RECONSTRUCTION AND TEST OF A FIVE STRING CELLO

the small screws on the tailpiece that are used for fine-    tuning a string instrument

a technique that involves the use of an open string for an accompaniment which separates itself from the melodic   progression on another string; (See also suite BVW 1007; Prélude; M.33 and following.);it is crucial that the           separate notes are played on the different, open string;     otherwise the melody cannot be properly recognized     

a wooden beam glued roughly parallel to the strings onto the underside of the belly of a string instrument; its  main function is, like the sound post‘s function, to withstand      the pressure from the strings; with   the introduction of    longer necks, steel strings and higher pitches the bass bar gradually became taller and longer

the top or lid of a string instrument

one of the two places of a string instrument where the     strings‘ vibration is stopped down by touching a part of   the instrument (the other one being the nut); it is          positioned between the f-holes and transmits the            vibrations of the strings to the belly and through the        sound post to the bottom; see pictures 7, 11; there are     two basic types of bridges: Belgian and French; Belgian   bridges have long legs, a slight body and produce a         strong and bright sound color; French bridges have         shorter legs, a bigger body and produce a gentler and     warmer sound color

the side walls of a string instrument

the top part of the back of a string instrument; it is a      rather important part of the instrument: since the neck is glued on there a considerable amount of pressure has to be accounted for

                         Button of a cello. Click on picture to enlarge.

the c-shaped and mirror c-shaped narrowing of the body in the middle of a string instrument; the c-bouts are        necessary to allow the bow access to the outer (C and a)   strings; a further reason for the necessity of the c-bouts   is the strong pressure on the belly in that area, the body has to be narrower there in order to deal with that         pressure

                                 A cello’s  c-bout.

a type of resin, mostly of fossil origin

a type of resin with a bright red color,; it is gained from   various tree-like plants and is used mainly for color effects

a type of resin, usually coming from India, Brazil or        Cameroon

the endpin is an extractable rod at the bottom of the       cello; without it the player would have to clamp the         instrument between the knees; endpins are manufactured in various types and  materials but tests have shown that a cello produces  the biggest sound when equipped with   the massive steel type

 The pegbox of a cello.

plucks, usually made of wood, holding the strings on the opposite side of the tailpiece; they are put into the         pegbox and can be turned to change the pitch

an inlaid strip with black edges, placed on the outer brim of the belly and back of a string instrument; purfling        serves not only esthetical purposes but also is supposed to stop potential cracks proceeding along the graining lines of the wood