The VC405 Andreas Eastman Series Step-Up cello outfit is a highly desired step-up instrument in appearance and sound. The VC405 features a meticulously hand-carved instrument with a premium spruce top and highly flamed maple back and sides. The superior tonal qualities of these premium tonewoods are enhanced by a hand-applied multi-layered varnish that emulates that of master workshops from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These master workshops located in Markneukirchen, Germany, created a gently shaded spirit varnish that added to the appearance of depth in the tonewoods of each instrument while promoting the free, ringing sound of the cello. This same type of varnish development is used on each VC405 Andreas Eastman Series Step-Up cello to enhance each instrument into something a player highly desires.