Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater
Mon, 21 May 2007
Finally, years and years after getting my first cello, it's time to get a better one. My current cello was a gift from my parents, and one for which I hope I've sufficiently expressed my gratitude. However, it's actually decreased in value since they bought it for me, which is not really how these things are supposed to go.
Add to that the fact that I'm actually playing again (not good, just playing), and I find that I'd appreciate having a better cello.
So, I spent some time on Saturday in David Stone's shop in the U District, playing some cellos (celli? cellae?). This one in particular caught my ear and my eye:
It's a pretty cello, in addition to which, it has a very nice, open tone. It was made in Budapest in 2004, so it doesn't have any cool antique value, but that probably also means I can afford it. ;)
David had another cello which has potential. It was made by a Boeing machinist in 1991, in Kirkland. That is, about 5 miles from my house. It needs to have the neck shaved down, and some other modifications, but it seemed like it might be pretty nice once it's ready. I'll be headed back in a few weeks to try it out next to the Hungarian cello.
I'm curious to try these next to my cello. I know I want to sell it, if only to avoid the pain of any future repairs (I found out that it was put together with some very unfriendly and difficult to work with glue, which will dramatically increase future repair costs, or may rule out repairs entirely). I'm just interested to hear the difference in tone right next to each other. Certainly when I went home and picked up my cello, I couldn't really tell a difference, but a good hour or two had passed since playing the Hungarian.
Anyway, it'll be interesting to see what happens. My mom (also a cellist, and considerably more skilled than me) advocates getting a carbon fiber cello. I'll have to hear one in person, although their testimonial list is pretty impressive.
Posted at 14:15 permanent link category: /misc
Categories: all aviation Building a Biplane bicycle gadgets misc motorcycle theater