How Much Does a Cello Cost

The cello is not as popular as its smaller relative, the violin is. But to be sure, it is trickier to play and is pricier too. So whether you are a beginner student who has not ever tried playing the cello or are currently studying using a rental, there will come a time when you will eventually need to invest in an instrument of your very own. “So how much does a cello cost?” might be your first question. Choosing and buying your instrument can be a very overwhelming experience especially when you don’t have first hand idea on what to consider as you go. Basically, you will need to have an idea on the cost of cellos or the price range, where to buy them, and how will you be sure that you will be getting your money’s worth on your instrument. Aside from cello prices, let’s take a short run through what you will need to consider when deciding to buy your own cello.

Low or High-end Cello?

When buying a cello, you have to know first if you want an instrument that will be suitable for a beginner or for an advanced player. This is very important because it will determine which price range you will be buying from and will address your primary concern on how much does a cello cost even before you go on an actual shopping trip.

Cello prices at the low-end for student models start from $2,000 to $5,000. What you will get is a generic instrument with parts mass manufactured in a factory. Only the assembly of the parts had been done by hand. When you aim for the $10,000-$25,000 high-end price range, you get a better instrument that is made with more attention to details. The cost of cellos in the high-end price range is determined by the details and to what pattern it was made from. Some of them are made after Stradivarius patterns and are made by master craftsmen. You can be sure that the details and parts were all made by hand.

Knowing the prices, you must still take into consideration the player of the instrument. Beginners like low-end cello because the sound is produced easier while high-end cello require more effort and skills to play.

There are also cellos that are termed as “collector’s item” where cello prices can run up to millions of dollars and are usually antique. They are collected and curated by shops or organisations and are sometimes sold on auctions.

Where To Go Shopping?

Now that you have an idea on the expense in purchasing a cello, you need to know where to start looking for your instrument. There are two most obvious places to hunt for cellos which are in shops and online. It is a good idea to browse for cellos in physical stores especially if a lot are around your vicinity.

You can start your search at your local malls. They stock a variety of instruments and might just have a cello or two in their shop. Try to find a store where there are a lot of models to choose from. This will give you better options and more stretch. A better way to shop is in a luthier’s shop because they really specialise on these instruments. Look up shops on the internet that you can visit on some days; you might just find your very own cello from some smaller speciality shops that are not in the malls.

But if you have a drought of music shops in your area, you might just need to opt for browsing and buying online. Your eyes will dance at the prices listed but please proceed with caution. Always remember that if you go for the cheaper cello that are under the usual price range, you might be in danger of getting ripped off. On the other hand, expensive models might not always mean that they are quality pieces worth investing on. In other words, the cost of cellos online might not be up to what they are expected when it comes to real quality. You will think you snagged a very good deal on that cheap cello but later find out that you need to break the bank for re-tunings and other back jobs you have to get done on it. Your best move when shopping online is to buy from trusted online shops. Consult your teacher or ask around in online music groups if they can suggest a few reputable online shops to you.

Tips and tricks In Purchase 

How much does a cello cost and where to go shopping for quality models that will suit your individual needs are the basic things we have covered so far. Here are a few more tips and tricks to help you on your cello hunt.

• Don’t buy the first cello you set your eyes on at the mall. Walk on, browse, check out and compare cello prices and models in each shop that you go to.
• Put the instrument on a road test. Play it in the shop, inspect each of its nook and crannies, and make sure that you are comfortable with it.
• Don’t go shopping for your cello alone. Bring your teacher or an expert cellist with you so you can have some helpful advice about your choices.
• Always remember that foreign sounding brands are not always the best or the most reliable.
• Ask the shop; whether online or on site, about return policies and possible trade-ins in the future for when you want a newer model.
• If you bought your instrument online, check for damages as soon as it arrives. It is also better that you don’t attempt to play or tighten the instrument by yourself. Take it instead to your teacher or an expert who can do it for you and prevent any damages.
• Invest in a good quality bow that will give you more years of use rather than a plastic one. Consider buying extra accessories such as strings and rosin, too.

The cost of cellos are quite on the pricier side but if you are careful and make use of what you have learned above, you will be good to go. Hopefully, these tips will give you more bang for your buck and help you on your search for that very own cello of yours. Good luck!