Approximately how much will it cost to repair my cello?

Question

I had my cello repaired some time ago because the tail piece had to be realigned. Unfortunately, it was not done well. There is an open seam along the bottom and a 4 or 5 inch crack in the back. Unrelated to the botched repair job there is also a 1 inch crack at the top. I know it's not going to be cheap but I'm really looking to repair it. Any help you could provide would be appreciated.

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Answer 1

your cracks are in the most mundane places for a new cello - It's really quite astounding :P



ok so in order for those seams to be all glued up, assuming that you don't just want to get another cello, the person who'd fix it would have to take the top off. These cracks are not easy to fix. I am guessing an estimate of 500 dollars for the fix, and then some. And it varies from luthier to luthier (cello fixer).



Whoever 'tried' to fix your tailpiece did a HORRIBLE job if it came back with these open wounds. Go to that person and say to them, "Look, I wanted my cello fixed, and it came back worse than before." When you do this, you finish by bargaining with them. You strike a deal and either coax out a full refund and go somewhere else to get it repaired (which I strongly recommend), or you demand that since it got injured in their care, that they fix it free of charge.



Just out of curiosity, exactly what do you mean by 'realigned'? For me, if a tailpiece doesn't fit, I go to a good instrument repair shop, and buy a new one. I do know that in the process of the 'fixing' that happened with your cello, they stressed the wood, and generally ruined the selling quality of this cello. I am peeved to see a cello treated like this. The person who did this to the cello was not a cellist, and most certainly did not know what they were doing.



I recently had the top taken off of my cello by an expert, and it took him a week to do it. Of course he had a life, but still. It takes time.



There are many tips and ways to fixing cellos, and I could ramble for hours, but I will sum it up for you; your cello is irreparable unless you can get it to a professional cello or violin luthier fast. If you don't the seams will probably continue to open because of the cold weather we've been having, for wood expands with the temperature. If when you play it and it buzzes, then you know that the cracks are getting a bit wider every time you play it. Sorry to be the one to break the news to you like this :S



The estimated sum this will all cost (at least in Canada where I live, with my dollar) will be 3 digits, most likely over 500. Can you handle it?

Answer 2

Cello Repair Costs

Answer 3

The only way you will know is to take it in and get an estimate.

From what I see and the repair cost around here $200 -$350

Answer 4

It is cheaper to order a spare powercord cable which you can do from the HP website spares department rather than repairing the powercord. Check the HP website or ebay. But I would say max £45