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Can the best cellos on Amazon compete with the likes of a Stradivarius? Before you write off buying a cello online, consider our best cellos on Amazon guide.
You’ll learn everything you need to know to buy a good-quality cello from the comfort of home. Consider a few models and how you can select one that works for you.
Best Cellos on Amazon
When shopping for the best cello in general, you may decide to take a look at Amazon. You can find almost anything else on there, so why wouldn’t you be able to find a good cello?
To find some of the best cellos on Amazon, I looked for some good-quality brands. I also included models at various price points and levels so that there’s something for everyone.
Finding models in different sizes was also important because a 4/4 cello won’t work for everyone. Here are some of the best cellos I found on Amazon.
Cremona SC-130
The Cremona SC-130 is an entry-level cello that’s perfect for beginners. It features a spruce top with maple making up the back and sides of the body to give the cello a warm tone.
Cremona oils the neck to make it feel better and have more balance. The strings are at the ideal height and distance from the ebony fingerboard to help you develop good technique.
You can choose from four sizes ranging from 1/4 to 4/4, so you can make sure the cello is the right size for you. Plus, the model is relatively affordable compared to other cellos.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Easy to play
- Nice balance
- Warm tone
- Multiple sizes
Cons
- Doesn’t always come with the right bridge size
Cremona SC-200
If you want a similar model that’s a bit more advanced, try the Cremona SC-200. It’s still a student model, but this cello uses flamed maple to give the instrument a better sound and appearance.
The company follows national music education standards, including an ebony fingerboard, so you can trust this instrument will hold up in a school orchestra. Like the SC-130, this model’s fingerboard is easy to use.
Plus, it comes in sizes between 1/4 and 4/4 to help you feel comfortable. And the fine tuners and pegs make it easy to get the cello in tune.
Pros
- Meets national standards
- Multiple sizes
- Warm tone
- Suitable for students
- Affordable
Cons
- Some quality control issues
D Z Strad 101
The D Z Strad 101 is another excellent cello for beginners. It’s easy to play, and it can last for years to help you learn the foundations of cello playing.
From the body to the pegs, all of the main parts use great woods to help you get a nice tone. The body uses maple and spruce, while the fingerboard and pegs use ebony. This model also offers a consistent sound and feel so that you can look forward to playing it.
You can choose from a variety of sizes as large as 4/4 and as small as 1/8. That makes it perfect for younger students who may not be big enough for other sizes.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Many sizes available
- Nice tone
- Easy to play
- Looks good
Cons
- A bit expensive
D Z Strad 300
If you’ve played the cello for a while, you might be ready to upgrade. The D Z Strad 300 is an excellent handmade cello for advancing students.
You can get a smooth, warm sound, and the spruce and maple that make up the body can help with that. D Z Strad sets up the cello with a special bridge and strings. While it doesn’t specify, I assume it uses ebony like other D Z Strad cellos.
Plus, you get a Brazilian wood bow so that you can play immediately. And it comes in sizes between 1/8 and 4/4, so almost any player will find a size that fits them.
Pros
- Great for intermediate players
- Comes with accessories
- Multiple sizes
- Handmade
- Nice sound
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
D Z Strad 600
The D Z Strad 600 is perfect for advanced cellists looking to go to music school or start a career. It uses two pieces of flamed maple to make up the back and provide more resonance to your sound. Unfortunately, it doesn’t specify the wood of the fingerboard.
Still, you can get a focused and warm tone, so it’s great for more serious cellists. And it’s available in sizes as small as 1/4, so it’s good for cellists of all ages.
However, it is quite expensive since it’s handmade and uses slightly different wood from other models. Still, this can be a great investment for aspiring professional cello players.
Pros
- Nice sound
- Great for serious players
- Handmade
- Unique look
- Resonant
Cons
- Pretty expensive
D Z Strad 800
If you’re already at the professional
level and need a better cello, the D Z Strad 800 might be for you. The company selects special tonewoods and lets them age before using them in these instruments, though it doesn’t specify the woods for the body or fingerboard.
You’ll be able to get a rich tone with this model, and it can rival similar models in terms of sound and feel. Sadly, this model only comes in the full 4/4 size, so it’s best for adults.
However, it can be a good choice if you aren’t happy with other advanced or professional instruments. You may be able to get a better sound from the 800.
Pros
- For professionals
- Rich tone
- As good as some more expensive options
- Uses good tonewoods
Cons
- Expensive
- Only one size
Yamaha AVC5
The Yamaha AVC5 is an excellent choice for someone who needs a mix of quality and affordability. It uses spruce and maple as the main tonewoods to help you get a good sound, but it doesn’t specify the fingerboard tonewood.
Meanwhile, the oil varnish helps the cello look just as good, so it can fit in with an orchestra. You can even choose from sizes between 1/4 and 4/4 to make sure the instrument feels comfortable.
Like some other models, this one meets national music education standards. That makes it a great choice for use in schools and other settings.
Pros
- Good sound
- Nice tonewoods
- Various sizes
- Meets music education standards
- Not too expensive
Cons
- Not for absolute beginners
Yamaha SVC-210SK
All of the other cellos I’ve covered have been acoustic, which is nice. But if you want to play electric music or simply reduce the size and weight of your cello-related gear, try the Yamaha SVC-210SK, which is an electric model.
You can choose from three reverb presets to get the sound you want. And you can even connect it to a CD player to play with recordings.
Once you’re done playing, the upper and lower bouts will collapse to help you save space. As long as you have AA batteries on hand, you can play this cello and use headphones to keep from disturbing others.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Works with amplification
- Can practice whenever
- Easy to play
- Collapses down for storage
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
Yamaha SVC50SK
Another electric cello to try is the Yamaha SVC50SK. It has a similar design to the other electric cello, including the ability to connect to an amp or headphones.
You can even remove the chest support when you aren’t playing to make the cello more portable. It’s an excellent choice if you need to project your sound or if you don’t want to disturb others.
And you don’t need as much room for it, so it’s travel-friendly. But it’s quite expensive, so it’s not the best option for beginners.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Portable
- Works with an amp
- Good volume
- Lightweight
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
How to Choose the Best Cello on Amazon
You might get lucky and choose the best cello for you the first time you order from Amazon. However, it can help to consider what makes a cello good for you.
Then, you can make sure to order a model that will meet your needs. While recommendations help, what works for one musician might not work for you.
Consider the following factors when shopping for the best cellos on Amazon.
Your Size
The most vital thing to think about is how big you are and if a cello will feel comfortable to you. If you’re a bit younger or shorter, you might have to strain yourself to play a 4/4 cello.
Fortunately, many of the best cellos on Amazon come in smaller sizes. You can try out a few sizes to see which feels the best to you.
Then, you can make sure playing the cello will feel good now and for months to come. And you can save yourself the trouble of having to send a cello back because of the size.
Your Experience
If you’ve never played the cello, you should start with a beginner model. This level of cello will typically be easier for you to play, so you won’t have to struggle to sound good.
However, if you have played the cello for a while, a beginner instrument might hold you back. In that case, you’ll want to look for something with better craftsmanship or more handmade elements.
Either way, knowing your cello experience can help narrow your search. Then, you can decide which model will meet your needs without needing to play it a ton first.
Your Cello
If you currently play the cello, consider the model you own and use. Think about its level and features and what you do or don’t like about it.
Then, you can make sure to look for cellos that are better than your current setup. If you go with something that isn’t as good, you might hold yourself back from improving.
So be sure to look at cellos at a level above your current model. That way, you will give yourself the best chance of finding an instrument that you’ll want to play.
Your Goals
Another factor that can help you decide on the best cello is your goals as a cellist. If you want to be the next Yo-Yo Ma, you’ll need a better cello to help you improve your playing.
However, if you plan to keep playing the cello as a hobby, you can afford to go with something simpler. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on an instrument as a beginner or casual player.
Think about where you see yourself with the cello in a year or two. That way, you can look for a model that has the specs necessary to help you meet your goals.
Your Budget
Of course, you need to verify that you can afford the cello you intend to purchase. Luckily, Amazon offers financing to help you pay off any major purchase over a year.
But you should still consider if you’ll have the money to cover those monthly payments. If not, you may need to wait before getting a new cello.
Then, you’ll have enough money to compare more options. You won’t have to settle on a cello you don’t absolutely love just because it’s in your budget.
Your Seller
Amazon has a lot of third-party sellers, which have pros and cons. On the one hand, you can shop around to find the best price on a good cello.
However, some sellers may send you a fake instrument but charge you for a genuine model. Before buying from a third-party seller, be sure to do your research.
Read product and seller reviews to figure out if the seller is worth your time. If not, move on to a listing from a seller that you can trust.
Your Risk
Even if you buy from a reputable seller or Amazon directly, you still take on some risks. Buying a cello online without trying it first can be a waste of your time and money.
Now, Amazon does have a return policy, so make sure it applies to the instrument you buy. Then, you’ll be able to test it out for a few days and return it if you don’t like the sound or feel.
This is particularly important if you buy from a third party. You want to make sure the seller will accept returns if you don’t like the instrument you buy.
FAQs About The Best Cellos On Amazon Guide
Answer: You should buy a cello on Amazon because it’s convenient. All you have to do is select your instrument, place your order, and wait for the cello to arrive at your door.
As long as the instrument is in stock, you can get it within a few days. Then, you don’t have to worry about going to various music stores to find a cello you like.
Answer: Research the brands and models you’re considering before you buy anything. Make sure the model you choose has a good reputation and that it doesn’t have many negative reviews.
You can also ask a cello teacher or a more advanced player about the brands you’re looking at. They’ll be able to tell you if the brands and models are worth your money or not.
Answer: Buying a cello on Amazon isn’t always the best choice. For one, Amazon doesn’t carry every cello model out there, so you can limit yourself by sticking to the website.
However, you should still give some of the best cellos on Amazon a try. You may end up finding the cello of your dreams, and you may never need to shop for another instrument again.
Answer: The cheaper cellos on Amazon may be suitable for beginners and casual players on a tight budget. However, they’re cheap for a reason, so they probably aren’t of the best quality.
You may need to replace the cello sooner than you would if you spent more on a different model. If possible, start your search with better instruments and go with a cheaper model as your last resort.
Answer: Buying a cello on Amazon can be very safe as long as you take a few precautions. Read as many reviews as you can of the models you want to try as well as their sellers.
If you know someone who has bought an instrument from Amazon, ask them about their experience. Then, you can determine which sellers to use and who to avoid.
Answer: Unfortunately, you can’t control the condition of the cello when the seller ships it. But you can do a few things to keep it in the same condition throughout the trip.
First, I’d recommend upgrading to faster shipping, ideally one-day shipping. Then, you can minimize the amount of time the instrument will be stuck in transit, potentially in warehouses without much climate control.
You should also try to order it so that you can be home for most of the delivery day. That way, you can track the package and bring it inside as soon as it arrives to keep the climate from affecting it and to keep thieves from taking it.
Final Note on the Best Cellos on Amazon Guide
A good “best cellos on Amazon guide” like this one covers what you need to know before you shop online. You should consider some models from different brands and decide which one fits your needs.
If you don’t know where to start, Yamaha is an excellent brand, and you can’t go wrong with the AVC5. But you should compare it to other choices to make sure it’s right for you.
And be sure to buy from reputable sellers, and don’t be afraid to upgrade to faster shipping to get your instrument in good condition sooner.
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