Finding a good cello in Amsterdam is not easy. Finding a good cello anywhere is not easy. And Amsterdam is not really known for its long classical music history. But I found the needle in the haystack!

I needed a cello temporarily to hire last year so I searched high and low for a real cello specialist, and not a chain manufacturer selling straight-from-the-factory-in-China-cellos. Then I found it. Muziekatelier Amsterdam located in North East Amsterdam run by a lovely Dutch cellist named Ascon van der Westen.

The atelier has cellos ranging from student models from €600 to mid-range to beautiful antique 1900′s French, Italian, and German cellos even up to €24,000 (ouch!). Bows, cases, accessories and smaller members of the string family are also available.

The photos below are of the gorgeous beauty I called mine for some time. It has performed with me with Imogen Heap and also has a few cameo appearances on YouTube here and here.