amwildman - Posted - 08/06/2017: 15:06:14
Boy is this not a simple subject! And fair warning, I'm going to ramble a bit.
Bowed instruments are not like any other instrument. The biggest determining factor in quality is the reputation of the seller. There are no brands like Gibson or Taylor or Deering that are go-to brands. Most any cello below $5k is made in China in any number of shops, and possibly fine-tuned here in the states. Good sellers here in the US have good suppliers, and that gets passed on to the consumer. Often the instrument gets labeled with the local shop's label, so there is no way of knowing the original manufacturer.
I know nothing of banjos, unfortunately, but I can tell definitively that the best way to buy a bowed instrument for a beginner is to buy from a trusted source. Shop, experienced player, etc. Or do both; buy from a shop and take along an experienced player to test.
As you already know, action and setup are king when it comes to playability with stringed instruments. In addition to good construction, you need to make sure the setup is correct. As I said previously, buying from a trusted source solves all of these problems.
If you want the creme de la creme, find an up-and-coming independent luthier who makes them at home. I have no idea of the prices with cellos, but any fiddle over about 5k is either an antique or a niche hand-made instrument by an elite maker. The same is true of cellos, just bigger and more expensive.
Handmade cellos at KCStrings in Kansas by local luthier start at $12k. Romanian made cellos can be had for maybe 6-7k. Look at Stringworks, perhaps. I've heard good things about them. Anything lower than 5k is probably made in China - not that that is a bad thing, but resale value becomes an issue for some folks. If you're concerned about quality, setup, value, and resellability, I think you'd want to look at a newer independent luthier, or else bite the bullet and buy American-made or European-made ONLY from a shop.
If there is a teacher in your area, you might consider asking them about your local resources. Perhaps there is a good deal from a retiring player or college player who doesn't play anymore. Speaking of college, if you have one close with a music program, you might try calling them and asking around.
amwildman - Posted - 08/07/2017: 19:14:27
I've never seen a strings shop that knows cellos or fiddles carry Yamaha. General music stores, yes. I would never buy a bowed instrument from the latter.
You can always avail yourself of a strings shop's trade-up policy. Buy or rent a cheaper instrument (House brand or whatever) and then down the road you can apply a significant portion of the money spent to upgrade. Many shops credit 100% of the money you spend towards said upgrade. There are lots of advantages to both seller and buyer. Loyalty, repairs, gives the learner a chance to progress and learn what they like in an instrument before spending thousands of dollars, and more.
Good "student" brands would generally be Eastman, Snow, Haide, etc. and would be carried by many shops. Keep in mind that these brands start about $2500 and rise quickly. Cellos are freakin' expensive. House brands can be just as good, and are often much cheaper.
'The Keystone Fiddlers' 10 hrs
