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Message |
    
Dan Honemann
New member
Username: Danhonemann
Post Number: 1
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 04:35 am: | |
I should start by saying I know nothing at all about cellos. My girlfriend wants to learn to play and I wanted to get her a cello for her birthday. I finally ordered a Merano 760E from onlineguitar.com:
http://www.onlineguitar.com/index.php?id=474
However, the cello arrived with some damage so I let her see it for her birthday but told her I'd have to send it back for a replacement.
I only paid $320 for the cello with a hard case. What I am wondering now is if this instrument is playable, or if it makes more sense to spend more money to get one of higher quality. Online guitar also has a Cremona SC-175 that I was considering (for $400 with shipping), but beyond that the prices quickly jump to $600 and up and since I have no idea what a good brand to buy is, I don't want to spend so much without getting some advice from those who know.
Thanks so much in advance for any help you can offer.
Dan
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Daniel Burton
Senior Member
Username: Daniel
Post Number: 252
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 08:59 am: | |
Hurray, yet another Dan!
Great idea, a cello as a gift for a girlfriend! You're almost certainly about to see a list of responses to your query from chat members who have had wonderful experiences with StringWorks, and I agree in advance with the positive things they will say.
You're in a vulnerable situation, having no previous knowledge of cellos, and you most definitely need outside advice. Our experience with cello buying is considerable, and the consensus is that the StringWorks personnel, while it is true that they're there to sell stringed instruments, are honest and generous in their approach to matching customers with instruments. They are also expert in the field of stringed instruments and make this expertise available to beginning musicians. It is next to impossible to find this combination of knowledge and willingness to help elsewhere. That, along with the quality of their instruments, is why we're enthusiastic about StringWorks.
You don't have to be told that cellos are bigger than their little sisters, and you may have already discovered that they resultantly cost more. If your girlfriend isn't completely sure at this point that she wants to get into cello, you might consider a rental from StringWorks. It would give her a much better instrument to use while she decides whether she wants to invest the time and money to continue.
And read on, as my fellow SW posters eloquently express themselves.
Dan
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Heather
Member
Username: Emmacat
Post Number: 27
Registered: 06-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 09:12 am: | |
I agree with Dan B! I'd rent an instrument (and why not from Stringworks - they have a great reputation) until your girlfriend has a teacher who can tell her a bit about cellos: what to look for when buying, what kind of instrument you get in the different price ranges. And when your girlfriend knows more about what she wants - and knows that she wants to keep playing - buy her a cello for xmas! Or for her bday next year.
Meanwhile, as Dan B. said, just wait for the posts from enthusiastic Stringworks cello owners. There are many.
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kathyk
Senior Member
Username: Suzukimom
Post Number: 104
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 05:18 pm: | |
Well, cellos really are expensive. Once you get past that then it's not so bad, lol. To get a really playable cello you will probably spend more up front, or spend some on the Online Guitar one. One of my friends bought a 3/4 cello from that same seller, they did spend almost that much again at Shar to get it ready to play (strings, nut and fingerboard adjustment, I think a new bridge or adjusted the one it came with). It had a pretty decent sound by that time! One bad thing though with doing it that way is it's still a model XXX Merano cello, so you'd have a poor chance of getting your money back out of it when you want to sell. |
Joan Goldsmith
Advanced Member
Username: Cellojoan
Post Number: 89
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 06:40 pm: | |
Hi Dan,
Very cool move to get the girlfriend a cello. My husband did the same thing about 6 years ago. Problem was the cello was not very good. He paid about $700 for cello, case, bow and music stand. My teacher's hated the cello but I put on good strings and had the local luthier do some work and it started sounding pretty good. The improvement in my playing may have also helped.
Anyway, after 5 years of playing it, I decided I might just be serious about continuing so I bought a new cello from Stringworks. Believe me when I tell you that I tried to buy from many other vendors before I found Stringworks but either their pricing was very high, customer service and advice was non-existent, or their try out policy was too restrictive. Erik Kramer took the time to answer all my questions. Based on my input, he narrowed his recommendations to three cellos in varying price ranges and I selected two to try. I finally settled on the MTII. I am very happy with the cello, with Stringworks and especially with Erik for his patient and knowledgeable help.
Okay, there was a point here. A cello rental is probably the smartest way to go. Cello selection (at least in my opinion) is subjective. Some like a dark sound, some like a bright sound...yadda yadda yadda. Once she plays for a while, she will find her own preference. Then she might want to invest in a cello.
You will get all the credit for turning her on to cello playing (again?). There could be benefits. |
Cellopop
Senior Member
Username: Curtis
Post Number: 1057
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 06:09 pm: | |
Dan.
There are a number of good or great cellos out there. But I, like you, knew nothing about them. The best thing about Stringworks is no matter what level of instrument you choose, they take the guesswork out of selecting one and you'll get a quality instrument with great advice and service. My daughter is now on her second SW cello. (MTII upgraded from 3/4 Crescendo)
Leave the guitar shop to selling quality guitars.
Best of luck. She's a lucky girl. |
The Other Jamie
Senior Member
Username: Tidesong
Post Number: 480
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 02, 2006 - 08:07 pm: | |
And there are even pictures of Laura's teacher playing the MTII. I think. I should be reminded. |
Ian
Senior Member
Username: Newfish
Post Number: 430
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 03, 2006 - 12:25 am: | |
Easy Tiger...
"When I grow up, I want to be as smart as I thought I was."
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Ron Cox
New member
Username: Bluegrassbass
Post Number: 1
Registered: 08-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 02:43 pm: | |
Hi. I saw some posts about onlineguitar.com. I just ordered a bass from them which was supposed to be delivered in a week. It's been a week and a half and I can't even get Dave (from onlineguitar) to even give me the tracking number he said he'd have for me in two days. He never returns phone calls even though he says he will call me right back in 15 minutes. QUESTION! Has anyone else out there ever had dealings with them along these lines and if so, should I begin to wonder if I've just gotten ripped off? I probably can't get to the computer to keep checking for responses but if you wouldn't mind, please email me at roncoxsemail@yahoo.com if you have any info. THANKS! |
Quincy Summerlin
New member
Username: Qsummerlin23
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2010
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 08:22 pm: | |
I didn't get my own cello until I was sure I was going to continue as a serious cellist. And even then, I didn't get a top of the line cello. I bought a used Engelhardt, gave it a name, and am still playing it. When I can, I'll buy a better one. But I would never seriously buy a "high quality" cello online. I would buy one from a string shop. Anyway, taking your time, and working your way up from student cello, to maestro cello, can save you a lot of money. |
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