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Best Acoustic Cellos for Classical 2025

Perfect acoustic cellos for classical - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Classical For Chamber Music For Orchestra For Solo Performance For Contemporary Classical
BRANDS: Gewa Scala Vilagio Lothar Semmlinger Hidersine Karl Höfner Roth & Junius
Bernd Hiller & Sohn Master Cello Montagnana 4/4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Bernd Hiller & Sohn Master Cello Montagnana 4/4

by Bernd Hiller & Sohn
Classical Contemporary Classical Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across musical periods
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Sensitive to climate changes
  • • Requires proper setup and maintenance

Bernd Hiller & Sohn Master Cello Montagnana 4/4Master CelloSize: 4/4Model after Domenico MontagnanaOld seasoned...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 568936
$16,390
Buy at Thomann View Details
Anton Stöhr & Sohn Faszination Cello Strad. Sup. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Anton Stöhr & Sohn Faszination Cello Strad. Sup.

by Anton Stöhr & Sohn
Classical Orchestra Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Versatile across musical periods
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Versatile across musical periods
✗ CONS
  • • Heavy and awkward to transport
  • • Requires proper setup and maintenance

Anton Stöhr & Sohn Faszination Cello Strad. Sup.CelloSize: 4/4Stradivari Superior modelMade by master violin maker...

⭐ 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 565258
$13,750
Buy at Thomann View Details
Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello An/Eb - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello An/Eb

by Roth & Junius
Contemporary Classical Orchestra Classical
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Expressive bowing techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Advanced technique required
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Roth & Junius Orchestra Cello Antiqued EbCelloSize: 4/4Solid spruce topSolidslightly flamed maple backPegstailpiece...

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610160
$1,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lothar Semmlinger No. 134A Antiqued Cello 7/8 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Lothar Semmlinger No. 134A Antiqued Cello 7/8

by Lothar Semmlinger
Classical Solo Performance Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
  • • Expressive bowing techniques
  • • Rich, warm lower register
✗ CONS
  • • Requires proper setup and maintenance
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Lothar Semmlinger No. 134A Antiqued Cello 7/8Cello in Antique FinishSize: 7/8Scale: 66 cmMaster instrumentStradivari...

⭐ 4.9/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586813
$5,819
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lothar Semmlinger No. 133A Antiqued Cello 7/8 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Lothar Semmlinger No. 133A Antiqued Cello 7/8

by Lothar Semmlinger
Solo Performance Contemporary Classical Classical
Key Feature:
• Versatile across musical periods
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm lower register
  • • Versatile across musical periods
✗ CONS
  • • Advanced technique required
  • • Sensitive to climate changes

Lothar Semmlinger No. 133A Antiqued Cello 7/8Cello in Antique FinishSize: 7/8Scale: 66 cmStradivari styleSolid spruce...

⭐ 4.7/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586812
$4,829
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lothar Semmlinger No. 135A Antiqued Cello 7/8 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Lothar Semmlinger No. 135A Antiqued Cello 7/8

by Lothar Semmlinger
Chamber Music Contemporary Classical Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Sensitive to climate changes
  • • Heavy and awkward to transport

Lothar Semmlinger No. 135A Antiqued Cello 7/8Cello in Antique FinishSize: 7/8Scale: 66 cmMaster instrumentStradivari...

⭐ 4.9/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586816
$7,689
Buy at Thomann View Details
Walter Mahr Cello Stradivari Ash Wood 4/4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Walter Mahr Cello Stradivari Ash Wood 4/4

by Walter Mahr
Chamber Music Contemporary Classical Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm lower register
✓ PROS
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
  • • Versatile across musical periods
✗ CONS
  • • Requires proper setup and maintenance
  • • Advanced technique required

Walter Mahr Cello Stradivari Ash Wood 4/44/4 CelloSolid spruce topAsh backsides and neckEbony fingerboardEbony pegs...

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 572692
$9,790
Buy at Thomann View Details
Scala Vilagio Bohemia Performance Cello 7/8 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Scala Vilagio Bohemia Performance Cello 7/8

by Scala Vilagio
Orchestra Contemporary Classical Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Expressive bowing techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across musical periods
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Heavy and awkward to transport
  • • Advanced technique required

Scala Vilagio Bohemia Performance Cello 7/8CelloSize: 7/8Scale: 66.5 cmSelected first-class solid spruce topDistinctive...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 586738
$3,619
Buy at Thomann View Details
Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello Set A/B - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello Set A/B

by Roth & Junius
Solo Performance Chamber Music Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Versatile across musical periods
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across musical periods
  • • Rich, warm lower register
✗ CONS
  • • Advanced technique required
  • • Heavy and awkward to transport

Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello Set A/B*Bundle offer comprising*, Roth & Junius Europe Orchestra Cello...

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610163
$1,804
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hidersine Vivente Academy Cello Set 4/4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Hidersine Vivente Academy Cello Set 4/4

by Hidersine
Orchestra Classical Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm lower register
✓ PROS
  • • Expressive bowing techniques
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Sensitive to climate changes

Hidersine Vivente Academy Cello Set 4/4Cello SetSize: 4/4Solid selected spruce topSolid "graphic flamed"...

⭐ 5.0/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 571222
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hidersine Nobile Cello Set 4/4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Hidersine Nobile Cello Set 4/4

by Hidersine
Classical Orchestra Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile across musical periods
✓ PROS
  • • Expressive bowing techniques
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Heavy and awkward to transport
  • • Advanced technique required

Hidersine Nobile Cello Set 4/4Cello Set 4/4Solid cello with solid handcrafted spruce topSolid and flamed maple back and...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610867
$2,189
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stefan Semmlinger Orchestra No.2 Cello 4/4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Stefan Semmlinger Orchestra No.2 Cello 4/4

by Stefan Semmlinger
Contemporary Classical Chamber Music Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm lower register
  • • Versatile across musical periods
✗ CONS
  • • Requires proper setup and maintenance
  • • Heavy and awkward to transport

Stefan Semmlinger Orchestra No.2 Cello 4/4CelloSize: 4/4Semmlinger Stradivari family modelMade in GermanyTonewood...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595035
$19,690
Buy at Thomann View Details
Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Cello MO2 4/4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Cello MO2 4/4

by Scala Vilagio
Chamber Music Contemporary Classical Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Sensitive to climate changes
  • • Heavy and awkward to transport

Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Cello MO2 4/4CelloSize: 4/4Montagnana modelSolid spruce topBeautifully flamed solid maple...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 569110
$7,909
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stefan Semmlinger Orchestra No.1 Cello 4/4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Stefan Semmlinger Orchestra No.1 Cello 4/4

by Stefan Semmlinger
Classical Contemporary Classical Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Versatile across musical periods
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Expressive bowing techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Sensitive to climate changes
  • • Requires proper setup and maintenance

Stefan Semmlinger Orchestra No.1 Cello 4/4CelloSemmlinger Stradivari family modelTonewood seasoned for at least 10...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595033
$15,290
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Allegro VC1 A Cello 4/4 CB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gewa Allegro VC1 A Cello 4/4 CB

by Gewa
Classical Orchestra Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Versatile across musical periods
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across musical periods
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Advanced technique required
  • • Heavy and awkward to transport

Gewa Allegro VC1 A Cello 4/4 CBCelloSize: 4/4Solid cello made of European tonewoodsSolid European spruce topSolid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 561561
$1,231
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Acoustic Cellos

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced acoustic cellos typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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