How To Setup And Tune A Cello

I JUST RECEIVED MY CELLO WHAT DO I DO NOW?
You've just received your cello and we are sure you are ready to get started. First off many people choose to have a professional setup their cello for them. Price can range from as low as $45 and can cost you more than the cello if you do not shop around. Rates can vary and you should always check as many sources as possible to get the best rate and service you can. Of course if that option is not available to you than you've gee to the right place!! DO NOT remove the styrofoam or whatever is underneath the tailpiece as this should STAY IN PLACE until you have the cello fully tuned up. You can remover it AFTER you are gepleted as sometimes the bridge can fly out while you are tuning and the tailpiece can SCRATCH your new cello so BE CAREFUL !!


INSTALLING THE BRIDGE
Sometimes bridges are pretty even on both sides BUT if one side is TALLER than the TALLER side of the bridge goes with the C or fattest string and the SHORTER side of the bridge always goes with the A or smallest string. Remember the strings only need to be loose enough to flip the bridge into place. Be sure all of the strings are in their slots at the NUT. With your left hand pull the strings out where the bridge will go and with your right hand position the bridge behind the strings and flip it into place. The bridge should be positioned at the CENTER point of the F HOLES, many F HOLES have a small notch at the center point. I wouldnt regemend any more than a .5 inch variance in that position as the bridge should be as close to the internal SOUNDPOST as possible for optimum tone. Where ever you decide to put it you should leave it as moving it months down the line will result in different intonation and the notes wont be where you expect them and you have to get used to the scaling all over again. Once you are done with that its time to tune the cello up so you can start playing it!!


TUNING UP THE CELLO
Cellos are tuned to C G D A. IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN TUNING A CELLO THAT YOU PUSH THE TUNING PEGS IN SNUGGLY each time you are turning them otherwise they will just keep detuning back. You will notice that each time you tune a string up the others will slightly detune and that is because the neck is stretching. You should go back and 'retune' each string after you have tuned the next one and you will need to do this several times. Some things to keep an eye on while you are tuning is to BE SURE the BRIDGE is not slanting and remains in a straight position while you tune the strings. The looser the strings are when you tune up the more likely the bridge will slant while you are tightening the strings. Also make sure again that the ENDPIN and SADDLE are secured correctly. If you are tuning one string at a time remember that once you tune one string up and go to another the pressure will grow on the neck causing the strings to detune so you will need to go back several times and tune each string. Within a few hours the cello, neck, and strings will settle and your cello will stay in tune with only minor adjustments to it.
THE BOW
You will need to slightly tighten the end piece on the bow to get the strings tight. You should ONLY tighten this enough so that the hairs are not able to touch the wood behind them when lightly pressing your finger against the hairs. Always detune a bow when not in use. Over-tightening can strip the bow so be careful. ALSO it is important WHEN YOU FIRST PURCHASE A CELLO to put rosin on the bow for at least 20-30 minutes, the more rosin you put on the better the bow will sound when it strikes the strings. Simply cup the rosin in the palm of your hand and with your other hand glide the bow back and forth across the rosin, get as much of the rosin on the entire bow of hair and remember...LOTS OF ROSIN!!
WHAT IF THE SOUNDPOST BEgeES DISLODGED?
Ive often been asked what is that wood dowel floating around in my cello?. Thats what we call the SOUNDPOST and it is NOT supposed to be rolling around. Without the SOUNDPOST in place your cello is vulnerable to damage and the SOUNDPOST is key to the deep resonating tone of the cello. It is not ungemon for a SOUNDPOST to dislodge during transit of the cello because the strings are not tight. The SOUNDPOST is NOT glued in place and simply is lodged into place underneath the bridge going from the top wood piece to the back wood piece. The SOUNDPOST also has slanted ends to help it lodge into place. Putting a SOUNDPOST back into place can be an easy 10 minute job IF and I say IF you have the right tool. I would suggest checking with your local hardware store for a pair of small extended tongs like you would use at a barbeque to reach into the F Holes and grab the SOUNDPOST and reposition it. Whats important is that the tool is LONG and durable, without that its like trying to pick up marbles with a knife, it will only cause you frustration. Preferably get TWO of these tongs so you can reach into BOTH F HOLES and easily grab the SOUNDPOST and nudge it into place. It IS gemon for cello owners to know and understand the SOUNDPOST and how to reposition it as this may happen once or twice during the lifetime of the instrument. Once youve done it youll feel like a master, just remember patience is a virtue.
HOW TO CARE FOR MY CELLO
CLEANING:
All parts of the cello can be cleaned with any type of wood polish such as pledge EXCEPT for the strings. Any oily gepounds on the strings will get in the groves and the strings will sound very dead. Steel wool is great to clean strings with, some people even boil them in water, be sure to dry them well. Use WD-40 or a thick grease on the tuning keys (the grease is great if you have salty air, it will keep them from rusting).
STORAGE:
Cellos should never be stored for long periods of time without loosening the strings, especially in moist, hot, or cold areas. Never store your cello by a heating/cooling vent, by a fire, in the sun, or any area that will cause quick fluctuations in temperature. Cellos should be stored in climates that are friendly to humans (70 degrees), garages, basements and back yards are not fun for cellos. If you wouldnt sleep there dont put your cello there, he or she wont like it either! Anytime your cello is subjected to a different temperature it is wise to leave it in the gigbag for 45 minutes so the cello can adjust to the temperature. Cold strings will loosen as they get warm, especially if you are playing cold strings with warm hands, the cello will continually detune until it adjusts to the temperature...so dont push it.
REPAIRING LACQUER CRACKS:
It is NOT advisable to attempt to repair lacquer cracks and they are very hard to do and only should be done by professionals, you will usually make your cello look WORSE if you attempt it yourself. Just dont do it, seek professional help.
REPAIRING WOOD CRACKS:
Most wood cracks are fixed using wood glue and clamps, cellos are put together this way so should you develop a serious crack in your cello all is not lost. Ive seen cellos in 5 pieces, neck busted in two, be glued back together, sanded a little bit and sold for over $2000, so if you like to work with woods and have some knowledge of clamping and wood glues, fixing serious cracks can be fun and get your cello back into working order. Just remember that once that glue dries you wont be able to go back so be sure that you have aligned everything back up so when it does dry the cello will still play. Home Depot and hardware stores will have some stains and even little stain markers that you can use to cover cracks once you have glued them. You can get lacquer sprays to even up the polish also on a cello but BE CAREFUL as some lacquer sprays are crappy and if you dont know how to use them you can make things worse. We will usually just sand and buff the crack after the glue dries and leave it like that. ALWAYS read the instructions and if doubt.call someone or check on the internet, there are lots of resources for wood and instrument repairing.
ENHANCING MY CELLO:
There are many ways to enhance your cello. Pickups are a great way to enhance the tone and loudness of your cello. Many systems are available including FISHMAN and UNDERWOOD which are two of the best rated and affordable models. We carry each on our accessories page and you can order online. Having an extra set of strings is always a good thing too. You can also sand the bridge you have for string height adjustment but be sure not to sand to low, this can cause string buzz..not fun.