Until really recently, I had absolutely no intention of learning to play the cello... but that was also the case when I picked up the violin almost a year ago. Go figure... @Mouse, I suspect the chronicling of your most recent cello adventures had more than a little to do with my decision

Fiddlershop is now putting the final touches on this new Soloist model. According to Mike Holstein (who you hear towards the end, telling the luthiers to pipe down because he's recording) they've been looking to complete their Fiddlerman cello line for a while and this one is it! Five more of the same are on order... should be posted to their website soon.

So, just when I was starting to feel OKish with my violin bow hand, here we go with the cello bow hold. It's just similar enough to lull you into thinking it will be a cinch... but different enough to feel foreign. Here's me on the left and Suaima (Fiddlershop's resident cellist) on the right:

Remember how ridiculously tough it was to get that violin bow pinky bent and ON TOP of the stick. Oh well.

And then there's that whole business that all of us violin starters go through trying to get comfortable with chin- and shoulder rests. Since that's not an issue with cello, I figured getting comfortable would be a cinch. Yeah, right. Here I am trying out the soloist before making my final decision: