Recs for which string instrument to try

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I want to try to learn violin, viola or cello.

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Violin and viola (to my knowledge) are largely the same discipline, although there are subtle (and not so subtle) differences.

Viola is alto clef as one example. Cello is bass clef and otherwise more similar to an upright bass or even bass guitar than the smaller instruments (although one typically does bow the cello). If you already know how to play guitar or bass, my gut instinct is the transition to cello would be easier than to the smaller instruments.

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Hmm. Good info.
I play guitar poorly but have never read bass clef music.

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Cello is roughly the same range as the guitar. The low E on a guitar is a major third above the lowest string on a cello (guitar music is written an octave above the sounding pitch to keep it all in the treble clef).

There are several key differences between guitar and cello. Other than the bowing, the main will be tuning and playing position. The cello, like the violin and viola, is tuned in open fifths (cello and viola are C, G, D, A an octave apart; violin is G, D, A, E). The bass, upright and electric, is tuned in fourths: E, A, D, G, as are the lowest 4 strings on a guitar in standard. This is a non-trivial difference.

Violas primarily read alto clef. Cellos usually read bass, although if the music goes into certain ranges, they will switch to tenor a or even treble (neither of which you are likely to encounter as a beginner). Violin is always in treble.

If you know mandolin, its standard tuning is the exact same as the violin (in 5ths). (mandola= viola, mandocello= cello)

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The cello, like the violin and viola, is tuned in open fifths (cello and viola are C, G, D, A an octave apart; violin is G, D, A, E)

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That makes the chord structures pretty easy to learn, but I'm thinking, that aint really the hard part about playing those instruments.

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The cheapest of the cheap will start at a grand.

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Amazon has one, admittedly super cheap, for $176. $187 if you want it in blue

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Amazon has one, admittedly super cheap, for $176. $187 if you want it in blue

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I guess I need to clarify. If price is the object, Wish has a cello for about $115.

I'm know to dabble a little in wooden, stringed instruments. None of my tonewood suppliers price rough-sawn, non-dried raw plank packages for one good quality cello for under $200.

If value is the object, a cello that will be built well out of nice materials, that will play well, sound well, and last, and retain some value on the used market, plan to spend about a grand.

You might find a quality reputable student cello for $500 or so in the internet classifieds if you shop patiently. Keep in mind shipping a bargain cello sourced several states away means a big, delicate and EXPENSIVE parcel if you don't plan to go pick it up.

Worth noting ... part of the reason I named my shop "The Fret Shack" was to steer away band and orchestra repair inquiries. The lion's share of B&O work in most repair shops is parents who got their kids bargain instruments that break constantly or won't hold tuning, and they don't understand the crux of the problems is a junk instrument to begin with. Then they flip when the costs of repair - if it's even feasible - exceeds what they paid for the instrument. Guys like me can heal the sick but we can't raise the dead.

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I suspect sucking at the cello will be more pleasant to those around you (and you) than sucking at the violin.

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that's a good way to put it. When I was trying to play fiddle, it sounded like somebody was trying to strangle a cat, and he was putting up a good fight.