Violinnut

I did not mean anything by editing, I hope I did not insult anyone.

I am learning a lot from this discussion. Thanks very much for participating

Almost looks like this is a 2 piece top…but at my age, my eyes may be tricking me a bit

2 piece back, but one piece top.

Peter Rarcliff, here is what he wrote. I hope he is OK with me sharing this here. The front of the cello is in one-piece, cut right across the whole diameter of the tree, although the cut is not from the middle plank, and some rings are therefore inevitably distorted as they are partly cut on the slab. I measured the rings on both sides, from the position I was able to see the rings reasonable clearly, up to the purfling on both sides. Upon graphical comparison of the 2 sides, it is clear that the the inner tree growth is exceptionally erratic, as the ring-patterns on the 2 sides, which should actually be very similar, are showing some significant differences and deviations to each other, and although their data correlate ( as they indeed should!) the level of relationship is exceptionally low for ring patterns from the same tree, albeit at opposite sides of the log. The ring-growth is therefore very erratic, and in view of the significant differences in the 2 halves, is sadly very unreliable. I crossdated (tested) the data from the individual ring-series, as well as their mean ( combined data), but no significant relationships were seen neither with published regional references nor with data from other instruments contained in my database. The cut of the wood is extremely unusual, although I have seen that on a very few occasions, probably only on a dozen instruments out of 14,000 tested! so pretty unusual!! It is also not generally advisable to use wood from the centre of the tree, which is mechanically weaker and softer that the later growth in a position of the belly where a lot of stress and pressure is exerted by the strings. I hope that helps answer your question.

That irregular cut is why the dendro I tried to make was inconclusive. Peter said if that he examined over 14.000 instruments and that he only had 12 that had that kind of cut.

Thanks, that is a very nice instrument. And the flames on the back are just gorgeous.

I just can say it will most likely end up in an auction, but the final decision will not be mine to make. I am just helping a friend.

The person that was checking it said it was an original label. He also checked the first expertise from Beare and matched it to the cello.

Verdict is It is authentic

The sound is OK, it is good enough to read trios with. It is not been played much so that also does not help with the sound. Here the measurements UB 20cm LB 25cm Middle 12.5cm Body length 42cm To understand are you saying that the 12.5cm is to narrow for a good sounding instrument. I am asking out of curiosity. There is so much to learn about this. I find it really fascinating . Thanks for the input.

I had no expectation. It is just a second instrument to play in trios. I was just curious.

Rue, it seems it has been augmented as Mark said. Here is a picture showing the back of the pegbox. Also a picutre of the label.

That is something I also wondered about.

If I remember well, it was about 2,500 euros.