Event number two of three from June 3. Yesterday, I posted about my Jargar Superior Cello Strings that Jargar sent me. That was the first of two interesting things that happened yesterday. Receiving the strings was not a surprise, I knew they were coming, but it was interesting.

We also went to the pawnshop in the nearby (44-50 miles) city. I bought Pawnshop Cello there last year, the cello I gave my niece. Yesterday, I came home with a 3/4 cello and a viola. The 3/4 cello is in great shape, like Pawnshop Cello. Doesn’t have the Planetary geared pegs that Pawnshop cello has, but the body and fingerboard, etc is in just as good a condition. There are no strings on it. We handled it very carefully so the soundpost would remain intact. The pegs turn nicely in 3/4 Pawnshop Cello (have to name her yet), no squeaking or jarring. The tailpiece is great. The seams show no issues. It is just a sweet cello. Later, I will explain why I go there and rescue these instruments, maybe another post.

I know I do not need these but they are not breaking the bank. If they cost more, I would not be rescuing them. I get them very inexpensively and am able to wiggle the price down. I know where this cello originated, the shop that sold het is in that city. He switched brands a few years ago. Not sure if this maker still exists. That violin shop sold that brand for years. The luthier sells student, intermediate, professional and high end string instruments, and his own, typical violin shop. The pawnshop manager said that is where the original owner bought her, too. It is a student cello, but not an inexpensive one (meaning not Celilio price). It is just a one owner cello, now two owners. The padded case it came with was obviously purchased used.

Okay, 3/4 Pawnshop cello is patiently waiting in the corner for her strings. She came with a bow and a padded bag. The bag has been worn, but is in terrific shape. I worry about bringing unwanted guests in so, I put the bag zipped closed, into my front loader washer with Tide and Clorox 2. I used HOT water. If it shrunk, it shrunk. At the price I paid for it and the cello and bow, I could get another. I then turned it inside out and zipped it almost all the way (needed to be able to put my hand inside to unzip later) and washed it the same way, again. I repeated the wash. I left all pockets unzipped each time, and they were emptied. I then put it into my dryer. It looks wonderful, a little thread worn in spots, but that is character. As far as I can tell, it did not shrink. I am not going to put 3/4 Pawnshop Cello inside until after I get the strings on her.

I know little ones (great-nieces and great-nephews) who would love to try out a cello. They would be a little small for a cello this size, but that is what I have and they will be able to get introduced to one, if they are interested. It is smaller than my 4/4 cellos. I have a great-niece in mind. Niece of the niece I gave my original Pawnshop cello to.

This post is long enough, so I will tell you about pawnshop purchase 2 in another post.