Starting from the positioning of the blocks, formerly of poplar or willow, (here made of spruce), after having carefully positioned and glued them with a few drops of glue on the form, I proceed with the shaping using a narrow blade. I prepare the ribs, usually from maple, levelling them with a planer and finishing … Continue reading The making of a cello: applying the ribs on the shape
Category Archives: Processing steps
The first step of the construction begins by coping the outline of the model on the board. Along the perimeter there are recesses, where little blocks are put, in order to apply the button, the neck and the ribs later on. To cut out the shape, I used a mechanical band saw and then carefully … Continue reading The making of a cello – part 1
The shape on which I built the cello dates back to 1740, a work by Domenico Montagnana, one of the most famous luthiers of his time, born in Lendinara on 25 June 1686. He was linked to the workshops of some of the most important luthiers of the time, such as Pietro Guarnieri and Matteo … Continue reading Manufacturing a cello from Montagnana’s 1740 model
The precious woods that are used for the construction of the chinrest are boxwood (box shrubs are evergreen Mediterranean plants), very hard and yellowish in color, ebony (from Malaysia, India, Indochina and Africa), black, hard and heavy to the point of not being able to float. There’s also varieties of ebony with dark brown grain, … Continue reading The making of a chinrest
Choosing the right wood.It is very important to check the resonance of the wood and the grain, which should be straight and free of alterations. When selecting maple wood, the quality of flame maple should also be checked. This very first step, along with the study of model and proportions, is the most fascinating and … Continue reading From roundwood to the making of a viola