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debbie
n
Registered User
Posts: 1
(5/22/01 1:33:34 am)
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eBay
Cellos
I came across this site trying to educate myself at least a little
bit about cellos, since my 12-yr.-old son is very eager to play and
has been for a while. We home school, so no school rental program is
available. Have checked with local music stores, but prices are
expensive -- not as cello prices go, but for our budget to
afford.
Realistically, we cannot buy our son a $800-1200 dollar
"student model" cello.(And I realize that is a pretty "cheap" cello,
as prices go. Maybe we could if we saved up for about a year+ we
could afford this, but he would like to start playing before that.
After reading the posts about the cheap eBay cellos, here is my
question: So, would it be worth $175-$200 to buy an eBay cello, so
he can start now, or should we just forget about that and just make
him wait until we can afford a more acceptable beginner's model? If
we do get a cello from eBay, any advice about brand names or other
things to watch out for? I wonder what to believe on eBay. One
couple (sellers) said they were music teachers and recommended the
Cremona and said they shipped theirs "properly set up." But the
posts I have read here sound like we should avoid Cremona. Any
comments and advice welcome! Thanks.
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JanJan2
Registered
User
Posts: 149
(5/22/01 7:37:01
am)
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Re: eBay
Cellos
Did you ask about instrument rental at the music shops you visited?
This is an economical option - no big outlay of cash, and if it
turns out your son doesn't take to the cello, you've not lost a lot
of money. Also, many shops who rent allow a portion of your rental
payments to be applied to a purchase further down the road.
What you'd get for $200 on e-bay will probably be of such
inferior quality that it would actually inhibit your son's progress.
It would be difficult to play or nearly impossible to produce a
pleasing sound, and that would be very self-defeating for an
absolute beginner.
If there are no rental programs where you
live, I personally think you'd be better off to wait/save for a year
and get something that will be more pleasurable for your son to work
with.
Good luck.
Janet |
Mgatof2
Registered
User
Posts: 12
(5/22/01 12:05:35
pm)
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Rent!
I agree with Janet. Johnson String instrument in Boston has a
reasonable rental program for good instruments, as does Potters in
Bethesda. I called Johnson String (800-359-9351/Joan), and they rent
a full-sized at $90/3 months, $300/year.
Many of the better
violin stores close for the month of July, so if your child will be
home, perhaps they can make an introductory 'deal' for the summer
and reduce the regular cost further. Can you share one instrument
with another student?
Who will teach your child? Perhaps that
teacher has access to an instrument you can borrow, thus saving any
rental expense. Perhaps your local school has one to borrow over the
summer.
It is so important for a beginner to have an
instrument that is playable and where there is positive feedback
from working with (rather than against/around) an instrument. eBay
has instruments you might find in a band store - and that's not
where to look for a decent 'cello, regardless of price.
We'd
like to see your son realize his interest. Good luck!
Mark
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debbie
n
Registered User
Posts: 2
(5/23/01 12:48:26 am)
Reply
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Re: eBay
Cellos
Thanks for your advice. After reading your replies, we have spent
quite a bit of time on the phone calling stringed intrument stores
in our area. The one that sounded the most promising is KC Strings.
They said any cello they caried that was under $1200 was available
for rental and the price is $30 per month. ALL rent applies directly
to purchasing the cello. I guess they actually make some expensive
cellos at their shop and seemed knowledgeable about setting the
cello up correctly. I'm starting to feel very glad we didn't "jump"
into buying a cello on eBay. We came close. It looked like such a
good deal. I guess you get what you pay for.
--Debbie N.
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bmollon
Registered
User
Posts: 2
(5/23/01 3:31:09
pm)
Reply
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Re: eBay
Cellos
Please consider www.stringworks.com They have an excellent rental
program with fantastic quality and service. There are also regional
sites/representatives that may be in your area. You will be
impressed. I was. I bought my first cello through them and received
nothing but the best all the way around.
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