Violin Forum/Message Board

[jstainer91]

Hi all

I have been making a violoncello modelled after F. Ruggeri.
The stop length of this model is 405 mm.
There seems to be two or three solutions for deciding the neck length.
But I can not tell which one is be better than the others, because I have ver little experience with cellos.
Your opinions?

1) keep 10: 7 ratios
neck length 28.35

2) ignore the above ratio and abide by the standard length 28

[Jack H.]

there are a few ways to figure this. You can do the standard ratio, or go with the 'leave it at 28 cm' either one is proper. I would figure out what the string length would be with them both. If the ratio length would make the string length longer than 70 I would leave that option out. I would go with what ever make the string length 69.5.
Then again, if it is modeled after Ruggeri... and since you are using the Ruggeri stop, you should use the Ruggeri neck length. But once again, it is up to you to figure out what you want. Is this cello for sale? then you have to think of what will sell. Cellists like standard measurements. They do not like having to adjust their intonation when trying new instruments ( unless they are rare and valuable) so once again, we are back with the question.
If it was up to me, I would go with a standard stop, neck length and string length, just to keep the lucky customer happy.


that is just my $.02 worth


Jack Havivi
Havivi violins
Israel