Custom Cello Build Journal: Progress Toward Completion in 2027
A time-stamped blog updates us on the latest custom cello build progress for a cellist who wishes to commission a custom cello for effective performance while having a narrow left hand finger spread without sacrificing full-bodied sound.
Jim Clinton
8/18/20262 min read
Time Stamp: 8/18/26
A size-stretching dilemma that needs not exist
Upon speaking with my professional cellist friend whose physical frame is at a lower profile than the average cellist, we discovered that a slightly shorter string length than usual will be an advantage for minimizing fatigue, increasing player speed, and improving left hand accuracy. The smaller cello size usually results in an equally "petite" sound. This is not our intention. Therefore more consideration will be given to our particular design in order that we more than make up for this limitation. More about this in a later discussion.
Let's do some math.
Enter the study of the 1704 Alessandro Gagliano cello as a starting point. It's physical features are only about 15 mm shorter in body length than a Vuillaume for example, but those 15 mm have a significant impact on aiding the left hand finger stretch, especially the pinkie, while minimizing fatigue during hours of rehearsal and high level performance.
Borrowing from the past to solve today's problems
My friend whose fortunate opportunity has been to play a couple elderly celli by Gagliano, describes them as feeling comfortable in his hands. His current cello is similar in size. So we set out to borrow from technology that is 322 years in the past, while we forge forward in combining comfort fit with generous sound.
Preparing the outline, a digression of templates
A mold is of utmost importance since the bent ribs form the foundation for the top and back plates' outlines as they have an overhang of 3-4 mm around the perimeter of the ribs. The mold or form serves as the template for shaping the ribs for this foundation. But first, we must create a template for creating the (mold) template, in the form of an aluminum shaped outline, minus the edge overhang width, minus the thickness of the ribs (decisions that must be made in advance of making the mold). However before we can make the mold, and before we can make the aluminum template, we must make a paper tracing template to transfer to the aluminum. Having access to the form of the outline of an Alessandro Gagliano cello from 1704, we can move forward with creating a paper template, then an aluminum template, then a wooden mold that will determine the final shape / outline of the new cello.
A cello aluminum template and cello wooden mold for forming ribs on the new 2027 Jim Clinton Cello.
Creating a skeleton mold
After creating this series of templates (above), the mold must be designed for uncomplicated disassembly once the rib garland or structure is glued together. Disassembly of the mold cannot damage the rib structure and should hold it intact while installing linings onto the edges of the ribs. Therefore, we have the necessity for the "skeleton" mold.
The mold after drilling 82 holes for aligning rib clamps while gluing them in place.
