Conditions That Affect The Sound Of A Handmade Cello

By Angel Dudley


When choosing a handmade cello one is always concerned about the quality of sound. This aspect of the instrument depends on a number of factors that range from its age to how it was made. The sound of an instrument is just as important if not more so than how it looks. Therefore, it is important to know what to expect when making a purchase.

One of the elements that affects the sound of a cello is its age. Older instruments tend to have harder wood which makes the sound vibrate more effectively. The varnish used on the wood is also hardened over time, but this depends on the kind of varnish that is used. If it is a soft varnish, it might not have the same effect as one that is meant to harden over time.

Since wood comes from trees, it is natural to assume that the right tree can give a person the right piece of wood to do the work of creating cellos. However, this is only part of the equation. The way the wood is prepared has much to do with the sound of the instrument as the wood itself. The right treatment can create hardness or softness over time which can affect sound.

Even though the older cellos have a better quality of sound than newer ones, one has to consider its condition as this is a factor as well. Older cellos might have cracks in them which can appear for a number of reasons. Usually these are repaired by the owners, and they might even sound good when an individual first buys it.

These cracks are also affected by the weather and its many changes. The humidity or lack of it, causes these cracks to open and close which can mean constant changes in the sound. Even though repairs are made, one has to think about how often they are done. Too many can cause the quality of sound to decrease since a person will have to constantly try to close the cracks.

Strings are another element that affects the sound. An instrument can sound bright or dull depending on the material the strings are made of. These include guts from the sheep or goat, metal or synthetic material. There are also known as gut core, metal core, and synthetic core strings. The most expensive of the three is the gut core and it is also quite unstable in performance.

While the gut core strings are unstable in pitch, the steel core strings are far more stable. These are usually wrapped in another type of metal such as aluminum or tungsten. The synthetic core is usually made of perlon which is another name for nylon. The synthetic core is usually wrapped in metal like steel or silver.

Handmade cello tend to have a better sound than one that has been produced by a machine. When a person is looking for the best cello for their budget, it is a good idea to go to a person that deals only with stringed instruments. This is the only way to ensure that one is getting the best quality they can afford.




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