Cheap Electric Cello - Review by Beginner Cellist
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- Опубліковано 3 сер 2024
- A cheap electric cello - review by a beginner cellist. Should you buy this instrument?
If you want to skip to where you hear it played, the timecodes are below:
6:24 - Direct Input, low tone setting, no FX
6:50 - Direct Input, high tone setting, no FX
7:34 - Amp with reverb, neutral EQ
8:00 - Amp with distortion
Check out Jonathan Humphries' review: • ELECTRIC CELLO on AMAZ...
I had a similar electric cello and designed and 3D printed pieces including new chest rest and upper and lower bouts (had to saw the old ones off, which was a huge leap of faith), and use an external piezoelectric pickup to completely bypass the horrible built-in electronics. Because of the 3D printed pieces and how I mount them (designed to be removable) the cello now packs very small and is easy to get back to playable form in a couple minutes. I can actually store the cello, adjustable chair, stand, and external amplifier in the trunk of my 2004 Mustang (not known for trunk space). I mostly use if for practice to not disturb others, but will bring it out for informal concerts and other venues. Draws a lot of interest from people who might not otherwise be interested in cello.
I have the Cecilio electric cello and the first thing I did was change the strings and it sounds better, but I do agree about the electronic component at the back. Some days it sounds good and other days, not so much. I have a bass amp, but I find it sounds a lot better on a regular guitar or keyboard amp. I also agree with that weird hinge thing at the back, it could be designed better, maybe mimic the curve of an acoustic cello, so that it feels more natural when playing, because you really can't grip the body with your knees, there's not much there to grip. Right away, I knew the finger board wasn't ebony and it was painted on, but it's nice to practice on, because I moved to an apartment and I don't want to disturb the neighbours. Sometimes the bows that come with the cello kit is good. I got mine straightened, because it was wood and curved a bit to the right. I also bought a good quality carbon fibre one for less than $100.00 and it works well. As Jonathan Humphries said regarding the rosin, it's garbage. Mine was broken so I tossed it, but kept the little holder. I bought better quality rosin.
Starting on an Electric Cello might be easier since they're more compact and are easier to hold. They tend to have machine heads to make tuning easier and also Helicore strings which are easier to bow. Going from Electric to Acoustic Cello would work if you change those friction pegs to mechanical ones and restring it with Helicore Medium Tension Cello Strings because the steel rope core and slightly thinner gauge will allow you to have enough control over the strings with your bow.
Thank you for sharing your video!
You can use a CodaBow Joule (and Dark Kaplan Premium Synthetic Rosin) to make bowing even easier because it weighs about twice as much as a regular Cello bow.
I play a cecilio electric and I bypassed the electronics by connecting the piezo to one of the headphone jacks. I use a guitar pedal to give it distortion. I also reshaped the bridge for easy action. Overall I really like it. I used it on a big rig and can play inside or outside blasting over the engine. I think it is a great way to play cello in places I would not want to take an accoustic.
What I'm hearing from a lot of people is that with adaptations, it's not such a bad instrument. I'll admit I have no technical know-how for how to convert it from its boxed state into one that worked for me, but I'm glad it does for you. And playing on a big rig? That's awesome 👌 👏 😁
@@fromwithin8916 I made a video on how to modify the cello. I did not show how to carve the bridge. I used a 20 dollar rotary hand tool from walmart. My cello is not vegan but I recommend going vegan. I just drank 1 ounce of apple cider vinegar in 12 ounces of ice water 4 times a day and even after falling on my elbow 2 times it removed my inflammation. It also helped with my rash and acne!
Hi, I just watched your review of the cheap electric cello. I just bought a used one identical to yours. I agree with everything you said about it. For now I keep the chest piece folded down, it comes off with two small screws also. You convinced me I wasted my money, what little I spent on it.
I saw a video of yours three months later and you were playing a Yamaha electric. I hope you're happier with it. I've played instruments for decades and I have formal training and theory and read music but I'm new to the cello.
I'm enjoying your other videos also.
Hi, thanks for the comment. I much prefer the Yamaha - everything about it feels good. When you put the two electrics side by side, you can really notice the MASSIVE difference in quality. Just as important, all the contact points are in the right place relative to an acoustic. All in all, it's easier to play, more natural, more comfortable, more enjoyable and worth every penny, the only downside being it costs a LOT of pennies!
I hope you're enjoying the cello and are able to keep going with it. I think getting the right instrument is key: not only does the wrong one teach you bad technique, it makes you less likely to persevere. All the best 😊
@@fromwithin8916 thanks friend. Good advice! Cheap isn't always the best option. I'll look into that Yamaha. God bless your music.
It's a copy of a Cecilio Electric Cello and they're in much better shape than they used to be years ago due to updates in technology
If you use a Rock Stop that'll help.
The chest suppourt would typically keep the Cello in playing position
Sorry @Ek X, I accidentally deleted your comment. I use a Yamaha SVC 210 with headphones these days, which feels much more like an acoustic cello, with all the points of reference (shoulder, knees) in the right place. It's quiet and comfortable, but it's an expensive piece of kit. I tried cello mutes for my acoustic (rubber and metal), but it was still too loud. I've had no complaints from my electric cello.
Re teachers: in my limited experience, there's quite a bit of prejudice against electric cellos from traditional acoustic cello teachers. If I had a detached house, I'd stick to the acoustic, but needs must! 🙂
I made my own electric cello.
It is certainly better than the one you have and thats because i used top of range components. I also built 2 accustic cellos from carbon fibre, one being good and the other being even better. I also have a bought gliga 7/8 accustic and a yamaha silent electric. My back ground was working with composits for 50 years so makeing stuff is no real problem. I guess you only get what you pay for. Sometimes even less . Eg. My yamaha electric is ok but i think now i payed too much for what it is. The you have could be modified to make it better.
I always make ajustment on everthing i buy in musical instruments. My homade cellos are actually a different size . They have a 4/4 body with a short scale neck, some where in between 7/8 & 3/4.
If you call a 4/4 16/16 and a 7/8 a 14/16 and a 3/4 a 12/16 then my one is a 13/16.
I have arthric hands and this helps a lot. All positions remain the same.
It's a fantastic Electric Cello and if you change those friction pegs out to mechanical ones (like the Rubner Cello machine heads) it'll hold tune better.
I am horrified that you are playing in pain and with your left foot unnaturally raised!! I have a similar model (Celio Sonata): the wobbly doo-hicky I screwed solid with a little bracket and sewed thick padding onto the chest rest to 1) flatten the curve and 2) stop slipping (- do this for the knee area too!) Also fold a cloth (a face towel works) to put between your chest and doo-hicky to get a better distance (a cello body is wider remember). After this I was very happy with the instrument. Good luck and I'm jealous - I wish I could muster 3 hours a day!
Thanks, this answered my question if I should buy one for practicing late ad night.
To my ears it sounds absolutely horrible 😅
Because the sound of the piezo pickup is mostly untreated (nevermind that huge reverb at the end), and the playing might also not be the best. I hope that didn't make you abandon the idea of an electric cello! Look at NS Design WAV models, they're still affordable, very good quality, and by going through impulse response, EQ, and a bit of reverb you can get a very very good sound.
Get geared tuners & it'll stay in tune
The way that cello encourages thumb clamping is a recipe for tennis elbow and other repetitivee strain injury. Definitely avoid the cheap electrics. It isn't worth it.
your not oriental your body is a foot higher on average!! that assessory is for smaller people!....
Calm your racism. There are tall orientals. You adjust the end pin if you are taller. I can play this standing up with the pin fully extended.
@@jaredkaye3669 nothing racist about that comment child!!!!!!
@@jaredkaye3669 get a new prescription to go along with your failings in reading and comprending! .....
@@willieboy8798 I am not a child. If I called an instrument made in your country of origin not meant for other people because of your body shape is ridiculous. We embargoed China for electric cars and solar panels. You can fit in the car. You can use the solar panel to convert photons to voltage. You can pull the end pin out.
@@willieboy8798 It is like saying you subjugate Mexico to be fat. This is worse than making a cheap electric instrument that you can fix with a 5 dollar bridge and a 15 dollar guitar pedal.