Tijana MihajlovicTo help all those who are beginners in cello playing as well as students who are thinking about buying their first instrument, we’ve reviewed some of the best cellos and cello outfits that can currently be found on the market.
These are the best cellos for beginners:
1. Stentor 1108A
Cheapest, quality cello outfit
If you are on a limited budget and want to play your instrument, you should consider this cello outfit. In addition to being very affordable, this cello outfit also has very good reviews from users who consistently say the instrument exceeded their expectations.
The specification of this instrument includes solid carved spruce front and solid carved maple back and sides. It also has a very nice golden brown varnish and ebony fingerboard and begs.
In addition to the standard sizes, you can also find 1/10 as well as 1/16, which means that even the youngest cello players from just a few years old can play the cello that suits them.
- Great price for a beginner cello.
- Wood bow with natural horsehair is included.
- Padded cover with back straps.
- It may need to be replaced as novice players gain experience.
- Strings are best replaced immediately to get a nicer tone.
2. Cremona SC-130
A good affordable outfit for beginners
This cello is possibly the best choice for buying an instrument under $1000. As one of Cremona’s best-selling models, this instrument has a lot of good features – the top is hand-carved spruce, and the back and sides feature hand-carved maple. The fingerboard and fittings are polished ebony.
Pegs are Swiss-style and special care was taken to ensure that the distance between the strings and their height is optimal for precise hand placement and accurate intonation.
What needs to be done afterward is to set up the bridge, because the instrument comes with an unadjusted bridge for safer transport. It is best to consult a local luthier or ask an experienced musician for help setting up the bridge.
The instrument can be ordered in one of the four sizes offered: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4.
- Good price-quality ratio.
- Tailpiece with four fine tuners (very practical for tuning).
- Cello outfit – with the instrument you get a brazilwood horsehair bow as well as a soft cello case.
- The bridge must be adjusted.
- The quality of strings that come with the instrument is not great. By investing in a new set of strings the sound quality can be significantly improved.
3. Donato Salusti Model A
A solid instrument that will last
This instrument stands out for its ability to balance price and quality workmanship. At $1250, it’s surprisingly affordable given a craftsmanship that is mostly reserved for instruments in a higher price range.
What characterizes this cello is that it is fully carved and has ebony fittings. It has the sound that can only be achieved by exercising is warm and smooth, which is always a good incentive to practice.
With this instrument, you will also get a cello bag. The bow that you get when buying this particular model is a carbon bow.
Opinions on whether carbon bows are a good choice or not are often divided, mainly due to the properties of the material itself. Carbon can be bent after a few years, but even with such a bow, several years of playing are certainly provided.
- Good overall quality.
- Fully carved.
- Ebony fittings.
- Bow and case included.
- Carbon bow can be problematic after several years of playing.
4. StringWorks Crescendo
A highly rated instrument
Another great instrument in a favorable price range, which is very well rated online with a lot of positive comments from satisfied users. This cello is available in a wide range of sizes – 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8.
What you need to pay attention to is the fact that full-size cellos are often sold out, but if your purchase is not urgent and you can wait a while, this fact will not be a problem for you.
In addition to looking extremely beautiful thanks to the back, side, and neck of flamed maple and lightly antiqued amber-brown varnish, this instrument also features the highest quality ebony fingerboard and fittings, as well as Wittner composite tailpiece with built-in fine tuners.
On top of all that, you can choose the set of strings yourself – Kaplan, Crown, and Helicore strings are on offer, a quality of strings that you won’t have to think about for a while.
When we talk about the quality of the tone itself, a lot is promised – a balanced, consistent, and focused tone, with great resonance and depth as well as a brilliant upper register.
- Large selection of sizes.
- Very nice look of the instrument.
- Great choice of strings sets.
- Possibility to get a discount for buying a cello outfit.
- For this price you only get an instrument, the bow is not included.
- If you are buying a 4/4 instrument, there is a high possibility that your instrument will be backordered.
5. Krutz Series 100
An instrument with a large selection of cello outfits
Krutz instruments are primarily produced in Beijing after which they travel to Kansas City where they get the final look and final set-up.
This series of instruments is especially dedicated to students, and as they say, raises the bar for student-level instruments.
Several types of wood are used to make these instruments, namely seasoned spruce for the top, seasoned poplar for the back, ribs, and scroll.
What makes these instruments a little more special is the inlaid purfling, and the set of strings that came with the instrument is D’Addario Kaplan.
The price of these instruments is more competitive but they guarantee higher tonal quality.
- Many cello outfits can be found, ranging from those offering a beginner wooden bow and a simple soft case to outfits that include the Pernambuco cello bow and Hard Shell Ultralight cello case.
- Inlaid purfling.
- Set of Kaplan strings.
- Higher price range.
Conclusion
When it comes to buying a new instrument, the most important thing is to carefully assess whether it is the best option for you.
A key factor will also be what budget you have available. Sometimes it is good to wait and save some money to buy a solid instrument because it is an investment after all.
Even if circumstances change, a good instrument that is carefully maintained can be sold and even exchanged for a larger/better instrument.
