (plywood)?
Wood Butcher Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 In the reflection on the back, it looks like there are grain lines, which you wouldn't see in radial cuts like plywood. But it is a basic cello regardless.
Rue Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 19 hours ago, jacobsaunders said: It looks like a budget school cello from Markneukirchen or Schönbach (then Luby) from either before the 2nd world war, or slightly afterwards. You will need a proper violin maker to extensively repair/fit it up and clean it Was the sunburst also popular in German instruments? For some reason I keep thinking Czechoslovakia.
Berta Posted January 5 Author Report Posted January 5 19 hours ago, jacobsaunders said: It looks like a budget school cello from Markneukirchen or Schönbach (then Luby) from either before the 2nd world war, or slightly afterwards. You will need a proper violin maker to extensively repair/fit it up and clean it Thank you! Yes, I will bring it to a luthier. I am just trying to assess if the investment is worth it... or if better we keep it as Haus decoration
Berta Posted January 5 Author Report Posted January 5 17 hours ago, GeorgeH said: Is the top and/or back solid wood or laminate (plywood)? I think is wood... but not completely sure. How can I tell?
jacobsaunders Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 1 hour ago, Rue said: Was the sunburst also popular in German instruments? For some reason I keep thinking Czechoslovakia. NB: Schönbach (Luby) was (is) Czechoslovakia. “Sunburst”??, is that what reminds you of a Canadian Sunrise?
jw_ Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 3 hours ago, Rue said: Was the sunburst also popular in German instruments? Did sunburst on guitar and mandolin tops start out as copying bad antiquing jobs on the back?
Rothwein Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 Sunburst was popular among Country and Bluegrass musicians since the 1920s-30s, I think. Maybe earlier. Paul McCartney's famous bass guitar was made in the late 1950's in Germany. I don't particularly care for it as a look, but I love the music they get out of it. 1 hour ago, groezy said: Did sunburst on guitar and mandolin tops start out as copying bad antiquing jobs on the back? My guess is Probably. Not necessarily *copying* bad antique jobs, but "inspired by" them.
GeorgeH Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 On 1/5/2025 at 7:56 AM, Berta said: I think is wood... but not completely sure. How can I tell? Look on the edge where the varnish has worn off or inside the f-holes to see if the wood is solid or layered like plywood.
jacobsaunders Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 5 minutes ago, GeorgeH said: Look on the edge where the varnish has worn off or inside the f-holes to see if the wood is solid or layered like plywood. these aren't plywood
GeorgeH Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 34 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said: these aren't plywood Probably not, but I thought I’d answer his question regardless.
Rue Posted January 7 Report Posted January 7 FWIW, both Canadian sunrises and sunsets can be spectacular! ...and Jacob didn't answer my question .
jacobsaunders Posted January 7 Report Posted January 7 3 hours ago, Rue said: FWIW, both Canadian sunrises and sunsets can be spectacular! ...and Jacob didn't answer my question . doesn't look much like the cello
Berta Posted January 12 Author Report Posted January 12 Thank you everyone for the help! Isn’t but weird, to find a sunburn in a German instrument?
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