Comments for Kenneth Wilson Cello

Comment on A Luis and Clark carbon fibre cello by Kevin Wierenga

Kevin Wierenga — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:35:23 +0000

I have L+C carbon fiber cello #47. I bought it new in 2002 and I absolutely love it! It is as easy to play as it is fun to play. It is my cello for inclement weather, for more pop-type upbeat gigs, and for when I just want to enjoy its incredible voice (I also have two other very fine wood traditional instruments, one Montagnana model, and the other a Strad-ish one). My set-up for the L+C, after experimenting all kinds of brands and combos, is all 4 Kaplan mediums, which are very warm and textured, somewhat lighter in tension than many well-known brands, and seem to bring out the best in the L+C. I find the original set-up a little too brash, and other combination trials either too bright or dark, too stiff or too flexible, or too brash or too muted. I am complimented on its tone in varying venues, and people are enthralled with its carbon fiber pattern up close…as am I.

Comment on Publication date! by Beverley Vaux

Beverley Vaux — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 07:18:16 +0000

Please apply to Wigtown Book Festival, which takes place at end of Sept. I will flag you up to them. Scotland’s Book Festival, having so enjoyed your visit to Quarrymans Hall in Creetown & Carlisle Cathedral.

Comment on Publication date! by Catherine Anne Meredith

Catherine Anne Meredith — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 11:41:35 +0000

Fantastic, Kenneth! Congratulations! (Giving full vent to exclamation marks here!) It was great to read your blog posts as the story unfolded, and I can’t wait to see how it’s all distilled into your book!

Comment on Publication date! by Angela

Angela — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:25:16 +0000

Congratulations Kenneth !
I look forward to reading your book, I enjoyed the blog with all your adventures

Comment on Publication date! by Barbara Foster

Barbara Foster — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:02:56 +0000

Congratulations Kenneth…I’ve ordered a copy and look forward to reading it. You manage everything faster than me! How did you get a whole book written so soon? It took me five years to walk to the cathedrals and another 5 years to get my book out.

Comment on A Luis and Clark carbon fibre cello by Guy Martin

Guy Martin — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:12:53 +0000

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.

Comment on St. Paul’s by Rob

Rob — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:05:49 +0000

I’ve lived in Birmingham for nearly 40 years, and I think I have played in a concert in Birmingham Cathedral once, about 35 years ago. (I’ve played in the Roman Catholic Cathedral round the corner many times, not to mention Lichfield, Coventry and Worcester.) I get the impression that, because they are so small, they have an inferiority complex. So I can understand that you found them more difficult to deal with than St Paul’s, who are so big they can afford to be generous occasionally.

Comment on St. Paul’s by Bob Morrow

Bob Morrow — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:17:49 +0000

Well done Mr. Wilson!
Perhaps Birmingham will now not appreciate being the soul outlier.
So how much does it cost to get into St. Paul’s?

Comment on St. Paul’s by Donna Teague

Donna Teague — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 22:09:25 +0000

I thoroughly enjoyed your book and identified with some of your musical dilemmas ( I’m a double bass player. )I also like cycling but I think travelling with my bass on a bike could be problematic!( unless someone invents a folding one!) do you know the Rossini piece for solo cello and double bass? Well worth a look if you don’t!
Keep cycling and playing!

Comment on St. Paul’s by Barbara Foster

Barbara Foster — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 21:26:10 +0000

Like Graham above, I agree about St Paul’s being among the less welcoming of cathedrals. When I was on my 42 pilgrimage it seemed a lot to pay when I could not stop for long, being enroute for Southwell. But when I did go inside another day, I found it glorious in its gold and white finery and the lovely dome.
I hope you get to play in Birmingham sometime… lovely Burne-Jones windows.