My latest cello.

[benji]

I just finished this cello for a client. On to the next order.

[j44ke]

Looks great. So this is a build, not just a refinish?

I've often wondered how makers design their instruments. Is there a pattern or template book or maybe now there is even an instrument CAAD like bike CAAD?

I played cello until I was in college. I had a pre-war Jan Juzek cello made in Prague. It was a nice cello but it had one horrible note - an F on the G string (4th position?) that sounded like a dead duck. I would do everything I could to avoid that note.

[Cookietruck]

looks like a new cello
looks great, the color and the varnish look real nice

why does it look like there are marks where the bridge feet sit?

[benji]

looks like a new cello
looks great, the color and the varnish look real nice

why does it look like there are marks where the bridge feet sit?

I antiqued the finish of this cello. Most players prefer their instruments to look old. The client specified the finish color and the antiquing as well as the model.

[benji]

This is a from scratch new cello. It is a Stradivari model, based on the "Servais". I've reduced the dimensions, the original is a bit too large for most players.

[benji]

Looks great. So this is a build, not just a refinish?

I've often wondered how makers design their instruments. Is there a pattern or template book or maybe now there is even an instrument CAAD like bike CAAD?

I played cello until I was in college. I had a pre-war Jan Juzek cello made in Prague. It was a nice cello but it had one horrible note - an F on the G string (4th position?) that sounded like a dead duck. I would do everything I could to avoid that note.

That awful sounding note (F) is called a wolf note. All good cellos have them on the F. Yours, on the G string, was exactly were it was supposed to be. I use a "wolf elimininator" to adjust that wolf to a note between the F and F#.

[Matthew Strongin]

benji, first off, that's a beautiful instrument and very impressive. Do you mind sharing more info about your construction process or design approach (like that "wolf eliminator" you just referenced)? Nothing that would give away trade secrets or the like, but I think many here would find it interesting. I know I would.

[Mark Kelly]

Wolf tones are caused by a coupled oscillation between the vibration modes of the string and the cello body:



See about one minute in for good example of coupled oscillation.

The eliminators commonly work by attenuating the coupling of the string to the body, so they are placed between the bridge and the tailpiece. This is equivalent to damping the spring in the illustration above whilst leaving the pendula free to swing.

This avoids having to try to damp the vibrations of the string or body themselves, which would be counterproductive in a musical instrument. The other way to do it is to try to shift the body resonance so it is between two musical notes, meaning the equivalent string mode is never excited during play.

BTW Benji, lovely work. I have great admiration for luthiers.

[benji]

Mark nice description of wolf notes. I use a brass weight behind the bridge on the G string to tune the wolf note. They don't go away, they just move to a different unused note.
I make violins, violas and cellos. I play viola. I've made a lot of violas.
When a new client approaches me I like to watch and listen to them play. I listen to what they want tonally. I then pick a model I know will suit them. I like it when clients follow the progress. Some players need more direction on what models will work for them. We all think we're Heifitz. I make many different models. Most modeled on the Masters work but some I've developed on my own. I really love Guadagnini instruments. I make Guad. model violins, violas and cellos. I make Stradivari and Guarneri models as well.
I've been making since 1998. I've been playing viola for 45 or so years. It's a good life. Previously I was a timber frame joiner for a decade. I've got sawdust in my veins. I'm currently timber framing a new violin shop. Fun.
I have a couple videos in editing that will soon go up on my website. benbeers.com. I had a very fine violinist play her violin I made for the videos.