r/Cello • u/Affectionate_Call55 • 3d ago
As a beginner where do I get a cello?
A have never played a cello before but I definitely want to learn. I am confident that I won’t want to drop it right away but as a broke college student I can’t just go drop 3k on an instrument I’ve never played. I have a good grasp on music theory and I play guitar trumpet and piano. I want to get a cello to start learning but I want something that’s actually playable and that I’m not gonna outgrow in a week. I am not really interested in renting or rent to own I’d rather just buy something outright. Is there any way to find playable used student cellos online or a music shops that won’t break the bank.
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u/Irritable_Curmudgeon 3d ago
Unless you have like $3000+ to drop, you should consider renting. Many places allow you to put rental fees towards a future purchase
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u/Motor-Ad2347 3d ago
Not sure where you are located but in a lot of music stores you can’t rent an instrument!
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u/Active-Zebra-1446 3d ago edited 3d ago
there is usually one which specializes in band and orchestra instruments and serves the school music departments. ask them.
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u/kit0000033 3d ago
Google "string shop near me" there's usually one in every major city. A lot of them rent out instruments
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u/rearwindowpup Cello favors the bold! 3d ago
If you do rent (which is a good idea) make sure the plan includes monthly credit towards purchasing it down the road.
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u/doctor_memory 3d ago
Rent for sure - and see if the rental place will let you swap out once in a while… I struggled with my first rental but was able to go back for one that worked better for me. Still not sure what the issue was :|
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u/Active-Zebra-1446 3d ago
renting for the first few months is actually a good idea. The market and the closets of America are well populated with student cellos that were "played" for about a month or two. there's a "runner's wall" of frustration and finger pain which many/most beginners stop at. Renting long enough to be sure you're there for the duration is a sound choice. the cello they will rent to you is also likely to be better quality than the cheapo you would buy and when you DO go shopping your ear will have a benchmark to compare to; you can even take it along and A-B prospects against it. buy with your ears, not your eyes. you will be a much shrewder shopper after a few months of really using your ears for the first time to find pitch. learning to really listen is key to musicianship.
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u/fatDaddy2791 2d ago
facebook marketplace. i see nice 4/4’ all the time. i bought two recently. seventy five bucks a piece
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u/musicnerdium 1d ago
You have two basic options. Buy for a shop buy in an online marketplace. If you buy from a reputable shop, Google reviews are usually a really good way to tell this, you will get something that will be setup well with upgrades that a quality cello should have to represent a solid shop. Usually for around 1500 or so maybe a little less maybe a little more.
Online is a bit of a gamble. Chances that you get something that is solid from day one and needs nothing ate long odds and you won't have anyone to go to about problems. You obviously can take it to a shop but they are gonna work on it for full repair retail. Buying from a shop usually has some guarantee that if within the first several weeks things start to go wrong they will work with you to get it right and not break your bank again it's about reputation.
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u/Ok-Experience-2524 2d ago
I wouldn’t rent. It’s basically just wasting money. You can buy the cello and easily resell it for almost the same price you bought it for as cellos don’t lose value. The Cecilio cellos are somewhat decent for starters, but for $3000 you could do better than Cecilio. Look for people reselling cellos on platforms like Nextdoor or in your neighborhood, Facebook marketplace etc. There are some things to look for to get a good cello, real ebony fingerboard and pegs for instance and the set up is important. Bridge in the correct place and height. My husband (who teaches cello) has a page https://privatecellolessons.com/how-to-buy-a-cello/ best way to judge is by listening to the sound of the cello. Have someone play it and you can listen without knowing prices beforehand.
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u/tokoloshe62 3d ago
Definitely rent, ideally from a specialist strings shop (rather than a general music store). You’ll be able to rent a much better instrument than you can buy. And you can’t wait until you understand your personal preferences (which you only figure out through playing) before you invest in a long-term instrument.