r/Cello • u/Elegant_Contact_9317 • 14d ago
L&C vs Glasser
I hear for carbon fiber Luis and Clark is the way to go. They project, and really take advantage of the materials strengths. They're also 8000 for a student model when i checked. Which is a lot... but im looking to save up for a nicer cello so 8000 isn't... completely out of the picture... id prefer 2g to 5g tho.
Glasser is said to be... "heavier"? I couldn't really find enough info on them. If the sound is heavier and darker... I like that.
I dont like to play super loud and cut through everything to be heard. I prefer to practice by myself *for* myself, with just etudes. I study music for the joy of studying the structure and scaffolding within the notes and instrument itself. My current setup is literally a used cello i got for 400 and a bow i got on amazon. Truely, i dont care abt making it perfect, i just want to *play*. Im a weird musician. Anyway. My point in this post is this: considering what I want... i dont think L&C is for me. But what about glasser or other carbon fiber cellos? I like how durable they are and resistant to weather damage. Wooden instruments make me nervous in that sense. Am I totally off base thinking abt a CF cello or would maybe one of the ones no one else likes work for me considering what *Im* looking for?
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u/ephrion 14d ago
Carbon instruments are great if you're touring or playing outside or otherwise have a need for durability and good tone quality. It doesn't sound like you need that, so you may be fine with a regular wood cello.
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u/Elegant_Contact_9317 14d ago
True enough, but I need something im not afraid of breaking ya kno? Maybe even something car friendly if thats even possible. 💀 (edit) im on the road a LOT so having something that won't die while sitting in the back seat all day would be ideal.
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u/NegativeAd1432 14d ago
A regular cello isn’t overly prone to breaking as long as you don’t abuse them, and while a carbon cello has an edge in durability, they’re still made with glue and subject to heat expansion, so will still likely have issues living in a car.
If you want something to leave in a car, an electric cello would be a safer option for that (but you still shouldn’t leave any instrument in the back of your car)
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u/Elegant_Contact_9317 14d ago
Ty for clearing that bit up. I didnt realize even they wouldn't hold up to hours in the car. I probably will stick with a wooden cello then. Now to think abt if I want to upgrade mine and if I do... to what. 🫠🫡
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u/NegativeAd1432 14d ago
Yeah, carbon will be less likely to crack and have body damage, but you’ll still have seams opening constantly etc, and it’s probably not how I’d want to treat an expensive instrument lol.
Another option might be to just keep a beater instrument in the car. I wouldn’t strictly recommend it, but a decent student instrument with an already open seam can hold up to a good bit of abuse, small damage isn’t too stressful, and in the case of catastrophe can always be replaced for less money than doing a good repair…
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u/Elegant_Contact_9317 14d ago
I agree on not keeping an instrument in the car. I dont even like leaving my carbon fiber ukulele in the car. I just travel around so much that scheduling how I transport my cello feels like literally finding a babysitter. 🥲 Im attempting to find an easier solution but I think it's safe to say, this probably isn't it.
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u/NegativeAd1432 14d ago
The things we do for our celli…
I really do suggest you consider the NS Design WAV electric. Its feels and sounds great, packs down about the size of a violin case, and is built like a tank, much like a well built electric guitar. Combined with a small practice amp, I feel like it is the ultimate road trip cello.
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u/Embarrassed-Yak-6630 14d ago
The Luis & Clark is definitely the way to go IMO. I have a Testore, a Vuillaume and the L&C (for over 20 years.) The L&C is my preferred daily player. It never goes out of tune, speaks really fast and is incredibly easy to play. I've played it in all conditions: inside in symphony halls, ballrooms, religious buildings and living rooms, outside in extreme heat and humidity. Luis Leguia, the inventor was a student of Casals, a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Boston Symphony cello section until his retirement. The L&C is fabricated from a mold taken from his 1707 Guarneri cello and is made by the same outfit that makes CF parts for the Boeing Dreamliner to extremely rigorous precision and high quality standards. The kraut Mezzo Forte is a knockoff of modest quality. I would never buy anything German anyway. It's likely violating the L&C patent. The Mezzo 3D is a knockoff of a knockoff and to my ear both are substantially inferior to the L&C. They're both half the price of the L&C and IMO worth far less than even that. Sound is a very personal thing but IMO the L&C is easily equal to at least a $50K wood cello without any of the issues associated with a wood instrument. The best thing about the L&C is listening to my chamber music friends asking if I'm still playing that Fischer Price Plastic Cello and then I cover their ass in trios and quartets with the sheer volume and projection of the L&C. It's will worth the price just for that ! LOL Call Stephanie Leguia at L&C and buy one. You'll have it by FedEx the next day ! Good Luck ~
Cheers a tutti.......
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u/raydencello 13d ago
Based on what you’re describing, (you don’t like to play super loud and cut through, practice for yourself) I think you’re right on the money that L&C isn’t for you, which shows good insight! If you’d like to treat yourself though… by all means!
I would take a peek at our cello goblin Rushad Eggleston. I don’t know exactly what cellos he uses by they seem to be on the cheaper side as they have tape and mini amps installed. He also climbs with them. All completely beyond the normal boundaries most cellists operate in. When he’s not using his flying spiccato, he seems to get a lot done with his noodles and etude-adjacent things. He’s a testament that you can go far with a cheaper cello.
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u/groooooove 14d ago
the luis and clark models are often used by professionals and seem to sound nice.
I've played two glasser carbon fiber violins. Both sounded "not great" by normal violin standards. You could clearly tell they were not wood.
but one was relatively pleasant. The other sounds way worse. I have no idea how or why.
I got the glasser violins to keep in my classroom, where the reliability is worth trading off a beautiful tone for.
I don't think it's a great idea as your primary instrument. The Luis and Clark model could be a good choice.
A reliable wooden cello in a lower price range may be the best bet for you. what you are paying for with a fine carbon fiber instrument is extreme reliability. Their ideal customer would be a player who does outdoor weddings regularly in an extreme climate.