Neglected cello - advice appreciated

[OneLovelySister]

I half-heartedly started cello as a teen and, unsurprisingly, never got anywhere; the cello has been languishing at my DM’s house for 25+ years.

I’m sure I’m not the first parent to find that helping young DC with an instrument reawakens an interest in learning to play. I had the basics of recorder and Grade 1 Piano, so I’ve not been entirely without use to DD in her flute efforts - it’s amazing what comes back to you even decades later.

I’m wondering if a cello neglected for so long can be brought back into use? I suppose this may depend on the quality of the instrument, both in terms of its resilience, and whether or not it’s worth spending money on.

Presumably, a professional could tell from a photo if it’s basically skip fodder and, if not, outline the options; does anyone have a recommendation for somewhere in London I could go for advice?

Where in London do you live? There's a really good string shop in stoke Newington. I think you would probably have to take it in and they could then give you an idea/quote of what might be needed. Cellos are expensive so if its a decent one it will be worth saving. (do you know if its a decent one?)

It would take a lot of neglect for even the most basic student cello to become skip fodder! Is there any visible damage, warping or cracks? There are plenty of string shops in central London. You need one that sells beginner instruments and has a repair shop/does valuations. Off the top of my head, Stringers in Lisson Grove and Guiver in Mortimer Street might be able to help. I am fairly confident that even in worst case scenario, the cost of repair would likely be less than the value.

If it turns out to be a good quality instrument, you might consider loaning it to the Benslow Trust, who rent instruments for a minimal amount to talented students who can't afford to buy an instrument.

Thanks for the amazingly quick reply, green.

I’m in south London but Stokey’s not the ends of the Earth, even on public transport with a cello

I don’t have any reason to think it’s a decent-decent cello but, as you say, they’re not a cheap instrument so if it’s at all worth saving I’d like to save it and learn to play it myself (or even encourage little DS cello-wards in due course).

Thank you, namechanges (I wrote that last post really slowly and hadn’t seen yours).

So, I probably should’ve said I haven’t actually laid eyes on the cello myself for a very long time I know it hasn’t been subjected to awful conditions and DM didn’t mention any obvious visible major damage.

All I really know for sure is that it’s at least 30 years old, has a shiny finish and a small chip on the front. And slippery bloody pegs - how I wish the internet had been a thing in the early 90s...

And, yes, if my adult learner daydreams come to naught, and DS isn’t interested also a bit of a dream tbh, and he’s only five, I’d be delighted to loan if it’s worth loaning.

If you're in South London, there's a luthier in Nunhead (who I don't know but comes recommended) who might be able to help?

Just wanted to say that 5 isn’t too young - obvs you’d need to hire a teeny cello 😀 - my dd (and later, ds) both started 4 (in Reception, basically).

Dd is still going (very) strong at 12, and edging grade 5. Ds still plays (he’s still only 6) but ultimately I don’t think cello is where his heart lays, we’ll see.

Pegs are very fixable, the one by Great Portland Street sorted mine. It'll probably need new strings by now but they'll sell you some and probably string it for you if they're doing the pegs.

Slippery pegs might just need a bit of peg paste.

If you look inside the f holes, there might be a manufacturer's label inside if it is a modern student instrument - that could give you a rough idea of the value. If you are looking inside, have a look to see if the sound post has fallen down or is cracked. If the sound post and bridge are in place, it is stringed and there is no visible damage like cracks or warping, there is probably nothing wrong with the cello apart needing new strings. If it just needs new strings and a bit of peg paste, any competent string player could help you do that in a few minutes.

If you decide to sell it, be aware that music shops buy at well below the market value. If you are planning on playing it yourself, and it does turn out to need repairs, make sure that when you are weighing up the cost of the repairs against value, the shop is discussing insurance value rather than what they would buy it for. You could quite easily spend more on repairs than you could sell it to a dealer for but, conversely, you would be unlikely to be able to buy a cello at market price for less than even the most major repair works would cost IYSWIM.

If you do take up cello again, the more you play, the better the cello will sound, not just you! The vibrations do something to the structure of the wood that improves the tone

Out of interest, DS's first half size cello was a very neglected, 30 year old Czech student instrument that had had a broken neck repair. We chose it because it had a far better tone than the new instruments. And despite the major repair devaluing it, it still cost more than a new instrument - £700 (and that was 15 years ago...). Your neglected cello might be worth more than you think!

Another vote for Bridgewood&Neitzert on Stoke Newington Church Street. Give them a call first - they may suggest a specific time to bring it in.

Thanks for further thoughts, everyone.

minisnowballs, Nunhead is just up the road from us, so that would definitely be an option. Having Googled, I assume it’s John Procter, unless Nunhead is - somewhat unexpectedly - London’s luthier quarter?

Isit, I know, I know. I’ve seen the tiny cellists on YouTube. My problem is persuading DS that he wants to play anything. He likes the idea but finds instruments ‘too loud’. He mentioned trombone, so I was all ready to get him a mini pBone, but I think we overdid the Christopher Bill videos (Purple Rain on a purple plastic trombone - what’s not to like?!) and he went off the idea

namechanges, funnily enough I was talking to DM earlier and asked her if she could peer in, as I recalled there being a rectangular label - might even have been Czech, or somewhere in that direction. I’ll ask her to look out for the sound post too. It probably has strings but I’d be astonished if they had any tension left in them - and wouldn’t the bridge fall off without being held in place? (Really, I know nothing!)

I don’t think I’m acquainted with any string players who could sort the strings, unfortunately. On balance, it makes sense to assess the condition, try to identify the manufacturer then, if worthwhile, fetch it from DMs (not in London) and take it for valuation and a once over.

Very good advice re insurance value/dealer price. I’m cautiously optimistic that it may be in better shape than I’d feared, so not too costly to sort. And I’d sooner loan it than sell it, I think.

Thanks for those recommendations, Jugzy and Noodling.

My ds plays wearing ear defenders (sensory issues!)

He too is hankering after brass - i’ll see if he still wants to once his adult teeth are through - and drums (which I’m resisting more for my sanity, tbh).

I’ve had a pbone in my Amazon basket for years now, just waiting for enough of an excuse to buy it!

John Procter indeed (though I think SE London is a veritable hotbed of musicians/luthiers - apparently it is the high ceilings and relatively affordable property) I'm afraid I know nothing about cellos (but my daughter started playing at 7 - she loves it - and combines it with flute) . He has been recommended to me by friends who are cellists though.

Have you thought about lessons for yourself? I played the clarinet for only about a year in primary and recently took it up after 30+ years. Refreshed myself with some books and now I'm having lessons I've improved hugely. Would really recommend it