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first cello

Author	Comment
cellist49	first cello	Lead	[-]
Posts: 1 (07/17/04 11:04:18) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None hello everyone! im proud to say that im looking for my first cello! I've been playing for two years now and currently in a youth orchestra. However my cello was a borrowed cello from school, now that i have graduated from that school, I no longer can borrow the cello so now i am looking for a cello. I do have a cello but it's in need of repair. Basically i have the parts but it needs to be put together again (pegs, strings, bridge, etc.) also there is some wood stripping in the back, not too much just one piece. It's a Kay cello (kay is now englehardt). I took it to get repaired but they told me that the wood stripping in the back can not be fixed and to fix it i would have to re-finish the whole cello. So now I don't know if i should just get a new cello or fix my current cello. Is it worth it? I feel that this kay cello is a good cello it just needs the repair. And if i get a new cello, where can i get a good quality one for a good price? If someone can answer these questions for me i would greatly appreciate it Thanks so much -Vanessa
Noviere	Be careful	#1	[-]
Active CelloChatter Posts: 218 (07/17/04 12:00:12) Active CelloChatter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I recently had a similar experience, though i doubt you are going to luck out on a pro cello for $1000. I would look into Geigen and Cellobou cellos, they have excellent student models, though i may be wrong. Since you are in a youth orchestra i would make sure of how the cello sounds rather than looks. Yes its nice to have blinding glare reflect off the curves of ur instrument but its really about the sound. I had an old french cello, brutally beaten before i had her but she sounded better than some pro cellos, honest. Wutever u do, dont buy off the kennely keys rentals. They have rummage sales and a few good cellos but dont go for the rentals. Always test out the cello before u buy, duh... Test out especially the A string for clean sound on the very high notes, and the c string to make sure it doesnt have to loose of a sound, often the fingerboard has slight bends in it, this may or may not happen but always check. The bridge may need a little sanding here and there. Are u short cause then u may want to get a smaller cello for a short time until u are ready for a full size. well goodluck and hope to see u in high places. Chao Noviere Da Cellinator
Bob	Re: first cello	#2	[-]
Reticent CelloChatter Posts: 2900 (07/17/04 13:54:40) Supporting CelloChatter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The safest and best place to start is at www.cellos2go.com.
Andrew Victor	Spelling might be everything!	#3	[-]
Reticent CelloChatter Posts: 4291 (07/17/04 15:13:34) Supporting CelloChatter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Is this wood "stripping" or a "striping" ? Could it be a piece of the purfling (probably misspelled) the very-thin triple strip that surrounds the entire bottom (and top) of the cello? It is never "necessary" to refinish an instrument. I played for 40 years on cello that had rib holes covered with scotch tape. It was fine - and even after I found a luthier whose charges were commensurate with the instrument's value it did not sound better after real repair - just looked better. I had to play a KAY cello once (one semester 40+ years ago) when the neck had broken off the aforementioned cello. It struck me that it would have been better to poke a broomstick through the cello's top, hang a sail on it and send it far out to sea (maybe on fire), Nevertheless, it was possible to play orchestral solos (as I had to as principal cellist) - but only because I knew what sound was wanted and was able to work hard enough (including unbelievable strong vibrato) to achieve it. Even so, during one performance my left hand was working so hard that it actually flew of the neck (I missed the end of that note!) I doubt if they still sell cellos that are that bad - international competition is just too strong. Andy
Tracie Price	The scary thing is	#4	[-]
Reticent CelloChatter Posts: 2195 (07/17/04 23:00:57) Supporting CelloChatter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That there are many instruments worse than Kays out there these days. I would really hesitate to go throwing money into this cello. Definitely do NOT have it refinished! I'd just keep playing it while you save up until you can afford a good student cello. DO take Bob's advice to visit with Ellen at cellos2go.com! I wonder how many of us started on a Kay cello? Especially considering how many schools owned them! I did, and it was an oooold one. Still, it didn't sound all that bad compared to some of the things I've seen stores renting out to unsuspecting victims these days.
Todd French	Re: Spelling might be everything!	#5	[-]
Reticent CelloChatter Posts: 1181 (07/17/04 23:23:20) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"I doubt if they still sell cellos that are that bad - international competition is just too strong." Andy...you'd be surprised. Englehardt/Kay is not worried about competition as they sell through the large musical instrument distributors to music stores. These uber-catalogs just make it easy for the music stores to place their order for cellos right after horn swabs, clarinet reeds, and cornets. The cellos are exactly the same as they have always been - plywood front and back, sunburst lacquer finish, 143 pounds or thereabouts, and 'ebonized' fingerboard and fittings. Same 'technology' that they had in the 40's - same design. It's a solid (literally and figuratively) seller among local music stores who really don't WANT to look at the competition, after all, the locals will still buy them...
Senator33	Kay Cellos	#6	[-]
Active CelloChatter Posts: 427 (07/18/04 08:23:46) Active CelloChatter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yes...I also started on a Kay, though it was a Kay bass. All Kays have a similar problem of broken necks. In the vernacular of bass players, there is a special long steel bolt that is used to repair a broken instrument neck - known as a "Kay bolt". for that reason and many others, don't improve the Kay cello. There are a lot of makers and good deals out there. If you are shopping, Cellostogo is a good start. Also check with Barbara Duffy of Duffy Rare Violins, Inc. [Miami] 305-448-0192. Whatever you do, make sure you have someone that can do a good setup and adjustments from time to time. Good luck!

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