| Author |
Subject |
bridge
Registered
User
(1/30/01 5:14:29 pm)
Reply |
Ever
Make an Instrument
I still have this idea that I might
want to try this. Someone once posted pictures of a couple of cellos
he made. I had asked about them and he said I could e-mail him. Are
you still out there?
Anyway, anybody have any words of
encouragement or discouragement. Is this something where you can
make something half decent, or are you talking years of training in
order to make something that won't be used as firewood?
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MaryK
Registered
User
(1/30/01 7:38:55 pm)
Reply
 |
Re:
Ever Make an Instrument
Try to check out the Cello Chat
archives, there was someone calling himself "Makin' a Cello" who
used to check in for advice from folks. (This was way back before we
changed to EZBoard and our multiple boards, though, so I'm not sure
the archives are available.) Perhaps his e-mail address would be
available there, and you can get in touch w/him. As I recall, he
said his instrument sounded pretty cruddy when it was done, but what
the hey.
Cheers,
MaryK
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Todd
French 
Moderator
(2/1/01 12:33:28 am)
Reply
 |
Re:
Ever Make an Instrument
Making a cello is quite difficult
and incredibly time-consuming, but certainly rewarding. It is
something I plan to do once I retire (if ever) but even then, I feel
that a significant background in violin family restoration and
repair will not be enough to get me through it with any relative
ease. It takes a lot of specialized tools, great measurements, and
an uncanny sense of detail. What a fantastic treat, however, to get
to play one's own cello!
A related story - Sidney Weiss,
former Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and current
Concertmaster of the LA Opera, made his own instrument and bow many
years ago. There was a big story in The Strad about it, but I can't
remember the date. He worked several hours each day on making the
violin, and many more hours each day practicing in a strict routine.
(If you knew Sidney as I do, you would see how well 'strict routine'
fits...) Anyway, apparently his instrument was pretty successful and
he still plays on it to this day, as he does the bow. I've wanted to
take a close look at it, but I've never gotten around to
asking.
This goes to show you that it can be done, however,
and for Sidney, it was quite rewarding.
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Nico67
Registered User
(2/1/01 11:25:00 am)
Reply |
Re:
Ever Make an Instrument
Interesting. 
I also
would like to build cellos when I retire. The problem is I have no
idea how, have no experience in the cello physical aspects, have
never worked on one. All I can do is play (badly).
So the
question is: where do you start from? Would a luthier take an
"observer" for, say, one afternoon/week (that's all the time I can
spare now that I have a real job) to hang around the shop and start
picking up tricks?
---Rosario
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DWThomas
Registered User
(2/1/01 12:17:11 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Ever Make an Instrument
It is an intriguing idea!
One
might be wise to start by making a violin or viola. This would
require less material (and probably less time due to smaller parts
being shaped, cut and carved) yet require most of the same
procedural steps for learning. Assuming you mean to go right for the
best, good tonewoods are expensive. They are also becoming
increasingly rare and it might be best to risk smaller amounts (or
use some lesser grades of wood) while acquiring some
practice.
I believe there are a number of schools and/or
apprentice programs, also some summer workshops. I've not kept track
of them as learning to play is consuming enough time at present. 
Dave
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Br
Martin
Registered
User
(2/2/01 11:58:04 am)
Reply |
Re:
Ever Make an Instrument
I have thought about providing
partly carved tops and backs, bent ribs, or rib garlands(finished),
and partly carved or fully carved necks. Let me know if you'd be
interested. You wouldn't need as many tools, which are very
expensive, and it wouldn't or shouldn't take so long to complete the
job. It wouldn't be cheap, but sure wouldn't cost as much as a new
good instrument. Actual cost would depend on the quality of the wood
used. I'll research it and provide the data if anyone is
interested.
Br. Martin
sheridan@interl.net
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Patricia2
Registered User
(2/2/01 6:26:18 pm)
Reply |
PLEASE
look at this site - interesting project!
fingerboard.maestronet.co...03795.html
Subject
is "Luthiers International Inc"
A luthier in Liverpool had
the bright idea one day to "get together" with other members of the
Fingerboard (a string discussion board at maestronet.com) &
actually build a violin, together, and somehow donate it, or auction
it & give the proceeds to a charity.
There was enough
interest, the project not only got off the ground -- literally --
but it is nearing completion after visiting participants in at least
three countries. MikeH, the initiator, even created a web site
to illustrate their progress: each volunteer adds to the violin,
then sends off the package to the next volunteer for the next
step....
Meanwhile, a separate thread is going about "Charity
of Choice for the Internet Violin" -- you can imagine, there has
been much discussion thereof.
It's such a brilliant idea, it
just blew me away when I happened upon it -- among other things,
just the notion that total strangers meet in writing only on a
discussion board, in this modern medium, the much-maligned internet
(anti-social, you know) and end up with a 3-D object, and all
(mostly) with the utmost good will.....
They're still looking
for input, ideas, suggestions of how to market the violin, show of
support, anything -
But just the story itself is interesting,
especially for anyone interested in constructing an instrument --
because of how they describe it step by step -- which is, finally,
why THIS thread made me think of THAT one.
And some of you
may find it uplifting as well as fun or informative, as I
did!
cheers
|
bridge
Registered
User
(2/5/01 10:51:57 am)
Reply |
Thanks
First thanks to everyone for all of
your response to my post.
I may be interested in purchasing
partially completed cello parts. I must say, I don't want to waste
anyone's time though. I've had many novel ideas. A few of them I
pursue and most of them I drop, so I can make headway on the ones I
do go after.
Money is tight now. I just bought my $2500
carved German student instrument.
Also someone else suggested
a violin or viola first. I've thought of that as well . . . a viola
actually.
I know I'm babbling . . .
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