CONTEXT:
To be 100% transparent, the first one I received via UPS was broken: the neck was detached from the body. So I ordered a second one. Great customer service by Thomann, as always.
The second one, now: good news, the neck was attached to the body. The setting was pretty good; playable from the get-go without a professional setting by a luthier.
PERSONAL USE:
Beginner cellist, experienced musician.
SOUND : the strings are terrible. Which is understandable for a 400€ cello (a good set of strings being worth 150€ at least). After I changed the strings, it sounds better. Almost good. My cello teacher said "it would do". The sound is weak; it clearly doesn't project like a good cello does.
After comparison with a much better cello I play with now, it is a strange conundrum ; because this cello is relatively quiet and not so responsive, you can get away with technical imperfections et little errors that would sound horrific on a better instrument. Your intonation is what it is, no miracle here, but you can get by with sloppy bowing, because those squeaks and squeals are much softer. It's a more forgiving instrument for beginners. You can't sound really good with it, but you also don't sound terrible. Which can be a plus.
So pros and cons here. Really lacks power, but it is steady in its sound.
On that level, great value for the price.
LOOK :
It looks beautiful. Honestly, the finish is, if simple, elegant.
BUILD :
It is made of plywood, Which is not ideal... But, surprisingly, it holds tuning really well, and the set-up hasn't moved since I got it. And I move it around all the time.
CONCLUSION:
A good beginners' instrument. You will definitively need a upgrade after some time, but it is a okay starting point.
I personnally use it as a "travel cello" ; I am not afraid of it being dommaged or stolen or lost. But I would never play it for any formal occasion (concert or recital or audition or whatever).
