What Makes A Good Beginner Cello?

StringWorks has been providing exceptional beginner cellos since 1997, founded by a professional cellist who performed with the Los Angeles Opera and on major motion picture soundtracks. When nobody else was offering quality cellos online, StringWorks made it possible for anyone to have access to a hand-crafted and professionally setup instrument designed specifically with cellists in mind.

Now that countless options of cellos are available online and in many more local music stores, it requires deeper knowledge and careful consideration to pick a good cello. It's wonderful that more people can explore the rich, resonant voice of the cello – often called the 'best' musical instrument because of its similarity range-wise with the human voice. However, it quickly becomes overwhelming to try and compare beginner cellos on the web, as many may appear identical to the customer – they are not. Quality varies dramatically, along with price, and it's challenging to compare some of the better student cellos and separate them from the 'CSO' (cello shaped object) musical disasters.

We are sharing our expertise about what makes a good beginner cello for those who want to play or who have a family member or friend who is ready to begin their cello journey. If you are truly looking for a toy just so a very young child can get acquainted with the instrument, then just go with the cheapest cello you can find. We hope that such experiences inspire those 3-year-olds to develop a lifelong appreciation of music! Chances are it will get dropped or broken before they would be ready to develop their technique. For anyone else regardless of age, commitment, or otherwise, just know that having a good beginner cello is vital to your enjoyment, learning, and long-term success.

How Much Does A Beginner Cello Cost?

Cello is one of the most beloved stringed instruments because of its deep, warm tone heard in everything from classical masterpieces to modern film scores. The two biggest hurdles we hear about from aspiring cellists are cost and the physical size of the instrument – cellos are larger than violins, so they naturally cost more to craft properly.

A good student cello does not have to break the bank! As with anything, you do get what you pay for, and this rings even truer for a handmade stringed instrument the size of a cello. That said, a good beginner cello is worth the investment over the tempting 'junk' that all too often looks too good to be true. Instead of going with the $800 or $900 cello that will hinder your musical growth – and most likely crack or warp – rent something you will actually want to keep, and something that will encourage good technique, not fight it. Most of the rental payments go towards the purchase, so it's like you're saving for the cello while using it. A good quality beginner cello costs starting at $1,595, making it relatively affordable (compared to the professional concert cellos that everyone dreams about!) Most people say they don't want to spend very much because they're not sure if the player will stick with it, but if they do, then you'll still have to spend that $1,595 and then you're stuck with a $900 cello. Nobody will buy it for more than $200, because they could get the brand new one for not much more. Similarly, if they don't stick with it, you won't be able to sell it and will be stuck with an expensive reminder. By investing in a good beginner cello, you give yourself the best chance for learning, and a good cello will actually retain its value on the aftermarket or appreciate through our trade-in program.

What to Look For in A Beginner Cello

Learning to play cello requires a good beginner cello – it's that simple. Imagine trying to ride a bike with pedals that aren't aligned or a handlebar that won't stay straight, or a wheel that wobbles uncontrollably. You will never develop the balance and coordination required to feel comfortable. Now imagine that same frustration magnified by the size and complexity of a cello! A quality student cello will be easy to use, forgiving, and offer a pleasant, rewarding sound that makes you want to practice. A good cello will allow you to produce a warm, rich tone without excessive effort, making those low C strings sing beautifully – a common source of joy for beginning cellists! The pegs will hold their position and tuning will feel manageable, even with the larger size. It will feel comfortable to push down your fingers on the longer fingerboard, and the bow will naturally be able to hit all the right strings one at a time across the wider bridge. These might sound like straightforward requirements, but cheap cellos will have maple pegs painted black that are impossible to turn on the larger pegbox; strings so high or heavy tension that you can't reach the fingerboard and your hands will cramp; and a bridge/nut so poorly cut that it's impossible to avoid hitting two strings, the string crossings feel awkward, and the bridge feet slide around or cause the bridge to collapse under tension. With cheap "cheese cutter" steel strings on a cello's larger scale length, there is no way for you to sound good. We are sorry that such a "cello" can be offered, as countless cellists never even had a chance to explore their musicality or quit because it was so frustrating or embarrassing.

'Good enough' is more than just a list: "solid carved maple, spruce, ebony, inlaid purfling." A quality beginner cello has to be the instrument that will help you improve technically and musically, especially given the physical demands of the instrument. Our Crescendo cello is an amazing cello for any beginner, developed by professional cellists with a professional level setup that takes 5-7 hours per instrument, quality strings, and a trade-in program that will allow you to upgrade if you ever want to!

The Critical Importance of Setup for Cellos

The size of cellos makes every detail of setup that much more impactful. What might be a minor issue on a violin becomes a major problem on a cello. Bridge height, string spacing, soundpost position, fingerboard curve – all these elements must be precisely calibrated for the larger scale of a cello. At StringWorks, our luthiers spend an average of 5-7 hours on every cello ensuring optimal playability and sound quality. This isn't just adjusting a few parts; it's a comprehensive process that transforms a good cello into a great one.

Cellos below $1,000 are typically laminate with poor setup, making playing difficult and frustrating. These inferior cellos have rudimentary materials and components, and it can sometimes be impossible to make them playable, no matter how much additional setup work is done. The physical demands of playing cello – from the spread of the left hand to the weight of the bow arm – mean that a poorly set up instrument will not only sound bad but can actually cause physical discomfort or even injury.

Why StringWorks Cellos Stand Apart

StringWorks cellos were developed with the expertise of professional cellists (our founder is a professional cellist!), resulting in superior tonal capability and playing ease at every level. When you're tired of the usual suspects, taken from the warehouse and sold with a factory setup, our instruments offer what cellists actually need: easy response, warm tone, and comfortable playability.

Each StringWorks cello features:

• Hand-carved solid tonewoods (never laminate)
• Professional components including quality ebony fittings
• Comprehensive 5-7 hour StringWorks Setup™
• Strings selected for optimal response (Prelude for fractional sizes, Kaplan/Helicore for full size)
• 14-day home trial period
• Lifetime trade-in guarantee

Choosing the Right Size

Unlike violins which come in many sizes, cellos typically come in fewer size options: 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 4/4 (full size). Proper sizing is crucial for comfortable playing and good technique development. A cello that's too large will cause strain and poor posture, while one that's too small will limit technical development. Our staff can help determine the right size based on the player's age, height, and arm length.

Adult Beginners Welcome

Many of our customers are adult beginners who have always wanted to play cello. The cello is actually an excellent choice for adult learners – its playing position is more natural than violin or viola, and its lower pitch is often easier for adults to hear and tune. Our Artist cello is particularly popular with adult beginners who want an instrument sophisticated enough for rapid advancement yet forgiving enough for learning.

Investment in Your Musical Journey

Buying a cello is not like buying an expensive piece of electronics – it's a manifestation, an extension of you, musically. When you purchase a beginner cello from StringWorks, we act as your personal shoppers, hand-picking the perfect instrument to meet your needs. Our staff includes cellists who understand the instrument from a performer's perspective, not just a retail one.

Remember, the cello's deep, resonant voice has captivated musicians for centuries. Whether you're beginning your cello journey, returning after years away, or helping a young musician get started, finding the right cello is essential. With proper guidance and a quality instrument, the cello can provide a lifetime of musical satisfaction.

Explore our Crescendo and other great student cellos, or learn more about how much you should spend on a cello!