Best Cecilio Cellos Guide

Have you looked at cellos only to feel put off by the high price tags? I’ve been there, and I know what it’s like to want an instrument you can’t afford. So consider the best Cecilio cellos guide.

Cecilio may not be a world-renowned brand, but it has some surprisingly good options. If you want to start playing the cello, you should at least give it a try.

Bottom Line Up Front

I considered all of the Cecilio cellos that I could find, and I determined the CCO-100 is the best. It’s great for beginners on a tight budget, and it can fit in with any orchestra or quartet.

My Top Picks at a Glance

1. Cecilio CCO-100 – My top pick overall. This cello is the beginner model, so it’s perfect for anyone wanting to play a cello to see if they like it without spending a ton of money.

2. Cecilio CCO-500 – Good for more players. This model comes in multiple sizes to help you be comfortable as you play.

3. Cecilio CECO-3BK – An electric alternative. If you ever need to practice early or late, you can do so without bugging others around you.

Tips to Choose a Cecilio Cello

If you’ve ever shopped for the best cello online, you’ve probably come across Cecilio. But you may also have some reservations about buying an instrument from this brand when most local music stores don’t carry it.

I’ve bought instruments online, and it is a risk. And I’ll be honest; Cecilio isn’t exactly a good instrument brand, but it can work for some players.

You can choose a Cecilio cello if you know what to look for, and you may be able to find one you like on the first try. Here are some of my best tips for choosing the best Cecilio cello for you.

Assess Your Needs

First, you should think about what you need or want in a cello. Cecilio is a decent option for beginners and people who plan on playing the cello for fun.

If you’re looking to attend Juilliard or become the next Yo-Yo Ma, Cecilio may disappoint you. However, you may want a Cecilio cello to use when traveling because it’s not too expensive.

You won’t lose as much if your Cecilio cello breaks during transit or if the wood warps in the non-climate controlled cargo hold. I’ve heard horror stories of cargo loading crews throwing instruments around, and I wouldn’t want to risk it with my main instrument.

A Cecilio cello can fulfill some needs, so make sure the models will work for your goals. Then, you can compare what the brand offers to learn if it’s right for you.

Consider The Size

Another important factor is if a cello will be comfortable for you or your child. Sadly, the Cecilio cellos I found don’t come in sizes like 1/8 or 1/4, and only one comes in a 3/4 size.

If you’re an adult or a taller teenager, you can get away with playing a 4/4 cello. However, younger or shorter players may find it hard to reach the different strings and positions if the instrument is too large.

Consult a cello size chart to see which size is the best for you or your kid. Then, whoever is looking to play the cello can determine if Cecilio will be a good fit, literally.

Now, if you’re a bit too short for a 4/4 cello, still try one if you can. You may be able to make it work, in which case you can choose from a few Cecilio models.

Remember You Get What You Pay For

One of the most expensive cellos is worth $20 million. While most are significantly cheaper than that, you get what you pay for no matter which model you buy.

Cecilio is one of the cheapest cello brands, which can be a good thing. You can use a Cecilio cello to test out the instrument if you can’t borrow or rent one.

However, as with a lot of things you buy, cheaper options are usually of lower quality. Don’t expect to get the best sound or the most fluid technique when using a Cecilio cello.

But if all you want is something affordable that you can play, it’s a good option.

Compare To Other Brands

If possible, try some other cello brands, such as Yamaha or Cremona. Even if you can play a Cecilio cello, you may prefer the sound or response of another company’s instruments.

You can test a few different brands at a music store or a cello or music convention. Alternatively, some stores will let you order a few instruments for a trial, or you can order a few outright if you have the money.

Comparing brands may help you decide that Cecilio cellos meet your needs. Then, you won’t have to keep shopping around for a suitable cello.

Look For Other Accessories

If you really want to get a Cecilio cello but find it isn’t perfect, you can do a few things to make it better. Then, you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars on your cello setup.

For one, you can invest in a set of strings from a brand like D’Addario or Larsen. Replacing the strings with good-quality ones may help you get more use out of the set.

You may also want to look for a better cello bow. The bow can have a huge effect on how the instrument sounds and how easy it is to move from string to string.

Buying some good rosin may also help improve your sound. The rosin helps the bow glide across the strings, so using the right rosin and bow together may make your instrument sound much more expensive.

How I Chose The Best Cecilio Cellos

Cecilio has a few cellos, but its selection isn’t as vast as some other brands. When sticking to Cecilio, I found it hard to choose multiple models.

However, I did my best to look at some of the best from this one brand. That way, you can get an idea of which model may be the best fit for your playing.

Consider the following factors and how they may help your own cello shopping journey.

Availability

Unfortunately, I could only find three Cecilio cello models that are currently available. I did find a couple that are out of stock. I thought about including them, but I don’t know if they’ll ever come back in stock.

If you want to buy a cello now, availability is crucial. Of course, waiting can be well worth it if it means you get to buy the perfect cello for you.

However, you may not have that kind of patience. If you want to start learning the cello now, you don’t want to wait weeks or months for a model to come back in stock.

Sizing

I also looked at the size or sizes that Cecilio models come in. Most come in 4/4 which is the perfect size for many adults and teenagers who play the cello.

In my search, I lucked into finding one that also comes in a 3/4 size, which is suitable for younger teens and preteens. But if your young child wants to play the cello, Cecilio isn’t going to be the brand for them.

Playing the wrong size of cello may not seem like a big deal. But if you have to strain to reach the right spots on the fingerboard, you could develop a playing injury. It’s better to get the right size now to help avoid unnecessary pain.

Level

I’d categorize all of Cecilio’s cellos into the beginner range, but some have different features. If you want to play for fun, you may want to look at the more “advanced” Cecilio cellos.

A cello with the right features can help you get the best sound possible. The instrument may even offer a challenge that can help you improve your technique.

I wanted to include cellos with various features to meet the needs of more players. As you compare the models for yourself, think about what you need and your current cello playing level.

Purpose

Another thing I looked at when choosing the best Cecilio cellos is if they were acoustic or electric. Most cellos you’ll find from Cecilio and in general are acoustic models.

However, an electric cello comes in handy if you want to join a rock or pop band. You can also play an electric model silently or with headphones if you need to practice early in the morning or late at night.

Family, roommates, and neighbors can do whatever without you disturbing them. But a good acoustic cello is necessary if you want to play in an orchestra or a string quartet, so I included acoustic and electric options.

Price

A big reason to choose a Cecilio cello over one from another brand is the affordable price. Even though I’d never recommend Cecilio as the best brand, I have to commend the company for making cheap instruments.

When you want to try a new instrument, you may not want to spend a ton of money until you know you’ll stick with it. I made sure to choose some affordable options from Cecilio.

Some of the models cost more than others, but most are under $1,000. That’s a steal compared to many of the other cello brands you’ll find online and in music stores.

Best Cecilio Cellos

Cecilio cellos may not be able to compete with a Stradivarius or a Guarneri cello. But you can compare Cecilio cellos against each other to figure out which is the best from the brand.

Now, the decision is still going to be very subjective. You may hate the model that I think is the best, so be sure to try the cellos yourself to help make your final choice.

No matter which you buy, consider the following models in your search.

Cecilio CCO-100

The Cecilio CCO-100 is an excellent model for beginners who want to try out the cello. It comes in sizes 4/4, 3/4, and 1/2, so most players over four feet tall can choose a comfortable size.

This model looks great, so it can fit in with the cello section of an orchestra. Cecilio claims that the spruce top won’t crack, but I’d still be careful.

Maple makes up the back and sides, and the fingerboard and fittings are ebonies. You’ll also receive a bow, extra strings, rosin, and even a cello stand, so you can start playing immediately.

This model comes in black and purple as well as a natural wood finish. However, I’d recommend avoiding the colors because many orchestra directors won’t allow you to use a colorful instrument.

Pros

• Multiple sizes
• Good materials
• Comes with accessories
• Affordable

Cons

• Not for professionals

Cecilio CCO-500

Another option to consider is the Cecilio CCO-500. This cello uses spruce for the top and maple for the back and sides, which is pretty standard among string instruments.

Meanwhile, the fingerboard and fittings use ebony, which looks good and helps you play well. You’ll also receive a bow, rosin, extra strings, and both a hard case and a soft case.

This cello also comes with a stand to protect the instrument if you need to take a quick practice break. And if anything breaks in the first year, you can use the warranty to help replace the cello.

You can’t get this model in black or purple, but I don’t think that’s a deal-breaker. However, you can only choose from 3/4 and 4/4 for the size.

Pros

• Looks and sounds good
• Comes with multiple cases
• One-year warranty
• Different sizes available
• Useful for intermediate players

Cons

• A bit more expensive

Cecilio CECO-3BK

Whether you want to join a rock band or practice at odd hours, you should try the Cecilio CECO-3BK. This electric cello features solid maple wood, so it has an outline similar to an acoustic instrument.

It comes with a 9V battery that you use to power the cello. Like the acoustic models, this one uses an ebony fingerboard, so it won’t feel that much different on your fingers.

You’ll also receive rosin, a bow, an aux cable, and headphones. That way, you can practice silently, or you can hook it up to an amp to perform for a large crowd.

Everything comes in a soft case, so you can keep from forgetting important accessories when transporting the instrument. Plus, you get a one-year warranty that covers manufacturing problems.

Pros

• Good materials
• Comes with what you need to play
• Works with headphones or an amp
• Feels similar to an acoustic
• Has a warranty

Cons

• Not suitable for an orchestra

FAQs About The Best Cecilio Cellos Guide

Final Note On The Best Cecilio Cellos Guide

When shopping for an instrument, you should consider the best Cecilio cellos guide. The brand may not have a lot of models, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it completely.

For beginners, I’d recommend the Cecilio CCO-100 because it’s affordable and has some good qualities. You can use it until it wears out or until you can afford an upgrade.

If you’re looking to play silently or with an amp, consider the Cecilio CECO-3BK. It’s a great tool to practice or perform, and you can get a good sound from it.

No matter which you choose, be sure to test it before committing to it. Then, your instrument can help motivate you to practice and improve.

Looking for more interesting readings? Check out:

• How to Find the Best Electric Cello
• Best Carbon Fiber Cello Options
• How to Find the Best Bass Cello-My Top Recommendations
• How to Find the Best Cello Strings: My Best Advice On Finding The Perfect Strings For Your Cello
• What is a Fretted Cello and Does it Work? (And Why I Suggest You Stay Away From Them)