| Blog series by Dave Rutan | updated 03-10-2020 06:35 PM | 7 parts | 4952 reads | 23 comments total |
Part 1: Building the box
I should have the project post up in a week or so. In the meantime here’s the process of the build. Gluing up a few boards to make the back. These are actually poplar drawer fronts. Putting the box together. The sides are poplar drawer sides (I think.) The two narrow ends are oak. Gluing the back onto the box.
Part 2: End blocks and bass bar
Installing the end blocks to support the end pin and the neck. Installing the bass bar. I made the clamps some time ago. It was gratifying to actually use them. Planing away some of the bass bar to lighten it and make it look nice.
Part 4: Saddle
Cutting the saddle from a piece of cherry. The saddle supports the tailpiece ligature. Cutting the top to install the saddle.
Part 5: Neck and scroll
I ordered a cello neck from a seller in China. After two and a half months it still hadn’t arrived, so I broke down and carved one myself. I will say that white oak is a splintery wood to carve.
Part 6: Fingerboard and nut
I did not make this fingerboard, though I have made a cello fingerboard in the past. This one looks to be mahogany. I scraped the black paint off of it and treated it with boiled linseed oil. It looks great. I glued it to the neck for final fitting. Then i glued a cherry nut blank onto the end and roughed out the nut. These both get removed for final finishing if the instrument.
Part 7: Pegs and waiting for finish
I reamed the pegbox for the tuning pegs. And removed the fingerboard and nut and took it home for the finish. Up next is the project post whict is right here (link)
