What's the Best Sounding Cello?

By Andy Fein, Violin Maker and Owner, Fein Violins

In our shop, we're often asked "What's the best sounding cello?" Everyone wants the best sound, of course. Every player wants to have great tone, great projection, and fast response. Who wouldn't??? But..... (and there's always a but) I think two words have been left out of that question. The question really should be "What's the best sounding cello FOR ME?" Or, my child, friend, spouse, etc.

The 'King' Amati cello, made circa 1555

(If you read my previous blog post What's the Best Sounding Violin?, much of the following will sound familiar)

The wonderful cellist Myung-Wha Chung plays on what I consider to be one of the best (if not THE BEST!) sounding cellos I've ever heard, the 1731 'Braga' Stradivarius cello. I've also had the opportunity to study this cello in depth.

What's the Best Sounding Violin?

By Andy Fein, Violin Maker and Owner, Fein Violins

In our shop, we're often asked "What's the best sounding violin?" Everyone wants the best sound, of course. Every player wants to have great tone, great projection, and fast response. Who wouldn't??? But..... (and there's always a but) I think two words have been left out of that question. The question really should be "What's the best sounding violin FOR ME?" Or, my child, friend, spouse, etc.

Listen to great violinist Rachel Barton Pine discuss the tonal differences between Stradivaris and Guarneri del Gesus.

Can a Classical Musician Get A Star on Hollywood Blvd? Yes, You Can!

By Andy Fein, luthier and Fein Violins
 and Miranda Crawford, Fein Violins

I recently saw a quick social media post that showed a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame with the name of the great violist William Primrose.

Really? A classical musician with their own star. And a violist, no less! I thought the stars were all reserved for glamorous movie stars. Most of them are, but there are stars for some great string players, conductors, and composers. What would the movies be like without great music to go with them?

Cellos are Big. They Used to be Bigger.

By Andy Fein, Luthier, Fein Violins, Ltd.

If you've ever seen someone struggling down the street or up the stairs with a cello, your first thought might be "Wow! Those are big instruments!" Well, in the very long history of cellos, many of them used to be even bigger.

The 'Lord Aylesford' Stradivarius cello. A BIG cello

The standard body length of a modern cellos is about 750mm (29 1/2"). Before 1700, some monster cellos, even those made by great makers, were 760mm to 800mm (30" to 31.5"). These big cello were also proportionately wider in width. Think about that the next time you need to reach around your cello's upper bouts to play in upper positions!

Pictures of Violins, Violas & Cellos - Where to find Them on The Web

Stradivarius, 1737

By Andy Fein, luthier at Fein Violins
Martha McDermott, and Miranda Crawford

Many of us love looking at all the variations in the shape, color, style, and age of great violins, violas, and cellos. The web is full of great places to see some wonderful instruments. Stradivaris, Amartis, Guarneris, oh my!

The 'Messiah' Stradivarius