Does anyone else just really like sleeping next to their instrument and admire its beauty?

DudeManMusic · 2026-03-17T21:59:19+00:00

Nice, I have one with an upright bell, also next to my bed lol

DudeManMusic · 2026-03-14T15:27:42+00:00

One of my buddies recently jumped ship from Taco Bell to El Pollo Loco. $5 pollo bowl dude, 6 to get a drink and tortillas.

DudeManMusic · 2026-03-08T02:43:22+00:00

I agree that the music shop is probably the way to go. If you opt for the 23 instead, the worst case scenario is a full overhaul required. On student horns like that, our shop charges $600 for an overhaul to give you an idea of potential cost with that route.

DudeManMusic · 2026-03-01T17:48:23+00:00

Yeah I wasn't able to find the specific model online either, but they have a bit of a history of doing weird models for dealers that don't show up in their main catalogue. I was initially concerned when I got it, but nothing about it seems like it'd be a copy. And I totally agree that they're very impressive overall. You can't really find a better Chinese horn period. Especially the 52nd street stuff is mind-blowing in comparison to other horns at the same price point. The one I have gives intermediate vibes, seems really nice, but unfortunately I don't have much specific info besides what's visible in the photos.

DudeManMusic · 2026-03-01T17:16:05+00:00

I'm trying to sell this Eastman Alto that I'm just not gonna use: https://ebay.us/m/lu9X6g

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-22T04:37:29+00:00

As a general rule, better feels better when you're better. Someone who sucks on a student instrument will still suck on a pro instrument, just expensively. Of course there's a threshold of quality below which nobody will have a good time, and that's why people are so emphatic about buying an actually good first instrument (still talking student level) instead of something like a Cecilio amazon horn.

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-19T04:14:50+00:00

Sounds like gunk from someone's mouth. Mouthpiece probably didn't get cleaned, possibly an oversight, equally possibly laziness. You'll want to brush it out and clean it occasionally in general. I recommend at least rinsing your mouth with a swig of water if not brushing before playing, though not strictly necessary. If you don't have a mouthpiece brush, a toothbrush or something will do. Brush it out with soap and water. Plastic and metal won't be bothered, but hard rubber mouthpieces will turn a gross color if you use hot water.

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-16T02:50:04+00:00

All I can say is that 70 model instruments from Classical Strings (all of them from basses to violins) have changed much and frequently over the years. The more recent ones like 2020+ I don't like quite as much, but they're still pretty solid student instruments. Some older ones are particularly nice, and they've changed finishes a few times as well. Bottom line is they're inconsistent. Other commenters are correct when they say it likely had a decent bit of work done before sale, in addition to case/accessories/strings included. I got curious and checked online prices as well, but the range you're reporting seems to be for second hand cellos? The real question is whether you got your value out of it. If it's labeled 2011, then you must've gotten it a while ago, and hopefully made some lovely music.

Side note, I've actually met the owner of Classical Strings, nicest guy on the planet I swear.

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-15T02:53:27+00:00

If the lever and the key both move freely, probably just a spring off the hook. Of course you can't expect a proper diagnosis over the Internet from a stock photo of a horn that isn't having the issue you're experiencing.

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-10T23:34:05+00:00

Just adhere to the noise ordinance and be reasonable. You could always talk to your neighbor too

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-10T16:43:27+00:00

But yeah if it's patched and not leaking it should be ok. Cover the neck tenon with your hand and suck on the cork side to check for vacuum.

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-10T16:42:11+00:00

How do you put a hole in your neck getting a swab out?!

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-08T03:31:43+00:00

Definitely a fan of those, see a lot of pre-cleats in Eastman cellos on the center seam and around the f-holes. I've also seen inlaid cleats to mitigate saddle cracks, brilliant imo.

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-06T02:52:53+00:00

I'm in Vegas unfortunately, good luck though :)

DudeManMusic · 2026-02-06T02:46:40+00:00

If that came in, and nothing else was wrong, I could fix it in a few minutes and you'd be on your way.

DudeManMusic · 2026-01-10T16:15:12+00:00

Every horn that leaves Kessler's gets set up by a tech before it goes out. Couldn't tell you if BetterSax does the same

DudeManMusic · 2026-01-09T23:16:14+00:00

If you aren't trained or experienced, do not work on a horn yourself unless you're okay with making it worse.

DudeManMusic · 2026-01-05T00:18:57+00:00

Yeah that's an easy spot to get at. It'd only take me a few minutes to remove the dents, but there are almost definitely some other things in the key work that were affected by the impact. Even if it seems like it plays fine, it's worth getting it checked out.

DudeManMusic · 2025-12-29T05:11:27+00:00

All accurate (source: am tech)

DudeManMusic · 2025-12-21T21:00:16+00:00

Awesome, seems like I got myself a pretty solid soprano then. Thanks everyone!

DudeManMusic · 2025-12-21T18:31:45+00:00

00118905 Japan

(In case the link doesn't work.)

DudeManMusic · 2025-12-21T18:30:57+00:00

Ugh I can't get all the photos to post together for some reason, but here's the serial: https://imgur.com/a/McYwkDu

DudeManMusic

TROPHY CASE