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James McKean 4/4 Cello
$38,000.00
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- Length of body: 29 1/4"
- Width of upper bout: 13 3/4"
- Width of c-bout: 9 1/2"
- Width of lower bout: 17 1/4"
- String length: 26 7/8"
The McKean cello speaks with a remarkably warm, complex voice that exemplifies the finest qualities of American lutherie. Its rich, full-bodied tone carries a unique chocolatey warmth that gives way to creamy complexity in the upper registers. The instrument's artistic voice is both powerful and noble, offering exceptional acoustic projection while maintaining a balanced, sculpted sound that fills performance spaces with authority. This is truly a sophisticated instrument that commands attention through its tonal depth rather than mere volume.
The cello's handling characteristics reveal the maker's profound understanding of player needs, particularly for musicians with smaller hands seeking a professional-level instrument. It demonstrates exceptional responsiveness to both speed and pressure, with a supple yet firm resistance that allows for highly expressive playing. The shorter string length makes this instrument particularly accessible, offering easy navigation in thumb positions and seamless shifts across the fingerboard. Despite its accommodating size, it sacrifices nothing in terms of sound production.
From a technical standpoint, this instrument's consistency and reliability make it a trustworthy partner for the most demanding performance contexts. Whether in solo repertoire, chamber settings, or orchestral work, it maintains its distinct noble character while offering remarkable versatility. The cello's malleable response allows for extensive tonal sculpture, making it an ideal choice for professional soloists who demand an instrument capable of the finest artistic expression.
4/4, Crafted in 2016, used, on consignment
This is a consignment instrument. Please see my policies on Consignment Cellos before purchasing.
Set-up:
- Magnacore strings
- Ebony Hill-style pegs
- French Bridge
- Bois d'Harmonie French-style Boxwood Tailpiece with fine tuners
- 10mm New Harmony Solid Carbon Endpin, Gold-plated
Buying a Cello Online from Linda West Cellos
All of our cellos (except for those on consignment or mezzo-forte instruments) come with a 14-day trial period. Once you receive your new cello, play it for 2 weeks, and if it's not "the one", contact us to discuss a return or replacement. Shipping costs back to us are the buyer's responsibility. Please see our FAQs for complete details.
Most cellos will come with a case and a bow. If you are shopping from a distance, Linda will select the most compatible bow for your cello by playing the instrument and trying out several bows. As for cases, most cellos will come with a standard hard case, which really depends on the availability. We often use Eastman CACL28 or CACL18 cases as our standard case. For more expensive instruments that are noted as coming with a lightweight hardcase, this also depends on what we have in stock, and what your chosen instrument will fit into. We usually are selecting from Gewa Air, Otto Musica, Eastman or Century Strings cases in the $1,000 - $1,400 price range. We usually give you a couple options of case and color.
We know that purchasing a cello online takes an incredible amount of trust, knowledge, and information. Therefore, we go the extra mile to make sure that you have as much information about your future cello soulmate as we can possibly provide. We would love to talk to you before you put that cello in your cart and purchase it so we can help you make sure it's going to be the right one for you. Unlike big, 'volume' shops, we are intimately familiar with each cello we have listed, and are experts at cello/player match-making. We are very passionate about making sure you receive the cello that is going to make your playing blossom, and put a smile on your face every time you play.
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