https://kennethwilsoncello.com/2021/12/15/carbon-fibre-cello/ Highway Cello Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:12:53 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://kennethwilsoncello.com/2021/12/15/carbon-fibre-cello/#comment-804 Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:12:53 +0000 https://kennethwilsoncello.com/?p=25#comment-804 I bough an L&C cello (No 1031) 8 years ago. It has required a lot of setup experiments to tame it; I’ve made up a number of bridges, tried different sound post positions and string types. One thing that has been very beneficial is the use of a Krentz modulator which allows some control over resonance. Carbon fibre is so increadably transmissive and behaves entirely differently from wood so I don’t think it could ever sound like a conventional cello. However, when just picking it up and playing it, it sounds pretty good, that is until I play a wood cello. It is so different. Even frustrating. However, if one doesn’t attempt A/B comparisons, it is a great instrument to play at home. I say that because whenever I’ve felt it has a decent setup, then go and play in an ensemble or big orchestra, it just doesn’t measure up, sounding weak and unbalanced in a section. Not too bad in a string quartet though because there’s only one cello.
All that aside, it is increadibly comfortable to play, much more so than any conventional cello because there are no corners and it doesn’t have a button which normally digs uncomfortably into my chest. The feeling of carbon fibre under my hands is lovely as is the fingerboard, which is carbon fibre too. It looks absolutely gorgeous and is very light but very strong.
The really odd thing about it is the fingerboard is about 10mm shorter than standard but it doesn’t really matter.
My cello came installed with Wittner geared pegs and fine tuners on the tail piece. Why, I don’t know as it should be one OR the other. The Wittner pegs means it takes an age to restring. I can swap out a broken string (using normal pegs) during a rehearsal/performance in about 20 seconds provided I already have a new string in my pocket !
One other odd thing is the sound post position. It sounds best with the soundpost about half way UNDER the foot of the bridge rather than the usual 5 to 10mm. But then, it is NOT a conventional instrument, so the rule book is thrown out.
I would love to know others’ setups but I’ve never come across anyone with an L&C when I play.

]]> https://kennethwilsoncello.com/2021/12/15/carbon-fibre-cello/#comment-181 Mon, 02 Jan 2023 01:14:25 +0000 https://kennethwilsoncello.com/?p=25#comment-181 Wow, Kenneth what a great story and lots of history. Our older son lives in the Boston area so one day I want to go to try these Luis and Clark cellos. And I can’t wait to hear the next story about how you obtained the Luis and Clark.

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