The 8 Best Beginner Cellos: Reviewed for Entry Level Players

From the particulars of the modern electric and silent cellos to the uniqueness of the hand-crafted cellos, the remainder of this article will fill you in on everything else to help you make a better decision.

Let’s Start by Learning Some History About Cellos

The earliest discovery of Cello is believed to be back in the 16th century and dates to when Andrea Amati had started manufacturing instruments for Charles IX, the King of France. Of course, not many people knew about this instrument back then and Cello was too expensive or out-of-reach for peasants and the general public. 

After Amati, it came down to Stradivarius - the famous cello maker who opted to design and produce this instrument. He improved his designs from the late 17th century to the early 18th century - some of his original pieces are still owned and played by enthusiasts today!

What to Consider When Buying a Cello

Since you’re now up to date with the top beginner cellos out there, as well as the rich history of this instrument, let’s get you up to pace with the top factors to consider when getting one:

Pegs 

Celly pegs need to be made out of ebony or some other hardwood material since they have to withstand the tension of the strings they’re tied to. Just make sure they’re sturdy enough to withstand the tension and you’re good to go.

Fingerboard

The fingerboard - also known as a fretboard on the fretted instruments - is the long wooden thin strip that rests the strings against it to produce the right chords. A fingerboard should be easy to hands/fingers and improve a beginner’s learning curve.

Size

Cellos come in a couple of sizes - 4/4 is considered as the full-size. We’d suggest you get yourself a full-sized one since that’s what most orchestras will support. It offers the widest tonal diversity. However, if you’re buying a cello for your kid, you’ll have to buy one of an appropriate size so their learning curve improves instead of slowing down. 

Materials/Finish

The classic maple finish with a spruce top is widely seen and for all the good reasons. Sometimes, you’ll see poplar used on the back and sides - this surely does have an effect on the sound and people usually choose to opt for it or out of it by preference.

Similarly, there are laminated wooden sheets on cellos out there and that’s something you want to avoid at all costs! Moreover, the pegs, tailpiece, and fingerboard are typically made out of a darker and stronger wood - the latter is to ensure that these areas can withstand the pressure exerted on them.

Bow

One bow can respond differently to different instruments and that’s exactly why experts suggest buying a bow only after you’ve bought a cello. Almost all beginner kits come ready with a bow but more often than not, even the teachers would suggest their students get a quality bow. A rule of thumb, in this case, would be; to spend only 25% - 35% of your cello’s price.

Tailpiece

The tailpiece of a cello has a tuner that helps a cellist raise or lower the pitch - it attaches to the lower end of the cello to the cello string. 

The tailpiece should ideally be made out of ebony, stronger hardwoods, or allows like steel. 

Strings

Strings with a core sound richer and have a fuller sound. The all-metal strings have a bright, more echoing sound. The ones your cello on default comes with are usually not that good and you may have to quickly change them.

The bow and the strings are two things that your teachers may suggest you to change right away.

Rosin

You apply rosin to your bow’s horsehair before playing the cello. It’s basically just resin gathered from coniferous trees like pine. Applying rosin on your bow before playing gives it a more sticky texture and helps you bring out better sound due to improved friction and vibration against each string.

Endpin

The endpin is that little metal that extends from the bottom of your cello. It helps you place the instrument and ideally, it should be adjustable so you can decrease/increase the height of your cello.

Types of Cellos

Currently, in the world of modern cellos, we have three major types; acoustic cellos, electric cellos, and silent cellos.

Acoustic cellos

The classic/acoustic cello’s sound is fully echoic and natural. It relies on acoustic resonance to produce its sound. It can be converted into an electric cello or semi-electric cello by installing a pickup.

Electric cellos

The electric cello relies on electronic resonance to produce sound. It usually needs a battery to be powered and an auxiliary or some sort of cable so you can play your cello over the speakers. One of the benefits of opting for an electric cello is that you can get your hands on a plethora of effects such as ‘wah’, reverb, delays, and more! 

If you’re planning to play on the stage and want to avoid any potential hassles, go for this one.

Silent cellos

As opposed to electric cellos that do produce enough sound to be heard in a room and not down the corridor, cellos are whispery quiet and completely rely on electronic resonance. You can get these if you prefer to practice in complete silence, with a pair of headphones on.

Taking Good Care of Your Cello

Cellos are intricate and demand to be stored with care. If you end up knocking it up in a wall and causing a dent/tear in the wood, it’ll most likely have an effect on its sound. 

Similarly, if you’re storing it in your house, a soft padded gig bag will do just fine but if you’re on the road a lot, consider investing in a hard case so your cello remains safe from the weather elements. 

For the bow, we suggest applying the rosin as needed but don’t overdo it, as it can create buildup on your strings.

Do Cellos Come With a Warranty?

Most beginner cellos in this article do not come with a warranty. 

However, if your cello costs $500 or more, it will have one. So, if you’re spending over $500 on your cello, make sure your product comes with a year or two’s warranty just so you’re on the safe side as a buyer.