How about picking out a student cello?!

mom4
Tue, 15 Aug 2006 21:33:22 +0000

My son, rising junior in h.s., actually ended up paying less for his first full-sized cello, a “Frank Denti” Chinese cello from LA stringworks, set up by our local luthier, than for his nice sounding 3/4 cello. I don’t think he’ll be auditioning for music school with a $20,000 cello, either; this one sounds really good and cost $2,500. Really. He was trying out cellos up to $20,000, too, and this was the best. With stringed instruments, it pays to look around and not get stuck on the label. By the way, I read another cellist’s post on another site; he had the same experience and bought the Frank Denti.

Anyway, find a good dealer and look into rentals that go towards purchase or have good trade up policies. We first purchased my son a 1/4 cello from a reputable dealer, then struggled to find a 1/2 size from that dealer that we liked. Same went for going from 1/2-size to 3/4 and then 3/4 to full.

Still, Cellos2Go, Stringworks, and also you might talk to Claire Givens in Minneapolis. Even before that, visit the good dealers in your area, so you can try out cellos. Ask your teacher and read bulletin boards at music schools. Everybody grows and needs to sell their fractional cellos. Good luck!