This weekend was really fun. Chris Dungey was in Seattle for a conference sponsored by the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers. On Sunday they hosted an event called "Players Meet Makers". Chris had intended to show my new cello at this event, but for a variety of reasons my cello isn't done, so he borrowed one of his cellos from a member of the Portland Symphony to show. I tried out all of the cellos there (Chris had the best cello) and a variety of bows on his cello. It was so nice to play on such nice cellos! There was even a photographer from the Seattle Times and he took several pictures of me playing. One of the pictures got published online on Monday!
But, onto why my cello is delayed. Chris now intends to enter my cello into the bi-annual competition of violin/viola/cello makers in Portland in November, so he's decided to take some extra time with mine. Also, he managed to get some very large pieces of maple from a fellow maker while he was at the show- big enough to make a 1-piece cello back! He's decided to use one for my cello. So my cello will have a 1-piece back! We have it at our house (he flew to Seattle, so we're storing the other pieces of wood until he can come pick it up in November). Here's a picture of the piece that will become my cello back...
The major reason why my cello is late is the cello that Chris just finished in March...for Lynn Harrell. He lent me the DVD of Lynn Harrell playing his new Dungey cello for the first time and the sound is astounding. He's already used his new cello for a few recitals. Chris said that he was so nervous when he delivered the cello...and just so thrilled now about how well the cello turned out. He's going to use the same model for my cello...so if only I could play half as well!
4 comments:
Wow, that is incredible--having the wood for your cello-to-be! Of course, it would be better to have your cello, but it sounds like it will be well worth the wait. Thanks for the update.
Hi CelloGeek. would you mind sharing the dimensions of the piece of maple wood? I am interested in the thickness - just out of curiosity. How much of the wood will actually be used? Thanks for sharing this information.
A friend of mine who works for BMW got to track the making of her car over a six month period (most of which was spent on a shipping dock). This custom cello making experience reminds me of her experience.
Have a good day!
Hi Maricello, thank you! I've now seen and handled the wood for the top of my cello along with that large piece for the back.
Cello Muser, making a car must be extemely complicated and your friend's BMW took less time to make than my cello is taking!
The piece of maple that Chris chose for my cello was the biggest of the 6 pieces. It is 40" x 25" (at the widest point) x 5" thick, and weighs 60 lbs. Most of the wood will not be used. I've seen the fingertip scrapers that Chris uses at the very end of the process to get the curvature of the cello back just right. The back is curved top to bottom and side to side, and the thickness of the back varies.
This is so exciting. How interesting to be able to see the block of wood that will eventually be your cello. I'm assuming that a one-piece back is somehow superior to the more common construction; how will this affect the sound of your cello?
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