All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(1457 products available)
Ready to Ship
Ready to Ship
Cellos
Handmade cellos, distinguished by their extraordinary oomph and subtly contoured crafting, are octaves below and more than just a pretty face when compared to factory-made counterparts. Their design underscores sound, and each curve and contour is derived to augment resonance, projection, and timbre. Skilled builders devote much time selecting quality tonewoods like spruce and maple, known for their resonant properties, making handmade cellos a louder, richer sound than the average bear.
Baroque Cello
The Baroque cello is a classic blend, a systematic unit of classical instrumentation from the 17th and 18th centuries. Typically, this cello is made with gut strings and a wider body than a modern cello, which gives it a unique and highly desired sound for Baroque music performance. The handmade baroque cello will be as authentic as possible, which is perfect for people looking for historically accurate cellos.
Electric Cello
An electric cello is a newly rising modern instrument within the 21st century, ideal for using within today's music genres and more contemporary styles. Handcrafted from high-quality materials, these instruments can be both lightweight and compact in design, with efficient sound amplification for home practice and gigging in difficult environments. An electric cello is flexible because it fits active players and those likely to perform in spaces that will not accommodate a full acoustic ensemble.
Fretted Cello
Fretted cellos, as the name suggests, have metal wires on the fingerboard, making them easy to play and somewhat similar to fretted guitars. A fretted cello may be handmade while being manufactured for people who are new to cello playing or transitioning from other string instruments due to its comparative ease of playing. This instrument blends the cello's deep tones with the playability of other stringed instruments, making it an interesting addition to any collection.
Varnished and Unvarnished Cellos
Varnishing on a handmade cello serves both an aesthetic and protective purpose. Varnished cellos have a sophisticated aura with added gloss, whereas unvarnished cellos are raw and gritty, possibly offering better tonal qualities due to the lack of a varnish layer. Handmade cellos can be either varnished or unvarnished, depending on the player's choice in looks and sound preferences.
There are some considerations to make when choosing a handmade cello.
Quality of Craftsmanship
The quality of the craftsmanship done on a handmade cello one of the chief factors that determine the nature of the instrument. Pay attention to the slotting of the wood grains, the body's carving, and whether the cello is glued rather than nailed together. The work of establishing the cellos is done by master luthiers with a well-carved reputation. This is why it is important to go behind cellos that are made by certified and experienced producers of string instruments.
Sound Quality
In this case, the choice of a handmade cello must be more focused on the sound quality. Every cello's size, wood type, and design will combine to produce the sound, so ensure it is well suited to your desired playing style. All acoustic cellos are different, so test several before selecting one, or consult with trustworthy professionals to get valuable information about sound.
Materials Used
The materials used in the cello can greatly affect the sound. The finer-quality spruce top, maple back, and sides add more projection and a clearer sound than inferior wood. Assess the quality of the cello's wood grains and pay attention to the age of the wood as well. Older wood offers a more refined sound because it has been aged and dried for longer.
Playability
When it comes to playability, different factors come into play: the size of the cello, the dimensions of the neck, and the fingerboard. These factors make a cello easy to play or not, so try them physically to ensure comfort. A well-balanced cello ensures the player can produce the best sound without much input.
Resale Value
The resale value of a handmade cello is determined by certain factors like brand fame, quality, and the general demand within the instrument market. Renowned luthier cellos tend to command higher prices when reselling because the reputation of the maker as well as the quality underpinning their products is known. For investors seeking cellos which may later be sold at an appealing rate, picking up instruments from well-known makers is a good move.
Appropriate environmental conditions
One of the finest ways to learn about the maintenance of a handmade cello is to maintain the instruments in ideal environmental conditions. Certain atmosphere levels of temperature and humidity must be maintained in a handmade cello, as a variation in such levels can cause the wood to either swell or crack. It is good to keep the instrument in a case with a hygrometer and humidifier when moving it about. Displaying the instrument in an area with direct exposure to sunlight, heat sources, such as radiators, or air conditioning will help maintain the cello environment.
Regular Cleaning
The varnish of a handmade cello should be well maintained to avoid unnecessary dust and grime. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the body of the instrument each time it is used to eliminate sweat and dust from the strings and the body. Deep cleaning is, however, reserved for professionals since it requires cleaning with special products that can harm the wood.
Changing Strings
Cello strings can be easily replaced due to their strong hold on the wood; thus, changing the strings should be done regularly, depending on usage. A gut or synthetic string c changing frequency will depend on the type of strings used by the player and how often the instrument is played. String changing should be done on a professional basis to avoid damaging the instrument.
Bridge Adjustment
The bridge goes through drastic changes in the instrument as the weather changes the materials it is made up of. A luthier has to adjust the bridge position and bow height from the cello's body to keep the instrument in tonal shape. Proper maintenance of the cello will avoid further damage or costly repairs by ensuring it is regularly checked by an expert.
Cracks and Repairs
Handmade cellos, though more expensive, can be treated like any other instrument and should be repaired promptly when damaged. Avoid making the instrument unusable by ignoring small cracks or dents. In professional handling, restoration work done on time helps maintain sound quality and avoid further damage.
Instrumentalists should not think of making their own handmade cellos without proper knowledge of luthiery. However, small maintenance tasks such as changing strings or adjusting the bridge can be done from home. It is, however, good advice to consult a pro before doing any work on an instrument through references picked up from textbooks on cello making.
Making a handmade cello is a delicate process that requires years of skill and practical knowledge in luthiery. The following are some important aspects of DIY cello making.
Luthier Knowledge
It is imperative that the person trying to make a cello out of their home possesses knowledge and skills about cello making. Working with different wood types and understanding instrument acoustics are necessary skills for creating a quality cello, and this is only gained by going through an apprenticeship or luthier school.
Wood Selection
Choosing the right woods for the cello is another important task that doesn't produce average results. Commonly, spruce is employed for the top due to its great sound capabilities, whereas maple is used for the back, sides, and neck to add visual appeal and sound richness. The wood must be thin enough but strong enough to support the structure of the cello; hence proper thickness selection is important.
Tools and Materials
To create a handmade cello, one needs to acquire specific tools such as chisels, planes, clamps, and carving knives. Cello strings, a tailpiece, nuts, and other hardware are also required. Such instruments may be very costly at the beginning, and many of them are very hard to find for beginners in local hardware stores.
Precise Measurements
One measurement taken wrongly will affect the quality of the cello. Due to the size and proportions of the cello, cello parts such as the top, back, and ribs should be taken with accuracy. Any mistakes on the tapes may lead to the development of an uneven instrument that might even sound awful.
Construction Process
The process of creating a handmade cello involves making the body, neck, and scroll, and installing the fingerboard, bridge, and sound post, as well as setting the cello up with strings. The entire process must be followed step by step to make the cello more functional and perfect.
Varnishing
Improper varnishing will lead to improper sound tuning; thus, varnuring is one of the most tedious and lengthy processes. The maker needs to use the right amount of varnish for the cello and let every layer dry properly to avoid spoiling the cello.
A1: The materials that cellos are made of are costly, and the time invested in making cellos is high. Further, the wood used is refined, and builders pay extra for fine luthier work.
A2: String instruments that are crafted by hands can last for hundreds of years when correctly maintained. Specific care, including changes to the humidity, can help prolong the life of the instrument.
A3: Cellos are normally made from spruce and maple. The spruce top provides a rich sound, while the intricate maple grains ensure exceptional sound quality and visual appeal.
A4: Keep the cello inside a case with a hygrometer, clean the cello with a soft cloth, change strings and other hardware regularly, and seek professional help for deep cleaning and repairs.
A5: A varnished cello has a shiny finish that protects the wood, while an unvarnished cello offers raw wood for a potentially better sound due to less weight on the wood.
