Levin Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Hello everyone, I want to build a cello based on 1740 Montagnana. The model is not so different from a Stradivari cello except for the heights of the archings that in Montagnana are much higher. I wanted to ask: this greater height proved a less powerful but sweeter sound or even increases bass? Levin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Kasprzyk Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 Hello everyone, I want to build a cello based on 1740 Montagnana. The model is not so different from a Stradivari cello except for the heights of the archings that in Montagnana are much higher. I wanted to ask: this greater height proved a less powerful but sweeter sound or even increases bass? Levin I was hoping some cello makers would make some comments. My pure guess is that a lower arch will lower all of the cello's resonance frequencies which will make it sound darker and louder. I don't have a physical definition for "sweetness". I suspect it is the opposite of "harshness". I believe harshness is caused by an over abundance of upper harmonics which I further suspect is caused by excessive thickness. Does anybody have typical arch height/body length ratios for violins, violas, cellos, and basses? The larger instruments seem flatter to me but I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Russell Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 The Montagnana model I used was big, with lots of heartroom, so with archings of 30mm and 28mm it tended to have a big round sound and a big c string. But it's a hard question for me to answer, as I think the form of the arching has a huge effect on the sound independent of the overall height . The model I'm using now is much less wide and has a full long arch that rises fairly quickly from the ends. Similarly, from side to side there's a hollow and then a quick rise to a slight flatness. So I think that the front probably works differently to one with a rounder arching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~ Ben Conover Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 Du Pré's first decent Cello was one of two from her Godmother, an early 1673 Strad with high Amatise arching and quite massive size. The bass end is deep & growling, the top end contrasts but equally strong. Currently made accessible to Nina Kotova. You can hear that instrument in the video below. I'm making a smallish Guad model Cello in willow, with a very full back arching.I don't guess what it will sound like before it's made but I can pretty much guarantee it won't sound piercing and nasallike some flat arched ones can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Kasprzyk Posted March 2, 2016 Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 With the same size and internal volume I wonder what would sound better--low top arch and high ribs or high top arch and lower ribs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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