The electric cello is a versatile instrument that gives a cellist a slew of options in regards to their instrument’s sound.
Rather than using hollowed wood to resonate like traditional string instruments, an electric cello uses pickups like an electric guitar to amplify its sound. Additionally, it allows its player to practice in silence by using headphones, something that is impossible with the wooden alternative.
In this guide, we’ll cover what to look for in an electric cello and the 10 best electric cellos available today.
Table Of Contents
- What To Look For In An Electric Cello
- Best Low-Cost Option
- 1. Cecilio CECO-4BK Ebony Electric Cello
- 2. Yamaha Silent Series SVC-50 Black Electric Cello
- 3. Stagg ECL 4/4 White Electric Cello
- 4. NS Design NXT4a Electric Cello – Sunburst
- 5. Yamaha Silent Series SVC-110SK Electric Cello
- 6. NS Design CR4 Electric Cello
- 7. Yamaha Silent Series SVC-210SK Electric Cello
- 8. NS Design CR5 Electric Cello
- 9. NS Design NXT5a 5-String Electric Cello
- 10. NS Design WAV4 Electric Cello
What To Look For In An Electric Cello
While electric cellos are not cheap, they are far less expensive than their traditional wood counterparts.
Most electric cellos will cost you between $1,000-4,000. There are some lower-quality beginner kits you can purchase for several hundred dollars, but an electric cello is not going to be a low-cost purchase.
When it comes to making your decision, there are several factors to take into account.
Brand is important, as companies like Yamaha are known to make great electric cellos. But on a more specific level, the body design is a deciding factor.
There are some electric cellos that are shaped very similarly to a traditional cello, with the same touchpoints that make contact with your body while you play. There are also designs that are more removed from the typical cello design for aesthetic reasons.
The other main factors to consider are the body/fretboard material and the electronic components, mainly the pickups. The type of pickups the cello uses will have a huge impact on the sound when played through an amplifier, which is obviously important for any electric instrument.
| Image | Pros | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Cecilio CECO-4BK Ebony Electric Cello This electric cello kit by Cecilio is a perfect option for beginners or cellists | 9.5 | Check On Amazon |
 | Yamaha Silent Series SVC-50 Black Electric Cello Yamaha is one of the main brands in the electric cello market and its SVC-50 lives up to its reputation | 9.5 | Check On SweetwaterCheck On Amazon |
 | Stagg ECL 4/4 White Electric Cello The Stagg ECL is a beautiful and practical electric cello | 9.5 | Check On Musician's FriendCheck On Amazon |
 | NS Design NXT4a Electric Cello – Sunburst Features a dual passive and active system | 9.5 | Check On SweetwaterCheck On Amazon |
 | Yamaha Silent Series SVC-110SK Electric Cello Gorgeous design, with its touchpoints resembling the shape of an acoustic cello | 9.5 | Check On SweetwaterCheck On Amazon |
 | This electric cello by NS Design is a higher end alternative to the similar NXT4a | 9.5 | Check On Sweetwater |
 | Yamaha Silent Series SVC-50 Black Electric Cello Similar model to the 110SK with a tighter and brighter sound | 9.5 | Check On SweetwaterCheck On Amazon |
 | Everything that the CR4 is body and electronic-wise, but it is a five-string cello rather than the typical four-string | 9.5 | Check On Sweetwater |
 | NS Design NXT5a 5-String Electric Cello All the same features as the NXT4a, but it also comes fitted with a fifth string | 9.5 | Check On Sweetwater |
 | The WAV4 is one of the lower-priced cellos on this list and is ideal for beginning and intermediate players | 9.5 | Check On Sweetwater |
1. Cecilio CECO-4BK Ebony Electric Cello
This electric cello kit by Cecilio is a perfect option for beginners or cellists looking for a low-cost instrument perfect for traveling. You’d be hard pressed to find a quality electric cello under $1,000 but the CECO-4BK will cost you half that amount and comes with a case, bow, rosin, headphones, aux cable and a 9V battery as it is a passive instrument and needs a power source.
Like most instruments, you get what you pay for so this is not for an advanced player looking for a top quality electric cello, but it is an extremely viable option for beginners and those looking for a great bargain instrument. Purchase it here.
Key Specs
| Material: | Maple, ebony |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | 1-year manufacturer’s limited warranty |
| Accessories: | Case, bow, rosin, aux cable, headphones, battery |
| Dimensions: | 59 in x 19 in x 14 in (1498.6 mm x 482.6 mm x 355.6 mm) |
| Weight: | 19.58 pounds (8.88 kg) |
2. Yamaha Silent Series SVC-50 Black Electric Cello
Yamaha is one of the main brands in the electric cello market and its SVC-50 lives up to its reputation. It has a beautiful and sleek design that breaks down for remarkably easy travel. It features warm Piezo pickups and a built-in preamp that allows you to plug in your headphones directly and adjust your sound.
It is over a thousand dollars more expensive than the Cecilio but it is a drastic jump in quality while also coming with a soft case, headphones, aux cable, and a strap. Purchase it here.
Key Specs
| Material: | Maple, ebony |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | Sweetwater’s 2-year total confidence coverage |
| Accessories: | Case |
| Dimensions: | 53.5 in x 12.6 in x 10.25 in (1358.9 mm x 320.04 mm x 260.35 mm) |
| Weight: | 20.1 pounds (9.12 kg) |
3. Stagg ECL 4/4 White Electric Cello
The Stagg ECL is a beautiful and practical electric cello. It has an elegant-looking fretboard and bridge with practical and ergonomic touchpoints on the sides. It has an onboard electronic system with a headphone/aux input and output as well as a ¼” output for your amplifier.
This product is at a price point in the middle of the first two options, making it a great cello for beginner and intermediate players alike.
Key Specs
| Material: | Maple |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | None |
| Accessories: | Case |
| Dimensions: | 48 in x 14 in x 4 in (1219.2 mm x 355.6 mm x 101.6 mm) |
| Weight: | 16 pounds (7.26 kg) |
4. NS Design NXT4a Electric Cello – Sunburst
This gorgeous electric cello from NS Design looks far removed from the shape of a traditional cello, with a minimal and light design perfect for gigging or traveling. It features a dual passive and active system, which does not require any batteries and will fully charge via wall unit in 60 seconds, lasting for 16 hours of play!
Its Polar Pickup System sounds just like an upright cello and allows for fine-tuning of your sound. This cello is in the middle of the typical price range making it perfect for intermediate to advanced players. Buy it here.
Key Specs
| Material: | Maple |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | Sweetwater’s two-year total confidence coverage |
| Accessories: | Gig bag, tripod stand |
| Dimensions: | 37 in x 5.5 in x 3.7 in (939.8 mm x 139.7 mm x 93.98 mm) |
| Weight: | 4.1 pounds (1.86 kg) |
5. Yamaha Silent Series SVC-110SK Electric Cello
The SVC-110SK is a step higher than the previous Yamaha model in this article by both price and quality. It has a gorgeous design, with its touchpoints resembling the shape of an acoustic cello. It also features an awesome onboard preamp system that lets you choose between three different types of reverb: room, medium hall, and large hall.
It also features a unique resonating chamber in its spruce body that helps provide its authentic sound and comes with a gig bag and other accessories. Purchase it here.
Key Specs
| Material: | Spruce body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | Sweetwater’s two-year total confidence coverage |
| Accessories: | Gig bag, headphones, aux cable |
| Dimensions: | 53 in x 19 in x 11 in (1346.2 mm x 482.6 mm x 279.4 mm) |
| Weight: | 21 pounds (9.53 kg) |
6. NS Design CR4 Electric Cello
This electric cello by NS Design is a higher end alternative to the similar NXT4a. The maple body is meticulously crafted and looks beautiful, but the real star of the show are its electronics. Its Polar Pickup System is amazing and extremely sensitive. Its built-in preamp allows you to choose between an ‘electric’ tone and an acoustic one.
Additionally, it features bass and treble EQ controls as well as volume. Purchase this wonderful instrument here.
Key Specs
| Material: | Maple, ebony fingerboard |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | Sweetwater’s two-year total confidence coverage |
| Accessories: | Deluxe gig bag |
| Dimensions: | 37 in x 5.5 in x 3.75 in (939.8 mm x 139.7 mm x 95.25 mm) |
| Weight: | 5.5 pounds (2.49 kg) |
7. Yamaha Silent Series SVC-210SK Electric Cellos
Yamaha’s SVC-210SK is a similar model to the 110SK, costing a few hundred dollars more and featuring a different body design. Their features are largely the same, though this model is known to have a ‘tighter and brighter’ sound compared to its counterparts.
The main deciding factor between the two models will be the body shape, for both comfort and aesthetic reasons. Purchase this cello here.
Key Specs
| Material: | Maple neck, spruce body, ebony fingerboard |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | Sweetwater’s two-year total confidence coverage |
| Accessories: | Gig bag, headphones, aux cable, strap |
| Dimensions: | 54 in x 12.91 in x 12.36 in (1371.6 mm x 327.91 mm x 313.94 mm) |
| Weight: | 21.9 pounds (9.93 kg) |
8. NS Design CR5 Electric Cello
The CR5 is NS Design’s most expensive cello and is certainly worth the price. It is everything that the CR4 is body and electronic-wise, but it is a five-string cello rather than the typical four-string.
This is a cello for the advanced player that is looking for a lightweight, great-sounding cello. Purchase it here.
Key Specs
| Material: | Maple, ebony fingerboard |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | Sweetwater’s two-year total confidence coverage |
| Accessories: | Deluxe gig bag |
| Dimensions: | 37 in x 5.5 in x 3.75 in (939.8 mm x 139.7 mm x 95.25 mm) |
| Weight: | 5.5 pounds (2.49 kg) |
9. NS Design NXT5a 5-String Electric Cello
If you are in need of a quality 5-string electric cello but aren’t looking for one on the high end of the price range, then the NXT5a is the perfect option for you. It has all the same features as the NXT4a, but it also comes fitted with a fifth string.
Purchase this awesome cello here.
Key Specs
| Material: | Maple |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | Sweetwater’s two-year total confidence coverage |
| Accessories: | Tripod stand, gig bag |
| Dimensions: | 37 in x 5.5 in x 3.7 in (939.8 mm x 139.7 mm x 93.98 mm) |
| Weight: | 4.1 pounds (1.86 kg) |
10. NS Design WAV4 Electric Cello
Closing out the list is another awesome electric cello from NS Design. The WAV4 is one of the lower-priced cellos on this list and is ideal for beginning and intermediate players. Like other NS Design cellos its Polar Pickup System sounds incredibly resonant and natural.
It also comes with a detachable tripod and gig-bag. Purchase it here.
Key Specs
| Material: | Maple |
| Size: | 4/4 (Full size) |
| Warranty: | Sweetwater’s two-year total confidence coverage |
| Accessories: | Tripod stand, gig bag |
| Dimensions: | 37 in x 5.5 in x 3.7 in (939.8 mm x 139.7 mm x 93.98 mm) |
| Weight: | 4.5 pounds (2.04 kg) |
Picking Your Electric Cello
As you have seen, the electric cello market is a rather small one in terms of brands so the main deciding factor will be your playing level in relation to price. If you are an advanced, professional player, then a higher-end model like the NS Design CR4 or CR5 is best for you. If you are a beginner, then something like the Yamaha SVC-50 may be best for you.
All of these electric cellos are great, but this is not a cheap purchase. Evaluate what you need out of your electric cello and use that to gauge how much of a financial investment is best for you!
