Electric Cello strings?

floppylee2 · Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Australia

what strings do you suggest for my electric cello, which is at the moment in the making.. something with a nice rich quality sound.
What other factors should be considered to shape the type of sound?

any tips on anything to do with making my electric cello, resources, suggestions. please leave a comment, it is greatly appreciated

Catheirne

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:33 am Post subject:

floppylee2

Maybe it is better to take a look here where more people are doing experiments with musical instruments http://www.oddmusic.com/

Like http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om12000.html
Surf the site for addresses of string companies...

Wout

GovernorSilver · Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject:

I have Jargar on mine - no particular reason other than the builder's (Todd Keehn) recommendation.

This site says NS Design and Skyinbow use D'Addario Helicore:
http://www.electricviolinshop.com/strings.cfm

I think Mark Wood uses Sensicore or Spirocore but am not absolutely sure.

x_x · Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject:

Get the right rosin and a decent bow.

Wink

GovernorSilver · Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject:

x_x · Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:35 pm Post subject:

GovernorSilver · Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject:

floppylee2 · Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Australia

thanks guys.
some more useful tips could help
but the argument was entertaining

anything on the actual making of it. ie. techniques sounds could be appreciated

should i make it like an electric guitar?
and ive been told that piezoelectric sensors are better than pickups

where would i hunt the piezos down from?

Catherine (yes, female)

x_x · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:04 am Post subject:

okok. Yeah, the piezo electric transducers are good.

This will cost you about $4USD to make. If you have an electronic supplies store near you can look for this:

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

You will have to take the black plastic off, I did it with a bottle opener.

The result will be this:

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Next you have to solder it to one of this thingies (1/4 jack)

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

You then have to connect it to a preamp to get sound out of it.

To solder it you need one of this(in case you've never done it):
Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

You then can put the piezo under the bridge...

If you're gonna buy the transducers online, maybe you should try:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9196

Now that I tried helped you, can I please resume the childish argument? Razz

floppylee2 · Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Australia

dont go on with the childishness yet
i neeeed you.............
well, im so glad you like got the whole thing stepped out for me. i have not done this before.
it sucks really, i feel so worthless cause im so inexperienced.
i joined 3 forums to get help :l i called about everyone around where i live for help but its not working! im stuck with doing it all at home and maybe sometimes going to a workshop... :l
i have 2 months for full on work with it. at the moment, i have nothing.
no body, no pre amp, no nothing

id love someone to just hold my hand through this, but thats not the point of a DIY project is it?

well, that would also mean id have to buy myself a solder? Crying or Very sad

hm.. and a preamp.. eventually

i like the yamaha, atm tho what ever i make i dont mind- kind of on the brink of getting quite desperate.

Wink

EdisonRex · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:48 am Post subject:

Have you got a cello you're going to modify/electrify, or is this part of the deal where you have to build the whole cello from scratch?

My kid has a Yamaha electric cello, would you like me to post some pictures or take some details around the bridge/pickup parts?

floppylee2 · Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Australia

hey thank you for that
yes that would be so good if you could
im not modifying an acoustic but making one from scratch.
i am highly interested in the yamaha. it sounds good and looks good out of the ones ive seen Wink

EdisonRex · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

ok here's a couple.

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The whole instrument

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Bridge close up. Note that pickups are built into the recess under the bridge.

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Fingerboard, bridge, chest rest, top of tailpiece. Note the strings are fairly normal metal cello strings. I'll find out what brand he's using.

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Backside, showing controls, battery case, etc.

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x_x · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:44 am Post subject:

Hey Cath, I suggest you go talk with the local luthiers in your city, they can help you get some of the parts like the fretboard, tail piece, neck, bridge etc...

GovernorSilver · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject:

floppylee2 · Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Australia

thanks for replying guys
anywho does anyone know if the quality of the pegs/price contributes much to the outcome?
same as the head and everything

couldi do with buying the cheapest ones?

floppylee2 · Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Australia

hey EdisonRex
real sorry for the trouble
but do you recon you could 'unscrew' the bits at the back so i can see how its done inside?
if you cant thats cool
but it would be greatly appreciated if youcould find the time
thanks

EdisonRex · Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 5:43 am Post subject:

let me see what I can do. Not today but maybe tomorrow.

floppylee2 · Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Australia

its done

[url]
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/194820d1285583186-electric-cello-making-help-img_1888.jpg[/url]

electric cello painted.jpg

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EdisonRex · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 6:03 am Post subject:

Pretty. is the pickup under the bridge?

DES · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:41 pm Post subject:

That's neat looking! How does it play?

floppylee2 · Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Australia

yeah it plays nicely.
i used QLD maple for a solid body which is quite dense so that the sound can be warmer. i used a peizo under the bridge (slightly in front really) and yeah its good, i love it!

theres more to do for next time though of course Smile

DesireeSky · Joined: Jan 21, 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Philadelphia

What kind of strings did you end up getting? I found this forum while searching for the right strings for my electric cello.

floppylee2 · Joined: Nov 07, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Australia

I used a "Daddario Helicore Cello 4/4 Scale Medium Tension Set"
I mainly chose it because it was an average electric cello string and it also produced warm tones that I was looking for. You should look into the tension that will suit you as well as other brands.

"Helicore cello strings are crafted with a multi-stranded steel core, making for optimum playability and producing a clear, warm tone. The smaller string diameter provides quick bow response. Premium quality materials combine with skilled workmanship to craft strings with excellent pitch stability and longevity. Scaled to fit 4/4 size cello with a playing length of 27 1/2 inches (700mm), medium tension strings are optimized to the needs of a majority of players. "
http://store.daddario.com/category/146892/Helicore_Strings

I also looked at Thomastick Spirocore
There are a few different types of strings from Thomastick on this website to help you get ideas:
http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/strings/index.html

Also just look at other electric cellos on the web and see what they used and why.

Cheers

Sweep · Joined: Jan 26, 2011 Posts: 5 Location: Britain

Interesting topic. I'm glad you succeeded. How does the cello sound?

The photo didn't show, but I managed to access another one that showed most of the instrument but not the top.

What sort of tuning pegs did you decide on in the end? I play cello, and I find the traditional pegs can slip out if there's a major temperature change. Guitar-type tuners would be a lot better.

Are you playing original music on it, or traditional stuff? Although I like classical music I was influenced by Klaus Schulze to take up the cello. I was a bit disappointed with what he'd recorded with a cellist on his Trancefer album and wanted to do something else with cello and synthesizers.

My only cello recording so far is the Sextet on my website (the first of the two links in the signature below). I'd be interested to hear yours, and also hear what you think of the Sextet. I'm not exactly the world's best cellist. (BTW mine was recorded using mics, not pickups.)