How to make a cello

When we’ve featured hand-made instruments before, I’ll admit I was surprised by the response. I had no idea how many folks enjoy not only playing their instruments, but also making them.

In hindsight, I suppose I should have expected it. I’ve done some basic lutherie, and I have enjoyed the challenges that accompanied each task. Looking at it from the opposite perspective, you’d be surprised at the extent of contraptions from which you can coax pleasant sounds.

This All Things Strings article details the author’s intriguing efforts to build a crude cello from scrap found in his basement. Nothing fancy, nothing pretty. Pure function, pure fun.

If you’re a real instrument geek – and I say that with great admiration – you’ll likely take away some ideas from your first read. You’ll also likely bookmark it. And why not? Antonio Stradivari had to start somewhere, and don’t kid yourself: if he’d had the internet, he would have bookmarked it, too.