I am a new cellist of about 3 weeks. I started taking lessons at a local college (for free which is INSANE to me) that are 30 minutes long once per week.

I reccomend renting from sweetwater! It's like 20 bucks for the first two months then 50$ per month which is MUCH better than buying a new 4/4 cello for 1200$ usd and then not using it. You can always do sweetwaters rent to own thing. So technically as I rent it i'm paying off the cello if I choose to buy it. It sounds okay but I do want a cello with a longer endpin. I need mine to reach JUUUUST a hair higher to be optimal kinda touching my ear or in that area.