Cello build

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rocket
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Cello build

Post by rocket » Sun Jul 10, 2022 7:15 pm

So i've been in this caper for about 13 years now and after building a pretty average violin to begin with decided to diverge a bit to arch top guitars and there i've been content and had quite a bit of success and starting to be recognised in some circles but felt i needed to expand a little so i've decided to have a go at a cello. As you can appreciate this is not a folly as the timber needed to build one of these is very expensive , anyways i intend to post the progress of this build on here and share my frustrations and elations,,,, to be continued.......
Cheers Rod
Like I said before the crash, " Hit the bloody thing, it won't hit ya back

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rocket
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Re: Cello build

Post by rocket » Sun Jul 10, 2022 9:57 pm

The cello i'm building is a copy of a 1739 instrument titled, "Sleeping Beauty" by Italian master luthier, Domenico Montagnana who was based in Venice. I've been loaned some plans and have started making some patterns. I will be using Australian Otways Blackwood for the back and sides, supplied by Kidman tonewoods, the belly will be European Spruce, yet to be sourced, but not in a rush for that!.
This project is an indulgence really so it'll be sidelined if a guitar commission pops up so this might take a while!!

Cheers
Rod.
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Dave M
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Re: Cello build

Post by Dave M » Mon Jul 11, 2022 1:59 am

Look forward to it Rod.

I've always thought that the carving of either archtop guitars or the violin family requires so much more craftsmanship than a straight guitar build. I'm not going there. Enough trying to get a 'straight' build right. But will enjoy seeing how you get on.

Cheers Dave
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Dave

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rocket
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Re: Cello build

Post by rocket » Mon Jul 11, 2022 6:44 pm

Thanks Dave,,,
So i've got the inside form nearly ready to go , the next step is fitting the tail, neck and corner blocks....

Cheers
Rod.
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IMG_7408.JPG (115.63 KiB) Viewed 6315 times
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24D861D6-7156-4F32-A506-6ED53E339A54.JPG (119.38 KiB) Viewed 6315 times
Like I said before the crash, " Hit the bloody thing, it won't hit ya back

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rocket
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Re: Cello build

Post by rocket » Sun Aug 07, 2022 11:03 pm

Here's a couple of pics showing the corner blocks being shaped in the C bout.

Cheers
Rod,
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0D2B3BF6-D2B1-4FFA-8CF5-D957A60E0676.jpg
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Dave M
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Re: Cello build

Post by Dave M » Mon Aug 08, 2022 2:17 am

Looks like Spruce. Would that be right? Dave
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joel
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Re: Cello build

Post by joel » Mon Aug 08, 2022 6:05 pm

Following!
- If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs. - David Daye.

- The mouth of a happy man is filled with beer. -

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rocket
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Re: Cello build

Post by rocket » Wed Aug 24, 2022 8:10 pm

Yes the blocks are Spruce Dave.
I've put this on the back burner for a little while the reason being is that i planned on using some nice Otways Blackwood for back and sides, i've resawn the timber into back set and sides but the back is still a little high in moisture content but the sides are just about there.
Meanwhile i've dug another mandolin project out of mothballs while i'm waiting and continuing with that, also we're off to Europe in a few weeks so not in any rush on the cello build atm but will certainly post any progress as soon as there is any! Thanks for looking..
Cheers

Rod
Like I said before the crash, " Hit the bloody thing, it won't hit ya back

www.octiganguitars.com

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Bob_H
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Re: Cello build

Post by Bob_H » Thu Aug 25, 2022 1:48 pm

Very interesting - thanks for taking the time to share
Bob Holbert
Lyndoch

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