Thread: Cello

Hi, Well you are in Bunya country, get out your phone book and call a few of the sawmills up your way.
Cheers Bob

Originally Posted by Tallai

Hi All,
I'm looking for a slab of Bunya for a soundboard. The specs are: -
800x460x45. AAA quality, straight grain, no knots, no cracks, no blueing and 100 years old.
Yeah, OK I'm a dreamer too! So obviously I'll have to accept a lower standard. Any ideas?

you better be posting pics of the build process on here man,

im very interested

Are you going to have a go at building a Cello Andy.?
Cheers Bob

Originally Posted by Andrew_B

you better be posting pics of the build process on here man,

im very interested

violins, cellos, doube basses, theres just something about them....

i like the shape, the carve.... wouldnt have a clue how to play one though lol

i saw a cello with frets!!

let me find this picture.....

Originally Posted by woodturner777

Hi, Well you are in Bunya country, get out your phone book and call a few of the sawmills up your way.
Cheers Bob

Thanks Bob,
Unfortunately Bunya is like Huon. An old tree that needs to be felled is like the proverbial.

Regards

Correct me if I am wrong, you require 800 mm long 460 mm wide x 45 mm thickness, I know there is a guy in this forum some where that mills Bunya, I will see if I can find him. As for Huon there is no shortage no more trees are felled but there is a large stockpile. King billy is the one that is really hard to source. Cheers Bob

Originally Posted by Tallai

Thanks Bob,
Unfortunately Bunya is like Huon. An old tree that needs to be felled is like the proverbial.

Regards

If its a cello youre building then wouldnt you normally be starting with two book matched halves for the back and top of the instrument? This would reduce required dimensions of the stock youre after

Hi Martin, hope your Dad is Ok,
I would say that you were correct in your answer below.
So billet only has to be 230mm wide then resawn and book matched maybe allow a little extra to play safe 240mm wide.
Cheers Bob'
'

Originally Posted by kiwigeo

If its a cello youre building then wouldnt you normally be starting with two book matched halves for the back and top of the instrument? This would reduce required dimensions of the stock youre after

Hi Bob,

The old man's as well as can be expected....thanks for asking. Will be making a trip to NZ soon to find out exactly how he is.

Cheers Martin

Originally Posted by woodturner777

Correct me if I am wrong, you require 800 mm long 460 mm wide x 45 mm thickness, I know there is a guy in this forum some where that mills Bunya, I will see if I can find him. As for Huon there is no shortage no more trees are felled but there is a large stockpile. King billy is the one that is really hard to source. Cheers Bob

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the responce. I should have elaborated more with my request. I have done the rounds with timber salvages around the north coast especially around Gympie. I've put feelers out and it's just a matter of when something comes up.


Regards Mark

Originally Posted by kiwigeo

If its a cello youre building then wouldnt you normally be starting with two book matched halves for the back and top of the instrument? This would reduce required dimensions of the stock youre after

Hi Martin,
Thanks for your reply.
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. The backboard is different, as it is generally a two peice structure however there are some Cello's made from a one piece back.
I'm planning on a two piece back and sides of Blackwood.


Regards Mark

Hi Mark, I reckon you will have problems sourcing Bunya 460mm wide fully on the quarter, it takes a big tree to get billets that wide quarter sawn.
I have billets of Tasmanian Myrtle 500mm wide fully on the quarter but bloody rare these days. I wish you luck.
Cheers Bob

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

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