Cello Price Guide: Current Values & Sales

A cello is a big purchase compared with a violin, and the price jumps for a few reasons: more wood, a larger case, and a bow that has to match the instrument. Many families rent first because a child may need to change sizes several times before reaching a full-size cello.

Most cellos are sold as outfits that include a bow and a case. The prices below are retailer list prices, and each store builds its outfit differently, so read what is in the box.

Fiddlershop's guide to buying a first cello gives $1,100 – $1,500 for a well set up beginner outfit. Its own starter, the Tower Strings Entertainer, lists at $1,199, and Shar Music's Franz Hoffmann Amadeus laminate outfit lists at $1,449.

Sweetwater, which sells higher-priced student lines, describes student cellos as $1,000 – $3,000. Its Eastman VC100 student outfit is listed at $2,940. The gap between retailers reflects both the brands and what each one includes in the package.

Sweetwater puts intermediate cellos at $3,000 – $6,000, describing higher-grade tonewoods and construction. Fiddlershop's Fiddlerman Master outfit is listed at $2,999, and its Soloist at $3,999. The Yamaha AVC5-44S lists at $3,919, the Eastman VC305 intermediate outfit at $4,699, and the Yamaha AVC7-44SG at $5,744.

The level ranges above come from Sweetwater's category page, so they reflect that store's own selection and may differ from other retailers.

Shar Music's SharWay program lists a standard cello outfit at $58.99/mo. The figure comes from the retailer's program, and the length of the plan, the equity rules, and any buyout terms are set by Shar, so read them before you sign. Renting also covers the sizing problem, since some programs let a growing player swap sizes.

Student cellos are commonly built with laminated or lightly carved wood and basic fittings. Step-up models tend to use solid, aged wood, better strings, and a more careful setup, and professional cellos are generally hand carved and varnished with attention to the sound. These are common patterns and not a guarantee, because individual instruments vary.

Setup matters at every level. A bridge that is cut well, pegs that hold, and strings that suit the instrument can make a lower-priced cello far easier to play than a poorly adjusted one.

Cellos come in fractional sizes, and the right one depends on the player's height and arm length. A teacher or shop can measure. Buying a size that is too large makes playing harder, so avoid buying big for a child to grow into.

A used cello from a reputable shop can be a good value, and it may hold its price when you sell it. Check for open seams, cracks, and a straight neck. Ask the shop what they inspected. Trade-in programs may reduce the cost of upgrading, but terms vary.

Ask whether the outfit is set up by a technician before it ships, what the return window is, and whether the strings, bridge, and pegs are included in that setup. Ask whether the bow is carbon fiber or wood, since that changes both price and handling. If the shop offers trade-in credit toward a better cello, ask for the terms in writing.

A shoulder rest is not needed for a cello, but you will want an endpin stop or rock stop, rosin, a tuner, and spare strings. A better bow is a common upgrade. Cases for large cellos can be bulky, so check the weight if you travel on public transit.