Need help on a Cello

Hello, I just bought a cello with label inside. I wonder if anyone could help me to identify the market value of this piece? Thanks.

 

This will confuse you.

https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/337643-bkn/

Debora

 

It does, but seems quite professional there.

 

Yes, one would think they'd know if anyone would.

Debora

 

Take it to a stringed instrument shop/luthier near you. No one on here can give you a very accurate guess based on just these type of pictures. In person, an expert can look at construction details and actually play the instrument. Pretty much we know its Hungarian and 35 years old...

 

Excellent advice. There seem to be lots of Strad replicas floating around the internet, from Germany, from Czechoslovakia, all with the same label.

Debora

 

@all_fakes

 

JMHO. I'd give it to a poor child or the Salvation Army. nobody in his right mind would ask a shop or even a violin maker to touch it; every penny spent is thrown into the gutter.

 

I notice the first words on the label are "Copy Of" so kinda self-explanatory.

 

From the photos provided, it does look like a cheap student instrument (a "cello-shaped box", LOL). And someone wasn't too concerned about protecting it, it didn't even come with a hard-sided case.
No bow?

 

'Copy of' doesnt necessarily mean bad quality...most violins/cellos etc are made in the form of models from historically famous makers. A stringed instrument bearing a "copy of" label (without other factors considered) could be worth $50 or $500 or $5000. The chances this particular instrument is above student grade isn't great, but even some student instruments can be valued in thousands of dollars. Being that its Hungarian made, and not made properly yesterday, my opinion is that its worth getting it evaluated at a luthier, if that involves great cost, probably not worth it, but if its relatively low cost or free, why not?

 

Put your FBI hat on, and question Metzler:

Hungarian Strad model 4/4 cello, BKN, lightly used
$2,295.00
CODE: CL#5643

Metzler Violin Shop
604 S. Central Avenue
Glendale, California, 91204 USA

Telephone : 1-818-246-0278 or 1-888-violins
Email : shop@metzlerviolins.com

 

that's a great phone number !!!!!!!!!!

 

Cellos are pretty expensive in general, so even a Korean or Chinese-made student model might be worth in the thousands...perhaps.
It really is not possible to evaluate string instruments in the way one would a guitar for example....
Like if you told me you had a 1963 Martin 0-18 (dated from the serial number) I could tell you it was worth $1500 to $2500 depending on condition.… but a cello or violin, not the same. As Aaron mentioned, you should take it to a reputable string-instrument shop. There is a list of such shops if you are in the US, at https://www.afvbm.org/american-federation-of-violin-and-bowmakers-member-directory
(hard cello cases can be darn expensive, starting around $500 for decent quality, so it is pretty common for student-grade instruments to have soft cases; but certainly an expensive instrument would likely have an expensive hard case).
And Brian's link may be spot-on; but that company may also make instruments in a wide variety of grades. Get thee to a luthier....

 

what a cello case is REALLY good for,,,,,,but...it's gotta be a good one..