Saturday, 5 October 2013

Factors That Affect The Sound Of A Handmade Cello

By Angel Dudley


There are a number of elements that affect the sound of a handmade cello. One has to consider age, the condition, and the materials used to create the instrument among other things. These factors in addition to the look and beauty of craftsmanship can play a huge role in the decisions that one has to make when deciding what kind of cello to purchase.

It is well known that wine gets better with age and this is also true about cellos. The older this instrument is, the better is sounds and this is no accident. This could be due to a number of conditions, such as how the wood was treated before it was put together to make the it. Also, as time goes on the wood is not as soft, which can cause the sound to vibrate better.

A piece of wood is usually treated before it is used in order to make it last longer. It can also be done to create a certain effect and this is also true of musical instruments. One also has to think about where the wood comes from, since certain trees tend to produce certain qualities of wood that are more dense than others.

Even though the older cellos have a better quality of sound than newer ones, one has to consider its condition as this is a factor as well. Older cellos might have cracks in them which can appear for a number of reasons. Usually these are repaired by the owners, and they might even sound good when an individual first buys it.

Cracks are also common which need to be fixed from time to time. These cracks can change the sound of the instrument, especially when affected by the weather. If it is too hot, cold, or humid, the cracks can change to accommodate these conditions which can make matters worse. Too many repairs can weaken the instrument.

One should also look at the type of strings that are used to play the instrument. There are three main types of strings that are used and each gives a different kind of sound. They are known as the metal core, synthetic core, and the gut core. Each has its positives and negatives and there are some musicians who would only use certain types.

Metal core strings can be made of steel or aluminum and are very stable. They are also less expensive so more people tend to purchase them for a number of reasons. Synthetic strings are made of nylon and are of a lesser quality than the metal strings. There are people who choose any of the three depending on the type of sound they are trying to achieve.

The sound of a handmade cello depends on how well it has been kept overall. Some people go to a general music store in order to get a good string instrument. However, if one is looking for quality it is best to go to a store that specializes in cellos and similar instruments. You are more likely to get the best quality for your money.




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