AboutZachary D'Alessio Expertise I can provide answers to several instrument-related questions regarding the flute, guitar, bass guitar, double-bass, cello , violin, viola, drum set, trombone - all variations, bassoon, and piano . I have had at least a one year's experience on all instruments mentioned above. Although I am only eighteen years of age, my future career is in music. I now attend the School of Music at East Carolina University for Composition and Theory, and a double major for Music Education.
Experience My experience regards questions from all types of music. My weaknesses are mainstream media concerning new age music such as pop, country, and rap. I will listen through soundtrack, alternative, rock, metal, orchestra, classical and so on.
I have played the electric bass guitar for eight years, the double bass for almost 2 years now, and the electric and acoustic guitar for 4 years. I started on the flute in sixth grade just to give it a try, and didn't like it all that much, but I do recognize it's major role in all types of music. In seventh, eighth grade, and some of nineth grade, I played the Bassoon. I love it, however, it's expensive reed costs and hard-to-find bassoon rentals prevented me from pursuing it any longer. I switched to trombone and sat first chair in the Honors Wind Ensemble 2 months after learning how to play the instrument from self-taught methods. I have played all variations of the trombone; trigger, double-trigger, and bass trombones included. I tried valve trombone, but I never really expanded in playing experience.
I have played the violin and cello on the side, by requesting my high school orchestra teacher if I could borrow the instruments and try to learn them on my own. I tried for about a year on both instruments.
I dance around with the keys of the piano in our house, although I don't know much about how to play it, I do use it to write or perform the thoughts in my head when it comes to my own musical compositions. It's where I start.
I am not that good at the drums, it may be my coordination sucks, but I try. I do incorporate it's important rhythmic role into the music I write, and do my best to include the best sound from it as possible.
Education/Credentials High school education... Almost graduated. This'll change when this semester ends, and I can say I have my diploma.
Past/Present Clients I have provided bass guitar lessons to several people in the area. I also work at the Music and Arts Center, a company that is recognized as the string, brass, wood wind, and percussion half of Guitar Center.
Question I've recently purchased this above instrument for my wife, but can find very little information about it online. A tag inside reads Klaus Geisler Celiobaumeister 174F. I have been able to find 160 models, but not the 174 model. The tag at Sam Ash said it was a Knilling. Any information will help. Thanks. William
Answer Are you 100% positive that it was a 174F? I haven't heard of a model like the "Celiobaumeister" coming out of the Knilling company... Hm. Are you 100% sure they said it was a 174F? From what I can tell, Knilling's models don't even go that high, yet. It's just not there. I think that Sam Ash has a little inventory problem on their hands. I think it would be in your best interest to call and verify what you've just purchased, because that model most certainly does not exist.
Unfortunately, I don't think I could be of a lot of help with regards to an instrument that doesn't exist, or that we can't verify. I wish I could be of more assistance, but we're just going to need to figure out what the model is first. I'll give you some tips on the types of cellos so that you won't have to go through the trouble of mailing me again, unless I missed something you want me to clarify.
The "signature models", if you will, that Knilling makes is by very well-seasoned craftsmen. Klaus Geisler specializes in the cello-creation department. There are few classes under each creator's list of instrument variations.
1. Maggini Cello - Essentially this is your top of the line cello. From what I can gather off the net, it will run you anywhere from $7,000 to $8,500, but every last penny spent on it will be well worth it. If you are a seasoned player, however, don't go out of the way to purchase this cello thinking you have the best cello out there because you spent $8,500 on it. The Maggini as well as all the other classes contain different desirable key aspects in them that make the sound and playability different from other classes that really come down to a certain person's feel and play style needs. The Maggini is extremely great sounding, with a warm touch on light rosin but can be extremely dark, and heavy with that suspense sound or that melancholy-sweet pre-solo. A lot of energy and time goes into the creation of a "good looking" cello, so it has a nice wood (I think it's European Maple?) with a nice polish and finish.
2. Maestro Cello - This is your soloist model. It is made of the same maple that the Maggini's made of, however, it has a spruce top with an ebony trim to it. Looks are incredibly important in this class because of it's preference by soloists. People will want to look at a remarkably beautiful instrument that sounds remarkably beautiful when playing by itself.
3. Guarneri Cello - This is the type of cello that you see the intermediate to borderline master level players using. It's the "step up" cello from the basic ones. It's build is focused mostly on the way it looks as opposed to the way it sounds, much unlike the Maestro and Maggini cellos.
4. Virtuoso Cello - It's just like the Guarneri, but less expensive... and along with that less distinct in body style. I'm sure they sound nearly the same, though.
5. Concerto/Symphony cello - This is the most basic cello that Knilling's Klaus Geisler makes. It's doesn't have nearly as great acoustics as the other cellos do, hence the two-piece back. Instead of coming out with the Thomastik Spirocore strings that the other classes come with, it just has standard Knilling "Premium Flat-Wound Chromesteel" strings. This is your most inexpensive class.
I hope this gives you an idea of what you're looking at should you figure out what model you actually have. I'd definitely give Sam Ash a call and ask what the deal is because Klaus Geisler just does not make a Celiobaumeister model, nor does it have 174F as a model. It just doesn't sound right either. I'm sure all is well and it was just a miscommunication somewhere within their company.
Good luck, and please, let me know if I can do more to provide information regarding your instrument!
