glebert

Hope this isn't an offensive question, but what do people think of Scott Cao as an example of instruments that have a range of qualities from factory grade to made by a single named luthier in a supervised workshop sort of model? Obviously this is still more mass market than more boutique makers. My first real cello was a SC student model and I thought it was better than many others, and was good enough that my teacher asked if I would sell it to one of her other students once I upgraded.

From a mechanics perspective, what is the advantage of playing something like this (or really anything) at the neck rather than vertically like a cello? I personally find violin/viola to be the least ergonomically pleasant instruments to play. Obviously if you already play violin/viola it is easier to transition. I do have to say that this guy in the video looks ridiculous but ergonomically I would probably prefer this more guitar-like position (especially for left wrist) to the typical violin/viola position.

Seems like this would be spelled out in the consignment contract, but this shop does not sound that organized. Perhaps you were lucky they could even find your bow at all! OTHO, four years seems like a long time to have something on consignment.

What are people's opinion of companies likes Stringworks.com as an alternative to Yita? I had some positive experiences with them when they were in Wisconsin, and they seem to put emphasis on setup. They also sell used instruments that came back from rentals.

Probably need to post more/better pictures. See this thread for the views/angles that people will need.

When you say they are less responsive is that listening to the amplified tone or do they actually feel less responsive to the bow? If you play with the electronics off is there the difference still there acoustically? You mentioned bass and treble controls but no mids. Wondering if the piezo really needs a 3 band preamp instead of 2. Is this a Harley Benton or something like that? Also, I assume the Spirocore/Larsen are your changes. Was it more even with stock strings? You should be able to (with electronics on) take a small device, maybe a hefty pen or something, and tap on the bridge right under (or even on top of) the strings and see if it sounds quieter in the middle of the bridge. Could be the bridge wood is just crappy and the outside strings are putting pressure directly down on the bridge legs and piezo so they some through more. Check the bridge feet fit as well.

Maybe I am misunderstanding the effect, but I am wondering if this happens with the low cello strings because as you pull the bow across them they deflect in the direction of bow movement. If you lay into the bow this deflection will be greater. If you are bowing more than one string they will both deflect in the same direction. If you lay into it and then suddenly pick the bow up off the strings they are going to try to return to their undeflected state, but there will be some overshoot and back and forth, and this will not be synchronized, so you get the potential for the strings to contact each other.

My guess it is something that just doesn't happen in regular playing circumstances. Also, when you say "vigorously" how vigorous are we talking? It's a cello, not some sort of carnival game.

Did you buy it from a shop? Maybe you could call them and ask if they have records of it. Not that you should say "it is an X" but something like "was described in 2012 by Y as being X."

Maybe he had a really, really nice looking low profile case to put it in but the lid wouldn't close so he lowered the FB projection.

I am stealing this for lyrics, so if it becomes a huge hit PhilipKT and Martin will get minor writing credits.

This appears to have been built using the "built on back" method where blocks are not necessary. I think the lower blocks were sometimes put in to make it look like a higher end instrument, as you can see those through the f-holes.

There was some discussion in another thread about spruce as a back material. I mentioned that I had a spruce back cello and I had a request for some pictures of it. It is a very strange instrument, seems very amateurish and unfinished, yet as if it was played quite a bit. Appears to be built on back. Currently unplayable because the pegs need bushing, and I don't see myself putting the work into something that will almost certainly not sound very good. I may just give it away as a decorative piece unless someone suggests it has a higher purpose.

I think Geigenmacher means violin maker. Regarding technique to read it I have read that UV light can make faded ink legible.

Man, the ONE time I try to help out with an ID and I screw it up..:)