3/4 cello

[SquashesPumpkinsAutumnBliss]

My child has now outgrown their 1/2 cello, which was loaned to them through school.
Can anyone recommend any places to visit for buying a cello, which type/make you would recommend and what one would be expected to pay? Child is G4, and school cellos are fairly basic. Not sure how long a 3/4 would last as child just had a growth spurt. We are not string players.

Hi - my dd2 is on a 3/4 and was about the same standard when she got it. I just bought her a cheapie one via a local selling site to be honest - I'm sure she'll grow out of it soon enough - it is a Boosey & Hawkes and I paid £100- her teacher is happy enough with it (DD is post grade 5 but not a serious cellist at all). I'd check the selling sites near you as people often pass them on - and often they outgrow 3/4 quite quickly.

My dd also has a 3/4 size cello although we rent ours through school.
She is nearly 14 and is in year 9. She moved onto the 3/4 size in year 6 I think (although it was rather big for her then!) and I think it will last her a good few more years size-wise.
Sorry that's not at all helpful re make etc. Her teacher says it's one of the better school ones. It's not at home at the moment but I'll look up the make later.

DD2 is a quite small year 9 - not 14 until the end of the school year - her year 9 cellist friends are on full sizes now - but she isn't allowed yet - if that gives you any idea of longevity (she's five foot and a bit)

That's interesting @minisnowballs. My dd is 5' 4" and her 3/4 cello is fine for her so your DD's cello may last a while longer yet!

My 5'2 daughter age 18 plays a small european cello full size, and she has tiny hands.

I think a 3/4 size cello at age 14 is unlikely to be used for very long, so renting might be more cost effective.
If buying getting a cheaper cello and spending money on the set up and strings would be my suggestion.
A second hand instrument will be well played in.
Also get your child to try before you buy if possible...it gets them used to thinking about the feel and tone of an instrument especially if you think you may be buying a full size in the future which may be a bigger investment.

Maybe it depends on the teacher's view @QueenMabby - I can't imagine dd's teacher is over five foot four, and she definitely doesn't play a 3/4 herself! I'll be glad if it lasts a while.

@minisnowballs - DD's teacher is over six foot so maybe he just sees dd as tiny! No-one's made any noises about her needing to move up a size yet and at least the benefit of renting through school is that they should have larger ones when needed.

OP (sorry to have derailed your thread rather!) - I think the crux of it is, if you're buying a 3/4 size don't spend too much as it might not last very long if your dc has a growth spurt!!

Thanks. Derail away, all useful information!

teacher has suggested to not get a Primavera but to consider a Stentor or Hindersine or to see what is available second hand. These 3 makes mean nothing to me! Don’t think local shop has Stentor’s though.

Yes, the local shop has a luthier service, so that is a good idea.

which strings are good?

many thanks.

@QueenMabby many thanks. Yes, my child may only need a 3/4 for two years potentially. To hire near us is £25 or £40 a month. Have had a school/music centre provision until now but cannot hire from them anymore as a limited service.

My DD12 (quite small) is currently on a 7/8 cello. We got ours at Cardiff Violins who are very knowledgeable. She will likely be on this one for a while so we invested in something quite nice.

we like Larssen cello strings for D and A and Thomastik-Infeld Spirocore or Dominant C and G
But it's expensive to buy individual strings

a good set might be the Jarger cello string in a set.
Breath deeply before you look at the prices!

Thanks @Imperfect10 - we have had to replace two broken strings on the school loaned cello, so have a little idea of string cost already, sadly! It was in lockdown so literally handed over a cello and it was returned with two new strings, though no idea what brand! Thanks for those suggestions.

We just looked for one on eBay. Managed to find one in the next town over. Needs a new bridge, but we can sort that easily enough.