how funny...the cello was how I got into music as well. When I was 9, I started viola and cello within 2 months of each other and didn't play anything else for a few years. The cello is an *amazing* instrument...
Trust me, it could be worse, pricewise...I know Pearl's top concert model 5 octave Artist marimba runs just south of $15,000. Expensive, yes, but there are those of us who have it worse :P The flute in my photo was $17,500...AND IT"S A FREAKING FLUTE. I mean, you can stick the damn thing in your backpack and it's as expensive as a 2002 BMW 3-series.
Musicians are frickin' insane.
Suzanne: I never use catalogs. I'd rather go in the store and see all the salespeople groveling and sucking up to you.
Julia: Pardon me, I never knew they were so solicitous at the K-Mart.