Cello Repair

cello instrument diagram

Cello Care and Maintenance Tips

  1. Always keep your instrument in its case when not in use.
  2. Avoid rapid temperature changes. If you bring your cello from a cold area into a warm area leave it in its case, to change temperature slowly, because cracking of the finish or wood can occur. A good rule-of-thumb is not to leave your cello any place that you would not like to be. So don't leave it in extreme hot or cold environments.
  3. After you are finished playing remove any rosin and hand oils from the instrument with a soft cloth. Don't let rosin buildup on your cello. Remove it after each time you play. It is very difficult to remove if left on your instrument for any length of time.
  4. Keep an eye on the bridge. As you tune the instrument the strings tend to pull the top of the bridge toward the fingerboard. If the bridge tips too much it will fall over. This can break the bridge or even crack the top. If the bridge falls the sound post inside the cello may also fall over. The back side of the bridge (side toward the tailpiece) should be at a right angle to the top and the feet on the bridge should touch the top uniformly. If your bridge tilts take your cello to a shop and have them show you how to straighten it. It’s not hard to do but unless it is done correctly you could break it.
  5. Be sure that the pegs turn freely with minimum pressure toward the peg box. Over time the pegs will go out of round and start to slip. If this happens they will need to be refitted for proper operation. During dry conditions they may shrink, causing slipping. In humid conditions they may swell causing them to stick. Never force a peg into the peg box if it slips and if it is stuck don't force it either. You could break the peg or the peg box under these conditions. Take your instrument to a repair shop and have them correct the problem.

Bow Care and Maintenance Tips

  1. Be careful not to bang the head or drop the bow as this can break the head.
  2. Keep the bow away from extreme heat. This can warp the bow.
  3. Always loosen the hair when you are not using the bow. Over time this can warp the bow and stretch the hair.
  4. Keep the bow stick clean by wiping off excess rosin and any perspiration after each use.

Maintenance and Repair Plan

Your musical instrument is an investment worth protecting!

A well maintained instrument encourages beginners to practice more and allows experienced players to achieve the freedom and artistry they desire!

With the purchase of a musical instrument you have made a valuable investment you will want to protect. Our Comprehensive Maintenance Agreement offers you the opportunity to maintain your instrument in the most cost effective way possible. Over the years Ward-Brodt technicians have identified the maintenance and repairs most often required and with our plan all of these standard procedures are completely covered under one annual fee.

Instruments must be examined and approved by our technicians prior to coverage. New or used instruments purchased from Ward-Brodt are automatically eligible within seven days of purchase. Please note that Ward-Brodt reserves the right to refuse coverage on any instrument.


Cello Repair Pricing

Cellos

Service Details Estimate of Price
Set Up / Basic Adjustment A set up will get your instrument in optimal playing condition. We will remove the strings, apply peg compound to all pegs, clean the the fingerboard, install new or existing strings, position bridge, stretch strings if needed, adjust fine tuners, tighten the chin rest, clean rosin from strings, fingerboard, and body of instrument. A final inspection, tuning, play test, and wipe down will ensure play-ability of your cello.

*Price of new strings is additional.
Student Cellos - $40

Step-Up Cellos - $45
Fit or Adjust Bridge If we can work with your existing bridge to correct the height, and confirm it is straight with no warping present, we will adjust it and place the bridge in the correct location. If evaluating your existing bridge, our string professional determines it needs to be replaced,. we will correctly fit a new bridge blank so it has a good fit with the top of your instrument. We’ll finish the bridge to a smooth condition and give proper string height and string spacing based on the new bridge. we also trim and thin bridge as required to give best tonal results. Finally we’ll fit the feet of the bridge to fit flush with the surface of the top so there are no gaps. A new bridge or adjustment also includes our set up work. A final inspection, tuning, play test, and wipe down will ensure play-ability of your cello.

*Price of new strings is additional.
Existing Bridge Student Cello $80
New Bridge Student Cello $100
Existing Bridge Step-Up Cello $90
New Bridge Step-Up Cello $120
Fit New Pegs If the current pegs have worn down so they no longer fit properly and have trouble tuning, they will need to be replaced. We will fit each peg blank properly to the hole in the scroll, and properly position the new peg hole for proper string placement. This is done as a set of 4, and includes our set up work. A final inspection, tuning, play test, and wipe down will ensure play-ability of your cello.

*Price of new strings is additional.
Student Cellos - $55

Step-Up Cellos - $65
Fit New Nut Fit new ebony nut for cello. This also includes our set up work. A final inspection, tuning, play test, and wipe down will ensure playability of your cello.

*Price of new strings is additional.
Student Cellos - $80

Step-Up Cellos - $90
Fit New Sound Post Fit and properly position new sound post. This also includes our set up work. A final inspection, tuning, play test, and wipe down will ensure play-ability of your cello.

*Price of new strings is additional.
Student Cellos - $55

Step-Up Cellos - $65
Fit New Saddle Fit new saddle. This also includes our set up work. A final inspection, tuning, play test, and wipe down will ensure play-ability of your cello.

*Price of new strings is additional.
Student Cellos - $80

Step-Up Cellos - $90
Fit New Button / End Plug / Tail Adjuster Fit a new button, end plug, or tail adjuster. This also includes our set up work. A final inspection, tuning, play test, and wipe down will ensure play-ability of your cello.

*Price of new strings is additional.
Student Cellos - $45

Step-Up Cellos - $50
Reset / Adjust Nut Reset or adjust nut only. $30.00
Reset / Adjust Fingerboard Reset or adjust fingerboard only. $70
Reset / Adjust Saddle Reset or adjust saddle only. $45
Reset / Adjust Sound Post Reset or adjust sound post only. $30
Install Fine Tuners Install multiple or single fine tuners or adjusters only. Full Set of 4 - $20

Single Fine Tuner - $6 each
Open Seams Closing open seams, re-gluing ribs, tops, and bottoms back together. Seams totaling 12" or less - $35

Seams totaling 12" or more - $3 per inch
Other Work Any other specific work or issues not limited to cracks in wood, removing of top or back, broken necks, broken peg boxes, neck resets, shims, replacement parts, instrument modifications, finish work, buffing, or other cosmetic issues, are handled by estimate only. Estimate Only
Ward-Brodt Music offers FREE ESTIMATES on all instrument repairs. It's important to note that every instrument and repair situation is different. The prices listed above are estimates only and your repair may need more or less work than is listed. Our staff will always contact you if a price is going to exceed the estimate before doing any work. Prices are subject to change at anytime without notice.
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