Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:54 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 1:19 pm 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:21 pm
Posts: 28
Location: Rockies
First name: William
Last Name: Shafer
City: Northglenn
State: Colorado (CO)
Zip/Postal Code: 80233
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Hello forum!

I'm currently working on my second electric bass build and planing my third build. For a third build I essentially want to make a fret-less electric cello guitar. I plan on making the head stock the way a violin bass (or electric bass) would have it, C-shaped neck profile, Katalox unlined fret-board radius to 7.25", 5 -string, single pickup (closer to the neck), Gibson ES style-"ish" body (semi-hollow), adjustable height bridge, tailpiece, and of course f-holes.

From my research so far I've been able to determine that I want the "high" 5 string tuning C2, G2, D3, A3, and E4. Also, it seems most 4/4 cello's have a 27.5" scale length.

Where I need some help is determining what gauge of strings to use. It seems obvious bass strings are too big for this scale length and 6-string guitar string too thin. This would be considered a baritone instrument right? What would you, as the experts, say would be a good place to start?

Thank you all in advance!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 1:51 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
Posts: 5743
First name: Chris
Last Name: Pile
City: Wichita
State: Kansas
Country: Good old US of A
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
Why not add double strings and call it a mandocello?

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 2:44 pm 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:21 pm
Posts: 28
Location: Rockies
First name: William
Last Name: Shafer
City: Northglenn
State: Colorado (CO)
Zip/Postal Code: 80233
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Like most artists/craftsman I actually have a bucket list. I have a 10 string acoustic cittern I'll eventually get too. Also, I want this cello-guitar to able to be played with finger style like a bass.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 9:12 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:46 pm
Posts: 2124
First name: Freeman
Last Name: Keller
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I would contact Fan Tao at D'Addario. He is director of research, a violin and cello player and gave a wonderful seminar at the 2008 GAL conference about selecting strings for somewhat odd ball instruments. As I recall, he invited luthiers to contact them before starting a project like this. If you search for his name you will find contact information


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 11:11 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:15 pm
Posts: 529
First name: Mark
Last Name: Sorrentino
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
If you plan on bowing it, you will want to design in a significant curvature to the top and probably have the bridge pretty high as well. Also I think cello fretboard geometry is pretty complex if you're trying to do it the traditional way, the radiused side is quite a bit shallower than 7.25".

_________________
http://www.tinyhouseandland.com


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com