This cello is characterised by a really pleasing tone - even throughout and speaking with openness and responsiveness, easy to play on. The materials are well chosen - a beautiful two-piece back and sides of well-figured maple with a medium curl. A darker mark in the upper right bout is a natural sap mark in the wood and adds character to the instrument. It has no structural implication. Workmanship is very good throughout - tidy work in the corners and purfling neatly traced. Varnish is an amber oil-based application.

This cello is new, but has been artificially "antiqued" to look much older and worn than it actually is. Today such antiquing is not regarded as trickery or deceit, but is acceptable and very much the norm in lutherie, adding character and visual interest to an instrument.

As with the other similar celli on this page, this instrument represents the top-end trade fare that is increasingly establishing itself in the international arena where excellent workmanship, very good tone and fine materials meet in a good, satisfying, responsive and above all, affordable, instrument. These instruments compete with the best output of some leading master instrument builders, providing an accessible alternative to the expensive fine hand made instruments produced in some of the leading European violinmaking studios.

This cello passes with conviction as a serious instrument that conforms to all the requirements one may have for a professional instrument.

Dimensions :
	Standard full-size, Stradivari model

Condition :
	Excellent

Provenance :
	This cello was made to the specifications of Johan Grobbelaar and is now owned by him.

Price :	Withheld
	This cello is on a par with instruments that cost twice as much.