1920s German-made Strad-copy 4/4 Cello



I did a little work on this cello back in 2019 -- added geared Perfection Pegs to the head and set it up with a set of Dominant-like, synthetic-core strings. This time around it's here on consignment so I did the rest of the work I needed to make it presentable -- fit a new bridge and glued a couple of slightly-loose seams.

Anyhow, it now plays nicely and has a good, even tone with a nice, robust, middle. I would love to hear what it can do with a slightly-heavier set of strings -- Jargars, maybe? -- and a proper player. It's crack-free save one small repaired hairline at the treble f-hole and is in good order structurally throughout otherwise.

While I can't confirm the date, the label and general build suggests 1920s-30s and German-made. It's possible it's a postwar instrument of the early '50s, but the age of the parts and the fact that the label just says "Germany" rather than "Made in Germany" or with an importer's other marks seem to point to late '20s or early '30s.

It's a fairly-typical full-size cello and has definitely been outfitted as a "player's" instrument. The action is low and easy, the geared Perfection Pegs make it tuning-stable and easy to tune, it has a fine-tuner synthetic tailpiece for further ease-of-use, and it comes with a student-level carbon fiber bow. The ebony fingerboard is particularly pretty, with a few mocha-colored brown streaks here and there throughout.

Repairs included: (previously) Perfection Pegs fitted to the headstock, (just done) a new bridge install, minor seam repairs, and a setup. I can adjust the soundpost location to dial-in sonic taste, if desired, too.


Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple

Bridge: maple

Fingerboard: ebony

Neck wood: maple


String height: low/fast
Strings: synthetic-core like Dominants

Neck shape: medium-bigger C

Neck relief: straight


Scale length: roughly 27 1/2"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

Body length: 30"

Body width: 17 3/8"

Body depth: 5"

Weight: 7 lbs 0 oz


Condition notes: it shows minor wear and tear throughout (scuffs, scratches, smaller nicks and dings), but is overall in great shape. There's a repaired and cleated hairline crack at the bottom of the treble f-hole. In addition there are a couple small spots along the seams where the top and sides were a tiny-bit mismatched in old repairs (up/down) and so there's a little fill in them. It's not obvious. The bridge is on the lower side but when this came in it had a "full height" bridge of a different size that had warped. This is a taller bridge that I recut lower to match.


It comes with: a '70s-style gigbag and a modern, student-level carbon fiber bow. If you need a pad of rosin, just let me know.

























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