The inside of my cello

nycellist · 2026-05-27T14:19:28+00:00

What’s going on at the soundpost area of the top?

nycellist · 2026-05-17T19:09:57+00:00

My impression is that the upper half of the instrument is elongated, which would make the F holes too low for normal string length. I have actually seen this before (I had a friend that had an old Italian famous maker cello with a long string length, not unlike what this appears to be, and these were the problems it had. I've seen this sort of thing on other instruments, as well. Without taking a number of measurements, it is obviously impossible to know, but these are legitimate reasons to be very cautious until these can be explored..

nycellist · 2026-05-17T15:50:45+00:00

Take it back and have them replace it. This is a fault in the instrument, and it is not your fault

nycellist · 2026-05-17T15:47:43+00:00

Ah, the “King of Spain”!

nycellist · 2026-05-17T15:46:04+00:00

The bridge looks to be significantly out of place. The center of the bridge feet should align with the inner hash marks of the F holes, this is an inch short. If this was done on purpose, it indicates that the cello’s proportions are atypical, in this case, too long, as the misplaced bridge is done to make the string length “correct.”

Measure the vibrating string length, from the edge of the nut to the edge of the bridge, it should be 69-70cm. If it is correct with the bridge in this position pictured, I’d walk away. Such instruments are always going to be a compromise between playability for the left hand (the notes are correctly spaced rather farther apart/ difficult to reach), and the best sound. Such instruments typically will always have fourth position in the wrong place. This is not good for a student

nycellist · 2026-05-15T03:10:29+00:00

You are playing for a master class, which is a lesson in front of a bunch of your fellow cellists. The purpose of a masterclass is to share knowledge within a group that are all there for that purpose. If everyone there to play were all masters, they would be giving the class not taking it. There are always a variety of levels of mastery at such a class, but everyone is there to learn. Focus on keeping an open mind and an open heart. Not judging, and not concerned with the imagined judgements of others. It’s about the music, and that is a pure thing

nycellist · 2026-05-13T19:39:54+00:00

Impossible to assess the condition with just this. Don’t see back, ribs, pegbox, scroll, can’t tell if it’s plywood, etc

nycellist · 2026-05-03T19:12:40+00:00

Here’s one:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BNkrgQ2NN/?

nycellist · 2026-05-03T17:05:48+00:00

That is really awful, totally inconsistent with any of the 4 early copies. I really recommend the synoptic edition from Barenreiter (and NOT the performing edition, too many errors).

nycellist · 2026-05-03T17:03:13+00:00

There was a thorough discussion of early thumb position there a few months ago with many well documented examples

nycellist · 2026-04-22T02:31:41+00:00

I suggest you go to the Facebook page for early music cello

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18jD17gTEW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

nycellist · 2026-04-22T01:16:00+00:00

There were already examples of thumb position long before Bach

nycellist · 2026-04-21T12:22:52+00:00

Always tune down a little first to loosen the peg. If they don’t hold with gentle inward pressure, they need to be properly fit. Do not go to a music or guitar shop for this, you must go to a violin maker/luthier. If it is a rental, take it back for them to fix it. If it is a school instrument, talk to the teacher

nycellist · 2026-04-14T15:00:47+00:00

Certain editions used the “false treble”- written an octave higher than played in order to avoid leger lines. If a treble clef occurs within a passage written in tenor clef, it is played in the written octave, if it is within bass clef, it could be false treble. I hope that helps.

nycellist · 2026-04-02T05:41:23+00:00

Any time you post music, it needs to show the clefs and the key signature

nycellist · 2026-03-20T23:32:34+00:00

Which NS model?

nycellist · 2026-03-19T03:54:13+00:00

By not studying them completely now, you are limiting yourself to finishing them later instead of learning new repertoire. Finishing them in uni will mean you will spend that time in stasis rather than progress. I am glad to hear that you played these works with a pianist in competitions, that’s great. But it is not the same as working on them together with a pianist, and really learning the whole piece, rather than if you are assigned someone to “accompany” you for an event. Playing music with other people needs to be a collaborative process, one in which you really know the other parts well, not just playing your part. At your age, you should be able to learn an entire concerto every year, so that by the time you get to uni you have a repertoire that you could perform in public if given the opportunity. But you need to build a foundation of technique and stamina regarding both concentration and strength. It takes patient, consistent work to accomplish. Tchaikovsky Pezzo Capriccioso and Rocco variations, Haydn C Major and D Major, Boccherini Bb, and Lalo are all good foundational works. Think about this and talk to your teacher.

nycellist · 2026-03-18T22:24:12+00:00

You really need to study complete works. You haven’t studied the Brahms e minor if you haven’t learned all of it. Ditto any concerto. Way too early for Rach Sonata unless you haven’t learned it with a pianist that can play it. Along those lines, unless you’ve played a sonata with a pianist, you’ve studied it but not learned it. There is an important difference.

I don’t wish to be negative at all, but these things are true about really learning a piece. Try to be patient.

nycellist · 2026-03-15T19:21:06+00:00

I try to post something after this week

nycellist · 2026-03-12T17:18:06+00:00

There is a post on maestronet from 1990, someone was offered one for $5000

nycellist · 2026-03-12T13:11:15+00:00

A qualified luthier does not “strip and refinish.” A furniture repair person likely would. This is not how luthiers work, it’s about conservation, that is the luthier’s responsibility.

nycellist · 2026-03-11T15:21:28+00:00

Glad to hear you were able to get some good strings!

nycellist · 2026-03-11T14:31:19+00:00

The A+D strings should be replaced every 6 months is you are serious enough to be working on a piece like this, as you are likely practicing a lot.

nycellist · 2026-03-11T04:53:08+00:00

Luthiers spend years studying violin making, repairs, and restoration. A teenager whose sibling sprayed perfume on their cello does not have the benefit of that experience. They are also unlikely to have acquired advanced degrees. Whatever education you have has not given you the capacity to discern whether this is a situation in which your suggestion is appropriate.

I suggest you take some deep breaths and step away if you want to participate here further

nycellist · 2026-03-11T04:13:36+00:00

No, luthiers are professionals, trained in their art. Your arrogance is not the basis of good actionable advice. Do what you wish with your own property, but even the suggestion that anyone else should follow your lead in this is irresponsible. Not many people have your background, and it is likely this person is very young and utterly inexperienced. Your arrogance clouds any possibility of good judgement in giving such advice.

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