CELLOS

I always find making a cello an all-consuming activity, largely because of its size and the space it takes up in the workshop, and in my mind! So it seems more of an achievement by the time it is played. However, the requirements of the sound are basically the same as with the smaller instruments. Ease of playing, evenness across the range and responsiveness are fundamental to any instrument, and I like the tone to be distinctive and characterful.

The model I make most frequently is based on an Andrea Guarneri of 1690, which I worked on and measured when I worked in Germany. The style of work suits me, and most importantly, the sound has character, and it carries. The original instrument is smaller than the normal full size cello, so I have often made a proportionally enlarged version of it, to make it have the normal cello dimensions. It works well at this size, but I have also successfully made it at the original size. [see 7/8 cellos] My other models of full size cello also include Domenico Montagnana and Matteo Gofriller, both Venetian makers noted for the quality of their cellos.

7/8 Cellos

Besides making full sized cellos, I have also made some 7/8 instruments, once widely known as 'lady's' cellos. This is a size of instrument I enjoy making and it has a valuable role in providing good comfortable instruments for those with smaller hands. Not only is the body 1" (25mm) shorter than an average cello, but the open string length is also 1" shorter, which makes the stretches easier. These cellos work just as well as larger instruments. Indeed many old English cellos as well as some Italian ones, including instruments made by the Guarneri family, are this size.