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Bobbie
Registered User
Posts: 585
(8/15/01 10:07:59 pm)
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Front and Back
construction
What are the advantages/disadvantages of two-piece cello backs?
What about two-piece fronts?
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drcello
Registered User
Posts: 574
(8/16/01 6:48:53 am)
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Not
important
There are plenty of good cellos in which both front or back are
made of two joined pieces. More importantly, don't get a cello made
of stamped out, or pressed out plywood. Both front and back should
be "fully carved" from solid wood boards, joined or
not.
Also, the two piece back is almost mandatory because of
the beautiful effect of the maple flames mirroring each other. I
think the advantage is visual, not auditory.
Marshall C. St. John
drcello@vei.net
Wayside Presbyterian Church
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DWThomas
Registered User
Posts: 389
(8/16/01 7:10:04 am)
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Re: Front and
Back construction
A big difference would be cost. Especially in tops, fairly
close-grained, quarter-sawn spruce is usually an ideal. To get that
in one piece you'd need a tree with a diameter more than twice the
width of a cello -- not too common these days.
I suspect the
acoustic effects are nil. Harpsichord soundboards are typically
glued up from strips of spruce two to four inches wide. Various
makers report differences in sound are more due to design than the
wood species or quantity and direction of pieces used.
I
agree with DrCello that making the back in two pieces allows
book-matching the grain for a nice symmetrical
pattern.
Properly made glue joints are typically stronger
than the wood, so that's pretty much a non-issue.
Dave
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Bobbie
Registered User
Posts: 587
(8/16/01 9:07:35 am)
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Thanks
I had read that two-piece backs might even be stronger but couldn't
find anything on fronts. I guess with the front the question might
be mainly cosmetic- i.e., if it looks good, it's fine?
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Br
Martin
Registered
User
Posts: 35
(8/27/01 4:23:25
pm)
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2 pieces
Two piece tops and backs are stronger if they're not cut way too
thin. I've only seen one 1 piece top cello in 25+ years making and
repairing, and not many one piece backs, and those were slab cut.
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Christopher
Chan
Registered
User
Posts: 169
(8/27/01 9:30:26
pm)
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why stop at 1 or
2 pieces?
If i remember correctly the De Munck Strad which Isserlis uses now
has a 3 piece spruce top. It also wasn't made of the choicest
wood.
I've played a few of one piece backed cellos mostly
new, but some old which had poplar or willow backs. I don't think
i've played a cello with a one piece top. I know Nathan Slobodkin in
ME and Grugaugh and Seifert in CA make instruments with one piece
backs. The backs of the cellos usually have knots and imperfections
in the wood, but it really gives them a lot of character, they also
sounded great if you like a big and full dark timbre.
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Todd
French 
Moderator
Posts: 246
(8/28/01 1:16:46 am)
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Re: why stop at
1 or 2 pieces?
There are quite a few modern American makers using 4-piece tops to
get the best spruce. The added two pieces happen to be in the lower
bout only. I've also seen 4-piece backs on some instruments, with
the added 'wings' on the lower bout once again.
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Christopher
Chan
Registered
User
Posts: 170
(8/28/01 7:33:16
am)
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Re: why stop at
1 or 2 pieces?
That's cool todd i didn't know that. I'll have to keep my eye's
open next time for 4 piecers.
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rubycello
Registered User
Posts: 16
(8/28/01 12:40:06 pm)
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4 piece
backs
I was playing today on a Scottish cello with a 3-piece back. Again
as Todd says the 'extra' 2 pieces were in the lower bouts.
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Todd
French
Moderator
Posts: 247
(8/28/01 1:22:44 pm)
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Re: why stop at
1 or 2 pieces?
Christopher,
Actually, I saw a photo of a Moes and Moes
cello (American husband and wife makers) with a 4-piece top about 2
years ago or something. I have no idea where I saw it, or how I
could find it for you, but if you have a chance to see a Moes
instrument, I understand they often use extra wood for the bottom
bout.
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CelloBass
Registered User
Posts: 74
(8/28/01 5:08:44 pm)
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Re: why stop at
1 or 2 pieces?
Todd,
there are also old and expensive double basses with 6-
or 8-piece tops and backs. Obviously the quality of the wood is more
important than the number of pieces.
Horst
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