When you’re buying a cello, you’re usually thrilled to bits. But do you ever stop to think about the process of re-selling it.

What if you get to a point where you want to upgrade to a bigger cello? Or perhaps, switch to a different brand. How would you re-sell your current cello? 

We understand that selling valuable musical instruments such as this one is no mean feat. So in the following guide, we’ve provided an in-depth guide on how to sell a cello. Read on to learn more.

What to Do Before You Sell a Cello

1. Clean and Repair

Before you even start taking photos to post online, first clean and repair any broken components of your cello.

Here are the steps you should take when cleaning your cello:

Wipe off the rosin on the strings and fingerboard

Using a microfiber cloth, gently clean off rosin from the fingerboard and strings. Though you can use any piece of cloth, a microfiber cloth works best.

The rosin appears as a white powder. So don’t be alarmed if you see residue of this color on your cleaning cloth.

Clean off rosin from the bridge 

When playing cello, it’s not unusual for some of the rosin to fall on the bridge. So this is the next element you’ll want to clean using a clean cloth. If there are any areas that you can’t reach - such as those near the bridge - use Q-tips to clean them.

Clean the top, sides and back

The only sections left to clean are the top, back and sides. Look for another lint-free cloth and use it to dust the entire body of the cello.

Don’t forget to clean the scroll, tailpiece and pegbox as well. You can then apply a light coating of cello polish to keep it looking glossy and pristine.

Repair

As you’re cleaning the cello, confirm whether there are any broken parts. If any of the cello strings, bow, or bridge is broken, be sure to replace with new ones before you start advertising.

2. Take Photos

The secret to reselling your cello online is using good photos. Low-quality pictures significantly reduce the chances of getting a good price for your cello; even if it plays well. It’s a classic case “a photo being worth a thousand words”.

So what can you do to take a good photo? Consider these tips:

3. Research the Current Rates

Before you rush to get an appraisal, it’s good to do some due diligence of your own. Check the specific cello model you have, and research to determine its going rate. eBay and Craiglist are some of the best platforms to source for such information.

Performing this initial research is a crucial step that you shouldn’t skip. It gives you a rough idea of how much your cello is worth in its current state.

This research also helps you know how much you stand to lose or gain if you perform certain repairs. For instance, you might discover that installing a new bridge that costs less than $30 increases its value by $100 or more.

You may also arrive at the conclusion of retaining your instrument altogether. If it’s only fetching you a small amount of money, then it’s probably not worth the struggle of repairing, appraising and looking for a buyer.

4. Get an Appraisal

With your research complete, the only thing left is to get an appraisal. The best way to go about this is to visit your nearest music shop and have a professional dealer appraise it.

This expert sells dozens of such cellos every day. So they can offer you advice on just how much you should sell it for. In fact, you can even request them to give you an official letter of appraisal to show to interested buyers.

Best Ways of Selling a Cello

There are several online platforms where you can sell your cello. These include:

eBay

This is one of the most revered venues for selling musical instruments online. Although you’ll have to pay a small fee to list on eBay, you’ll likely find a ton of potential buyers.

Craigslist

This is yet another trusted platform when it comes to reselling musical items. And the good thing about it is that listing your cello is completely free on Craigslist. Plus, you’re free to re-list the item as many times as it takes to get a good buyer.

Trading Post Websites

If you don’t get a buyer on either eBay or Craiglist, resort to specialized websites like Sweetwater.com or Reverb.com.

Both of these sites deal specifically in the selling and buying of musical equipment. In fact, you’re more likely to get the perfect buyer for your cello on this platform.

Trading in at Music Stores

If all your efforts prove futile, one other option available is to trade in. Several music shops allow you to trade in your current cello and get a new one at a subsidized price.

Is a Cello a Good Investment?

Yes, it is, especially if you’re buying an antique model. Modern-day cellos can fetch you a good price. But you’d probably get a lot more if you’re reselling a vintage model that’s not readily available.

What to Expect When Selling a Cello

Truth be told, selling your cello is not going to be a walk in the park. It requires a significant investment of your time.

More importantly, you should be well-informed. If you’re not sure of the value of your cello, then start by doing some research. Better yet, get an appraisal from an expert music equipment dealer. You should also be willing to negotiate, especially if you opt to trade in.

Why is it Difficult to Sell a Cello?

Cellos are very specialized instruments. So getting a buyer who’s interested in the specific brand, size and features of your cello can be a bit difficult.

Besides, most individuals prefer to buy a brand new instrument instead of a used model. All these factors make the process of re-selling cellos a tad difficult.

So if you get an individual who’s interested in purchasing it at a slightly lower price, don’t dismiss them right away. You can negotiate and sell it a price that works for both parties.

Conclusion

Spending some time learning how to sell a cello is important. This gives you time to perform necessary repairs, get an appraisal and research the current rates. We hope that the tips in this guide will help you get a good return on your cello investment.