Thread: Cello

Originally Posted by Tallai

Cello's have a solid soundboard usually carved from German spruce or Sitika spruce. The harmonic required is just under 100HZ. Having a join in the timber ( for the soundboard ) alters this.

I'm a bit puzzled about your thinking here. You're worried by how the glue joint will affect the sound - very, very, minimally, if at all, in my opinion - yet you're proposing a build with two completely non-traditional woods that will affect the sound more than anything.

Why not make your life easier and just go for a jointed top like 99% of all the other cellos out there? You'd easily find bunya in that size. Or else use WRCedar if you're not averse to using imported timber.

Originally Posted by contrebasse

I'm a bit puzzled about your thinking here. You're worried by how the glue joint will affect the sound - very, very, minimally, if at all, in my opinion - yet you're proposing a build with two completely non-traditional woods that will affect the sound more than anything.

Why not make your life easier and just go for a jointed top like 99% of all the other cellos out there? You'd easily find bunya in that size. Or else use WRCedar if you're not averse to using imported timber.

There are no Cellos with a jointed soundboard!

Um maybe most cellos or the most desired instruments have one piece tops but there seem to be quite a few cellos around with two piece tops.

Ive also noticed quite a few of the tonewood suppliers selling book matched top sets.

Originally Posted by Tallai

There are no Cellos with a jointed soundboard!

Rubbish. Sorry but that's completely untrue.

Show me a single cello with a one-piece top and I'll show you a thousand with a jointed top.

I have NEVER seen a cello with a one-piece top. Never.

Originally Posted by Tisorp

The instrument pictured in the post by Andrew_B is actually a Viola da Gamba. It was a predecessor of the cello. It differs from the cello in many ways including having more strings (in this case seven), slopier shoulders and (as noted) frets. It is played`underhand´. Like the cello it is capable of beautiful sounds.
Cheers, Jeff

OHHH!!!!!!
well there you go

well i like it.... and the 7 strings appeals to me...

Originally Posted by kiwigeo

Looks like the threads are catgut and tied onto the neck like on a lute.

interesting....
i wish i knew where i found the picture...
im sure i had another 1 or 2.... hmmm

Originally Posted by Sebastiaan56

Somewhere on the net there are pictures of a Viola da Gamba being played across the lap like a guitar. Quite a look.

thats interesting....
time to do some googling

WOW
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80mF23zen6s"]YouTube - Abel - WKO 205 per viola da gamba - Nima Ben David[/ame]


martin, check out 2:07 in the video, they show a close up of the side of the neck and indeed... the frets are tied, or wound around the neck....
very interesting....

Tied on catgut frets are the way to get perfect intonation mate...none of this namby pamby fan fret nonsense.

Originally Posted by kiwigeo

Tied on catgut frets are the way to get perfect intonation mate...none of this namby pamby fan fret nonsense.

hahahaha!!

a fan fret cello.... now that would be.... INTERESTING