My name is Hanno Strydom. I am a former professional cellist and MacPhail Center for Music faculty member.

In my experience, two factors are decisive in a student’s musical development: the quality of the instruction they receive, and the quality of the instrument they play. Nothing dampens enthusiasm and stymies progress more than an unresponsive, poorly set-up instrument.

String Instrument Rescue is a little project I started to facilitate greater access to excellent instruments, at prices that are dramatically more affordable than traditional violin shops can offer.

By leveraging the expertise and industry connections I gained over many years, I locate instruments that may otherwise not make it to market: instruments that have minor cosmetic issues, have been damaged somewhere along the supply chain from maker to dealer, or have in some other way been left to languish in dealer warehouses, etc.

A number of these instruments are of exceptional quality, with issues that are essentially cosmetic, do not impact playability or structural integrity, and can easily be repaired by a skilled luthier. In collaboration with trusted friends in the industry, I identify and rescue these worthy instruments.

Having acquired an instrument, I hire a local luthier to restore it to prime condition and set it up for optimal playability, before offering it at a massive discount.

A neglected high-quality instrument is brought back to peak condition, a deserving local luthier is employed, and an aspiring string player gains access to an instrument that might otherwise be unaffordable.

This is an inherently slow, small scale, low volume process, but every instrument rescued and every player served brings me great satisfaction.

Naturally, purchasing a rescue instrument involves a unique set of considerations and trade-offs that I spell out in detail on my Buyer Considerations and Disclosures page.

I will post rescued instruments below as they become available. Please send inquiries to me at StringInstrumentRescue@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you,

-Hanno

Available Now…

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Jay Haide 2016 Modèle artistique à l’ancienne 4/4 Cello

Plus Hard Case, Bow & Numerous Upgrades

$5,500 (including cello & ~$1,300 in accessories & upgrades)

Jay Haide Modèle artistique à l’ancienne 4/4 cello, made in 2016. Selling here on behalf of the current owner (NOT A STRING INSTRUMENT RESCUE CELLO). This cello just came from the luthier’s workshop and is in perfect condition. This cello was originally purchased from the highly selective St. Paul violin shop, John R. Waddle Violins, Inc.

Jay Haide Modèle artistique à l’ancienne cellos are highly prized for their excellent craftsmanship, aesthetic beauty, and tonal qualities, which are unrivalled in their price range. This is a perfect instrument for an advancing cellist.

While all Jay Haide cellos are hand-made of quality seasoned maple and spruce and have tonal characteristics and workmanship normally found in much more expensive instruments, the Modèle artistique à l’ancienne cellos are made by more senior luthiers with finer quality wood for musicians seeking the most refined tone quality. This Strad pattern features a fine maple back and spruce top, finished in a sophisticated, deep reddish-brown oil varnish, carefully applied and beautifully antiqued to give the instrument the sought after patina of a fine Italian instrument.

Originally purchased for $5,200, this instrument features ~$1,300 of upgrades and extras, including:

• Posture pegs installed for both G and C strings ($150), allowing maximal ease of movement while playing. The original ebony pegs are also included, should the new owner wish to convert back.
• Tonarelli Hard Case, Green ($600)
• Krentz Modulator ($150), a sophisticated wolf note suppressing device favored by many professional cellists
• Extra bridge ($289): a taller bridge for lower humidity in winter and a shorter bridge for higher humidity in summer.
• Bow ($100)

Official Jay Haide page about this model

Please email Hanno at StringInstrumentRescue@gmail.com to inquire or to schedule a time to try this instrument.

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Recently Sold…

SOLD – 2023 Snow HC600 Per Caso 4/4 Cello

$5,500 $8,800

Brand new Snow Per Caso HC600 4/4 cello acquired from a well known Midwest violin shop through an excess stock liquidation sale. This cello is in excellent condition, and is in every respect equal to its full priced siblings. This cello has a list price of $8,800. I am offering it here for $5,500.

A beautiful Montagnana copy made in 2023 by the highly respected Xueping Hu workshop in Beijing, China, this cello has a powerful, even tone across all registers. Xueping Hu lists this model as an “advanced” level cello. Having played this one for for several days, I concur! Visit the Snow website for more about this cello.

Reminiscent of a great modern Italian instrument, I’ve had this cello set up with a French style bridge to complement its tonal characteristics, and the combination of Larsen upper and tungsten Spirocore lower strings favored by professional players. I also had the fingerboard dressed for optimal playability, along with some minor varnish touch-ups.

Please email Hanno at StringInstrumentRescue@gmail.com to inquire or to schedule a time to try this instrument.

Please refer to my Buyer Considerations & Disclosures page

SOLD – Eastman VC701 Rudoulf Doetsch 4/4 Cello

$3,600 $5,000

Brand new Eastman Rudoulf Doetsch VC701 4/4 cello acquired from a well known Midwest violin shop through an excess stock liquidation sale. This cello is in excellent condition, and is in every respect equal to its full priced siblings. This cello regularly retails for around $5,000. I am offering it here for $3,600.

This is an an excellent Rudoulf Doetsch Stradivari model cello. Eastman lists this model as a “professional” level instrument. This one has a beautiful combination of tone quality and projection. Along with minor varnish touch-ups, I have had it set up with a Belgian style bridge, and the combination of Larsen upper and tungsten Spirocore lower strings favored by professional players. For more about this model, visit the Eastman website.

Eastman Rudoulf Doetsch cellos are highly prized for offering remarkable tonal quality, combined with fine craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal, at a very reasonable price. Often purchased by professional players as a second “back-up” instrument, this is a perfect instrument for an advancing cellist.

Eastman describes this model as follows: Rudoulf Doetsch instruments are hand crafted by our master luthiers and are hailed by teachers and performers as some of America’s best German tonewood instruments. They feature a highly select spruce top with maple back, sides and scrolls, and a hand applied antique-style, multi-layer spirit varnish. The result is an instrument that is professional in both appearance and sound.

Please email Hanno at StringInstrumentRescue@gmail.com to inquire or to schedule a time to try this instrument.

Please refer to my Buyer Considerations & Disclosures page

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SOLD – Eastman VC 502 2022 Pietro Lombardi 4/4 Cello

$3,500 (Usually Retails for $5.4–$6.1K)

Brand new Eastman Strings Pietro Lombardi 4/4 cello, made in 2022. No issues, no prior owners. Acquired at 2024 end-of-year stock liquidation of an established Twin Cities violin shop. In every respect this cello is equal to its full priced siblings.

The Pietro Lombardi (VC 502) is an excellent intermediate to advancing cello from the Eastman Strings cello lineup. This Strad model features a beautifully flamed maple back and a highly select spruce top, finished in a sophisticated amber colored spirit varnish reminiscent of fine Italian makers.

This cello is currently set up with ebony trimmed boxwood pegs, Wittner tailpiece, carbon fiber endpin, Belgian style bridge, and a combination of Larsen upper and tungsten Spirocore lower strings widely favored by professional players.

This is a refined, tonally sophisticated instrument, even and comfortably playable through all registers. It would make a perfect cello for an advancing student.

With a regular retail price of $5.4K–$6.1K, I am thrilled to be able to offer this cello for just $3,500.

Official Eastman Strings page about this model

Please email Hanno at StringInstrumentRescue@gmail.com to inquire or to schedule a time to try this instrument.

Please refer to my Buyer Considerations & Disclosures page

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I founded String Instrument Rescue to promote participation in and access to classical music by lowering the barrier to entry posed by the high cost of acquiring an instrument.

String Instrument Rescue is a way for me to leverage the expertise and connections I earned over three decades in the classical music world, and pay it forward.

It would be my pleasure to help you find your next instrument.