I'm buying a vintage Engelhardt, model as-yet-uknown, but 40" total length. Long story, I know it's not complete crap, but obviously no Juzek.

I'm buying it in hopes that my nieces may one day learn to play (if they so desire). In the meantime is there any reason I couldn't try to play? I bought a crappy Victory off eBay once, that quite literally broke whilst tuning. I learned two things from this escapade: 1. A $150 cello isn't even worth that much and 2. I'm fairly certain a 4/4 is much to big for me.

I'm an average sized female, 5'6" and relatively thin. Long fingers, but a bit arthritic these days. Dexterity isn't quite what it used to be.

Don't get me wrong -- I have absolutely no aspirations of any kind of career in cello, or even playing publicly. Just for my own personal pleasure, and when my girlfriends all get together and someone wants to take over the drums for a spell.

Provided that I get a lengthened pin, is there any reason this isn't feasible? The sites I've seen thus far say a 1/2 is for children "8-12"...but those same sites say that an adult "of any size should only play a 4/4". I disagree on the basis that everyone is different.

Sorry for rambling. SOMEONE please tell me if I'm crazy. Cheers,

Babodie

Thank you! I've actually quite enjoyed fiddling around with it. It needs a lot of work; the soundpost is waaaay off center and has actually caused the top to warp, the bridge is much too high for me, etc. but I'm loving it! I'll eventually graduate to a 3/4 (and probably stop there) but may put viola strings on the 1/2 when I do. Just because.

Thanks again!