My Kay Cello

[Pcocobass]

Hey Tbers,

Okay, so I know it's not a bass, but I figured this would be the best place to post it anyway. Mods feel free to move it....

I wanted to share my Kay cello with all of you. This was customized for me by my friend Jimmy, an up and coming luthier and strings expert and all around nice guy. He's also a damn good cellist and guitar player (you can check him out at www.alexistrings.com).

Jimmy installed tuning machines in place of standard wooden pegs because I will be playing a lot of pizz ala jazz cellists. He also did the bridge and set up the instrument quite nicely. Also, it matches my Kay bass perfectly!

Anyway, check it out and let me know what y'all think....

Peace,
Pete
PS. Sorry I didn't clean it before the pictures.....
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http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q...obass/Kay3.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q...obass/Kay1.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q...obass/Kay5.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q...obass/Kay2.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q...obass/Kay4.jpg

[simandlhandle]

I dig it...yeah....looks like a bass with those tuning machines on. Are you tuning it in fifths? I can't say I'd like to carry it around as well as a bass though. Check out Marc Johnson/Eric Longworth" if trees could fly" cd, double bass/'cello duo; if you haven't allready that is. Exellent music, and I think the instrumentation works, pushing the 'cello into a "fretless guitar" roll. It takes some serious commitment to the instrument to get the intonation right though. I've heard a couple of bassists dabble with cello tuned in fourths like a kind of picolo bass, and it is not an easy thing to listen to.

[jonas]

Which strings (brands + gauges) do you use?

[Pcocobass]

Originally Posted by simandlhandle

I dig it...yeah....looks like a bass with those tuning machines on. Are you tuning it in fifths?

Yes, I left it standard cello tuning and re-learned the fretboard. It takes a little getting used to. If I don't play it for a few days, it takes a few minutes to reset your head, kind of like going from a five to a four string bass if you know what I mean.

Originally Posted by simandlhandle

It takes some serious commitment to the instrument to get the intonation right though. I've heard a couple of bassists dabble with cello tuned in fourths like a kind of picolo bass, and it is not an easy thing to listen to.

Yes, as I've found . But, I've been practicing a lot with the bow, and it seems to be working pretty well.....

[Pcocobass]

Originally Posted by jonas

Which strings (brands + gauges) do you use?

Spiro C+G, Larson A+D, all mediums.

[Rob Sleeper]

Do you still have to tune with the fine tuners?

[mcnaire2004]

Well..... I like the tuning machines.

[Pcocobass]

Originally Posted by Rob Sleeper

Do you still have to tune with the fine tuners?

No, actually I can tune it perfectly without them. Tuning is a breeze, just like a bass. I just had to get used to hearing the fifths instead of the fourths!