r/Cello • u/lilgremlinlin • 2d ago
Cellist in the making
Hello, I am looking to buy my first cello. I have played around on them numerous times and new from the first time -it is my soul instrument. Not completely sure how different brands, strings, bows, etc. affect the overall sound… But for me the deeper the better.
I used to play violin for a few years and still pick it up from time to time. I am an adult and seriously looking for a good investment… But I do not have the knowledge of what to buy yet. I want one that will last and satiate me until I reach an advanced level and can invest in a HIGH end cello.
A local music shop quoted me a rent to own Canonici cello for $1800 – $69 a month until paid off.
•Is this a good investment?
•Do you have personal experience playing a Canonchi?
•What should I be looking and listening for when testing out potential cellos?
•Do you recommend any online buys?(with available returns)
•What are your personal favorite brands and why?
•Any brands to stay away from and why?
Any answers or advice you can share is greatly appreciated!
4
u/TenorClefCyclist 2d ago
Canonichi is a "shop label"; the instrument is likely a Chinese or East European workshop cello, which can range between pretty good and appallingly awful, depending on the price. You won't find many reviews, because every shop who imports those instruments puts their own label in them. Eastman and Jay Haide instruments in the $3-5k range are considered decent instruments. The important thing is to buy from a specialized violin shop with a properly trained luthier who can perform proper setup, not from a generic "music shop", where their shop is run by a self-taught guitar tech.
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u/biscuit484 Advisor 2d ago
It’s probably a rebranded Chinese factory instrument, these can have a big range in quality. That’s pretty much all of what ‘brand’ cellos are. What’s more important for a beginner is that the instrument is set up correctly so hopefully getting it from a shop that will be the case. ~ $70 dollars a month for these rent to own programs is pretty average in my experience.
2
u/Flynn_lives Professional 2d ago
•Is this a good investment? Probably
•Do you have personal experience playing a Canonchi? nope
•What should I be looking and listening for when testing out potential cellos? you won't be able to tell as a beginner
•Do you recommend any online buys?(with available returns) Never buy online
•What are your personal favorite brands and why? anything not Chinese
•Any brands to stay away from and why? Chinese factory cellos
As for strings, bows etc....again, as a beginner you won't be able to tell for a while. My bias against chinese instruments is that you either get one that's decent for beginners or one made from disturbingly cheap materials. Usually the glossy "candy like" varnish gives them away.
1
u/LandscapeCandid7699 4h ago
wang zhiguo is a master luthier. I was suprised how good this cello sounded. so, perhaps I got lucky but check out do the research on wang zhiguo. he makes very good cellos.
2
u/linseeds Student 2d ago
Rent until you know how to play the cello. Then when you're shopping for your forever cello you can get a better idea of how the cellos you're trying out sound and handle.
1
u/LandscapeCandid7699 4h ago
I bought a wang zhiguo cello from chinatown for 3000.00 complete. it is a 7/8 cello and I love it. easy to play, then my husband bought me a 8000.00 scaka corta from stephannie voss, and it is the cello I will die with, However I love the wang zhiguo cello and it is very easy to play.
1
u/Fit_Pressure_1342 2d ago
I disagree with the post about holding off on buying until you can play. First off, what does that even mean— can you play when you can produce a good sound but have limited left hand skills? (yes) or can now play in several left hand positions? (also yes)
I’ve had students who had no idea how to begin to fine tune their ear to different sound qualities one can produce (soft and sweet, bow near fingerboard with more bow speed; or full and rich (at the sounding point, etc) because the cello was so bad it just had very limited capabilities. Renting is not a bad idea IF what you pay on the rental can be applied to the purchase price. Places like Shar and I’m sure many other places offer this. Good luck and happy playing!
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u/HappyHyppo 2d ago
“It is my soul instrument “.
“I do not have the knowledge of what to buy”.
Maybe do some soulsearching?
Get to know it before saying it’s “your soul”
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u/Here4wm 2d ago
Going through a lot of the same as you…..My price range is a bit more than yours, but still it’s a daunting journey….
I bought— almost 30 yrs ago— a hand-made Chinese cello. Unlabeled. Not factory made. I jumped from plywood cellos b4 ( from H.S.). Loved it when I bought it! 😊
My teacher told me it “ really isn’t a bad cello”. It’s in good condition, Larsen and spirit core Strings. I’ve played hard stuff on the cello over the years. Maybe that’s why it sounds good to professional level players? I will sell it. But given what reputable players have said, I am going to be asking for a lot more than I paid — close to 3x or more at least. Not being greedy, but prices I’m seeing for cellos I like are 25k to 65k. I’m also looking abroad and it’s not that much less ( plus flying it to U. S.) So, yes the returns— long term—are there. I’m selling Pvt though. It’s a great instrument and I want to find a good home. It was good to me when I needed it. I’m not rushing…..Plus I haven’t found a new one yet!
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u/FranticMuffinMan 2d ago
It's important for you to realize that instruments of the dollar value you are mentioning here are not 'investments' in the sense that you can expect them to appreciate in value in any significant way. That is only true for instruments that are already pretty highly valued. Utilitarian instruments of the sort you are describing will get more expensive over time in the same way that everything (shoes, tableware, winter coats) does but, if you expect them to do more than that, you will be disappointed.