My son is 10yrs old and has recently began playing the Cello. He seems to enjoy it and is doing as well as can be expected for a beginner. He is renting a 3/4 for know, but if he stays with it I would like to buy him a full size. Where would be a good area to buy? What are the realistic price ranges? My son lives with his father in another state so if anyone has any suggestions on any other items that he may need suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you again

Prices really can vary from a couple of hundreds to...well...lets not go there.
A good beginner cello should cost a couple of hundred, it really isn't a cheap instrument. But there are places out there that will sell very good beginner/student models that are second hand at very good prices.
Search the net and your local music shops for the best prices but seriously do your homework, ask his teacher, and if you can try before you buy!

My advice would be to first wait until he grows a little, I remember my first experience with a full size cello was beyond akward.

However, see if there are any cello specialists in the area. If youre buying off someone it may aswell be someone who genuinely knows the instrument. My cello cost around $900(Australian) and it was the cheapest professional full size I could find, second hand of course. The reason it came so cheap was because the prior owners had dropped tand the bridge and pegs had snapped, andthe guy who sold it to me had to doa patch job. It works perfectly well, so findinga repaired one is a good idea ifyou dont want to pay alot.

http://www.chrisbsmusic.com/strinin.html


the site above has several models in the later beginner range, take a look at the sc175 model.

a really good cello can leave a big gap in your bank account. i'd suggest taking your son to a proper instrument shop so he can try out a few different cellos to see which one he prefers. mke sure you have a maximum figure in your head first, and don't look at any cellos that are above your price range because they will most likly sound awesome and you will come out in a lot of debt.
he will also need some accessories: a black hole, resin, a mute, string cleaner.