| Project by Dave Rutan | posted 03-11-2020 09:46 PM | 1177 views | 1 time favorited | 10 comments |  |
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A while ago my wife mentioned that someday she would like to learn the cello. That set me to thinking until I realized that I could probably build something like a cello.
The front and back are from poplar drawer which I planed to a thick ness of about 3/16 inch. The sides and top of the box are white oak.
I had ordered a neck, but after 3 months of waiting, I just went ahead and carved one using a pattern I found on the web. It was a bit of a job to carve oak, but I had examples of what I was trying to do at work to guide me. I did manage to buy the tuning pegs, strings, bridge, fingerboard and end pin.
After putting it all together I stained everything but the fingerboard with Jacobean stain and finished it with spray lacquer. The result is something quite unique, but playable.
More info on the build is available here: (link)
I hope to have a sample of it being played soon.
Mandatory glue up shots:
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
10 comments so far
Dave Polaschek
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7272 posts in 1638 days
#1 posted 03-11-2020 09:58 PM
Nice, Dave! How does it play?
Looking forward to the video!
-- Dave - Santa Fe
Dave Rutan
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2008 posts in 3244 days
#2 posted 03-11-2020 11:55 PM
Well, I can say that it has good volume and is a little heavy for a cello. I’m going to as the cello teacher at the store to give it a go.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
swirt
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#3 posted 03-12-2020 01:35 AM
That is pretty cool. Nice work.
-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com
Dave Polaschek
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7272 posts in 1638 days
#4 posted 03-12-2020 02:59 AM
How thick are the sides? Half-inch? Three quarter? I suspect you could get by with quarter inch (or maybe even an eighth) sides and still have enough strength, but I’m no expert.
-- Dave - Santa Fe
Ivan
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#5 posted 03-12-2020 06:32 AM
Sure one of the coolest chelos… I eonder hoe it sounds.
-- Ivan, Croatia, Wooddicted
Dave Rutan
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#6 posted 03-12-2020 10:20 AM
The sides are about 1/2 inch thick.-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
Oldtool
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#7 posted 03-12-2020 12:01 PM
Very nice work, looks great. I’ll be waiting for the video.
-- "I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The point is to bring them the real facts." - Abraham Lincoln
robscastle
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#8 posted 03-14-2020 05:16 AM
I know of a couple of lads that might be interested in testing it for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4i8J-855y8
I don’t think the lady in the blue skirt was too impressed!!
Dave, nice job overall
-- Regards Rob
Grumpy
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#9 posted 03-17-2020 12:27 AM
Nice job and congratulations on your ‘Daily Top 3’ award.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Dave Rutan
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2008 posts in 3244 days
#10 posted 03-17-2020 11:27 AM
Thank you!
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
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