Samuel Eastman Giocoso Antique

Probably the most successful model made by Eastman. Giocoso is our private label model name, but this instrument is comparable to their 305 model. Lovely, tasteful antique varnish that is not only beautiful, but lightweight to enhance tone and projection.

Dunov 402 Superior

Offers a very sophisticated antique look and choice European tone woods. A top seller in our showroom for decades.

Dunov 401 Honors

Entry level Dunov model offers the advancing player room to grow. Another very popular model in our showroom.

Samuel Eastman Conservatory

This is the 605 model from Eastman, which we call Conservatory. It offers a significant step up from the 305 model with better wood, varnish process, and adjustments to the graduations that make this model more appealing to a player with rapidly advancing skills. The antiquing of the varnish is subtle and there is much more depth than the 305.

Xueping Hu Model 200

Also known as Snow 200. This is the popular, entry-model from this workshop. Snow is a small workshop by Chinese standards, and is also a family-run business. We like the round, warm tone balance that these instruments offer, because they represent a nice alternative to many other Cellos, which are engineered to be bright and sharply focused. This model features very clean carving, subtle antiquing, and an easy response, especially in the low range.

Core Conservatory C30

Tastefully antiqued, with European Spruce top.

Xueping Hu Model 400

Like the model 200, but with better wood selection and graduations to appeal to a highly skilled player. Greater projection and range of tonal possibilities. Also known as Snow 400.

Core Symphony SM30

This instrument features a well-seasoned maple back aged at least 7 years! Combined with experienced craftsmanship, the resulting tonal qualities are well-balanced, with both clarity and warmth, refinement and power.

Core Soloist SO30

Performance level cello constructed of spruce and maple aged at least 10 years! Powerful projection capable of full dynamic expression with a rich, complex tonal palette suitable for discerning musicians. Sophisticated, subtle "antiqued" varnish highlights the artistic workmanship. Aged 5 years after their construction and prior to varnishing.

Core Dragon DR05

As the entry-level Dragon cello, this instrument really delivers for the money! The color-shaded spirit varnish is less antiqued than the higher level Dragon instruments. This is an excellent step-up instrument.

Core Dragon DR10

Medium to medium-dark red-brown, semi-opaque varnish of medium gloss; mild, tasteful physical antiquing.

Core Dragon DR20

Transparent medium golden amber varnish.

Core Dragon DR30

Similar varnish to our DR20-VC with even finer wood selection.

Core Dragon DR50

Transparent blonde to medium amber varnish of a slightly higher polish than our DR40-VC; beautiful detail and symmetry through the box and scroll. Triple-A wood selection

Core Dragon DR40

Transparent medium golden amber varnish. Another step up in materials selection.

Pietro Lombardi

The Pietro Lombardi is made with a beautifully flamed maple back and a highly select spruce top. The sophisticated amber colored spirit varnish of the Lombardi is reminiscent of Italian makers.

Jean-Pierre Lupot

Stradivari Cello is made with a well flamed maple back and a select spruce top. The elegantly antiqued spirit varnish has lovely reddish tone.

Core Select Model 4000 "Davidoff"

Authentic Stradivari cellos are still being played by the world's greatest cellists, and the 1712 Davidov Strad is a fine example of the B form cellos for which he is most famous. Played in concerts and recordings by Jaqueline Du Pre and then Yo-Yo Ma in the 20th century, it is named after the great 19th century Russian cellist Karl Davidov, a contemporary of Tchaikovsky. This Core Select Davidov is a beautiful reproduction crafted with special care in the archings and graduations for a brilliant, singing quality. The well-aged tonewoods are not only beautiful, but give the player a vibrant, flexible response capable of a variety of styles. Body length - 755 mm; Upper Bout - 343 mm; Lower Bout - 439 mm.

Core Select Model 4000 "Garimberti"

Core Select Model 4000 "Gofriller"

Matteo Gofriller (1659-1742) stands alone as the first great Venetian maker, influencing Gobetti, Montagnana, and Serafin. Gofriller's cellos have been prized by soloists like Janos Starker, Matt Haimovitz, and Anner Bylsma for their deep, rich tonal qualities. The Core Select Gofriller model features the wide bouts of some original examples, and delivers an amazing C-string that blossoms evenly throughout the middle registers to a soloistic A-string. The red-brown amber varnish, tastefully antiqued, highlights the well-figured maple and even grain spruce. Excellent response with wide dynamic range. Body length - 755 mm; Upper Bout - 358 mm; Lower Bout - 435 mm.

Core Select Model 4000 "Maggini"

A truly unique cello pattern with a longer outline, broader shoulders, elongated f-holes and double-purfling, this Core Select model is based on the work of the great Giovanni Paolo Maggini (c.1580-1630) of Brescia, Italy. Maggini and his teacher Gasparo da Salo were making slightly different pattern violin-family instruments about a century earlier than Stradivari and Guarneri in neighboring Cremona. The Maggini model works especially well for violas and cellos to give an extremely rich lower register, and great depth of tone throughout the full range. Using aged tonewoods, these are made in the centuries-old European tradition using classical techniques. Body length - 758 mm; Upper Bout - 360 mm; Lower Bout - 455 mm.

Core Select Model 4000 "Montagnana"

Domenico Montagnana (1686-1750) was one of the great makers of Venice, and is especially renowned for his cellos which are as distinctive in appearance as they are in their unique tonal qualities. The wider pattern, and slightly flatter archings give these cellos a deep, powerful baritone voice with a sizzling tenor range making them ideal for the world's best cellists: Yo-Yo Ma, Heinrich Schiff, Raphael Wallfisch, and Steven Isserlis among others. The Core Select Montagnana model is a fantastic sounding modern cello crafted in the pattern and spirit of Montagnana. Well-figured maple, even grain spruce, amber-red varnish, tastefully antiqued. Powerful projection, even balance, wide tonal palette. Body length - 745 mm; Upper Bout - 363 mm; Lower Bout - 439 mm.

Core Select Model 4000 "Rocca"

The narrower pattern is not quite 7/8, but with more slender shoulders than traditional models, the Core Select Rocca is very comfortable for the petite cellist, perfect for shifting into higher positions. Based on the work of Giuseppe Rocca (1807-1865), this talented maker from Turin, Italy was himself inspired by the Stradivari and Guarneri instruments of the preceding century. As the repertoire changed from the 1700s to the 1800s and musicians demanded more powerful projection, the great Cremonese models became fully appreciated during Rocca's time for their soloistic virtues. Seasoned tonewoods and careful workmanship help give this Core Select Rocca a tenor voice that projects clearly. Body length - 740 mm; Upper Bout - 335 mm; Lower Bout - 426 mm.

Core Select Model 4000 "Sleeping Beauty"

Core Select Model 4000 "Stainer"

The warmth and complexity of tone gives the Stainer model a distinct place in the Core Select lineup. The fuller arching, and wide placement of the f-holes impart these sweet, delicate acoustic qualities which reflect an earlier musical aesthetic. During his time, Jacob Stainer (1617-1683) of Absam was in demand as a luthier for royal court musicians throughout Austria, Germany, Italy and Spain. The beautiful, pure sound of the baroque period was embodied by the Stainer design, and for today's cellists this Core Select replica is particularly well-suited for orchestral and chamber music. Body length - 752 mm; Upper Bout - 355 mm; Lower Bout - 444 mm.