Thursday, October 3, 2013

Factors That Affect The Sound Of A Handmade Cello

By Angel Dudley


Some people are attracted to the beauty of an instrument based on the way it is made. While this can draw someone to the instrument at first, it is the sound that to consider getting it for themselves. If one understands the conditions that affect the sound of a handmade cello, they will be able to get one that is of the highest quality.

It is pretty well known that older cellos sound better than new ones. This has to do with the condition of the wood over an extended period of time. The wood hardens which causes the sound to be more vibrant. According to some, the chemicals used to treat the wood also affect the sound.

One also has to think about where the trees come from, since this does play a role in the quality of the sound though not entirely. This is because, there are a number of countries that might have the same type of trees, yet each might create an instrument that sounds different. So the preparation of the wood, and even the type of varnish that is used is a factor.

One also has to look at the condition of the cello when it comes to sound. If an instrument is in excellent condition, it can have a great sound. On the other hand, age can cause a cello to have cracks and other weaknesses. This is something to think about since age means lots of repairs over the years, which can affect the sound of the instrument.

Cracks are also common which need to be fixed from time to time. These cracks can change the sound of the instrument, especially when affected by the weather. If it is too hot, cold, or humid, the cracks can change to accommodate these conditions which can make matters worse. Too many repairs can weaken the instrument.

The strings used also affect the sound of this string instrument. The cores of strings can be made from a variety of materials which can be metal or synthetic. They can also be made from sheep or goat gut, although this is less popular as it tends to cost more. Gut strings are also unstable when it comes to pitch and need to be tuned quite often.

An example of this is the gut core strings which are made from sheep or goat guts. These type of strings are used by those who play Baroque music, even though they quite expensive and unstable in pitch. On the other hand, steel core strings are for more stable and less expensive. They are also more widely used by amateurs and professionals.

There are other factors that come into play when evaluating the sound of a handmade cello. When shopping for a good string instrument, it is best to go to a store that specializes in string instruments, since it takes special skill to know these types of instruments. When you find someone who knows what they are talking about, they will most likely provide the best of what you are looking for.




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