Exploring lost cello making practices 5: finishing
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- Опубликовано: 17 сен 2018
- Around 2009, research was started on the life, instruments and working methods of the violin maker Benoit Joseph Boussu (1703-1773). As a first step, his previously unknown biography was disclosed in detail, demonstrating that Boussu first practised as a notary in the north of France until 1748, before working as luthier in respectively Liege (1749), Brussels (c1750-c1762) and Amsterdam (c1767-1772). The biographical results were published in the Galpin Society Journal of 2013 and updated in Early Music journal (November 2016). These investigations are part of the PhD project of violin maker/researcher Geerten Verberkmoes, initiator of the Boussu research project.
Next, many surviving original instruments by Boussu were studied, amongst these a violin and a cello in unaltered mid-18th century state from the collection of the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels. The unaltered violin was CT-scanned and analysed in cooperation with dr. Anne-Emmanuelle Ceulemans (MIM Brussels), prof. dr. Danielle Balériaux (Erasmus hospital) and dr. Berend Stoel. The results of this study were published in the Galpin Society Journal of 2016. In a later stage, the unaltered Boussu cello was CT-scanned in the St. Luc hospital in Brussels under the guidance of professors Danse and Coche and their team.
Based on the CT-scan of the violin, two replicas were built in parallel between spring and fall of 2017 by Verberkmoes, using construction methods most likely employed by Boussu. These practices include an assembling process without the use of an inside mould. The replication process was captured entirely on video and is presented here as a series of videos. After finishing the violins, a cello replica was made in a similar way, during the end of 2017 and early 2018. Videos of the cello making process are presented as well on this channel.
In the final stage of the study, the three replicas are played by the newly formed 'Ensemble Boussu' (dr. Ann Cnop, Shiho Ono and Mathilde Wolfs), to perform Brussels court music from the times of Boussu. The musicians perform the trio sonata repertoire using solely bowed stringed instruments, a nowadays abandoned practice, but apparently a more common fashion in the middle of the 18th century. Examples of these performances can also be found on this channel.
The PhD project 'Boussu Inside Out' is supervised by prof. dr. Francis Maes (Gent University), dr. Geert Dhondt (School of Arts Gent) and dr. Anne-Emmanuelle Ceulemans (Musical Instruments Museum Brussels).
Enjoy watching and listening! 
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It,s so lovely to see good craftmanship. 👍
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!!
I’m an out of practice cellist, part time woodworker. I did work as a salesman in a violin shop about 20 years ago as a younger man. I did get to learn how to do some minor things in the shop. Set sound posts, adjust bridges, varnish, fit sound pegs, that sort of thing. I actually varnished and setup the cello I now own. These videos make me wonder about a new direction in life, too long ignored.
Dear Brian, thank you very much for your kind comment and sharing your story. I'm happy to hear that the video's on the channel are an inspiration to you. Give it a try, and start a project for making your own violin or cello. You have already many experiences in this field, so it will work out, I'm sure! Good luck and best wishes, Geerten
Amazing craftsmanship and the sound is superb. I immensely enjoyed this series of videos.
Dear Joe, thank you so much for your kind comment. I'm glad to hear that your enjoyed the videos! Warm regards & stay well, Geerten
Great work, fascinating sound!
Thank you very much, cellopera!
Trabalho lindo, sou musico e aprendiz meu sonho é construir um cello barroco...espero alcançar algum dia!
@Hobedes vieira Thanks for your kind comment, that's really appreciated. Follow your dream to make that Baroque cello, you can do it once you have started! Just make the first step. I hope my channel has given you some inspiration.
@@Boussu_Inside_Out thanks! Your channel inspired me a lot, continue with the videos... greetings from Brazil
@@hobedesvieira1531 Thank you too, good luck! By the way, when you decide to make the cello, I would advice you to make your first instrument in the "common" way, that is, with the neck attached to the body with nail and glue. This is how most makers of Baroque instruments do it nowadays. Greetings from Holland
Hi Geerten, I think your work is admirable. I would like to know if the drawings are available for the Boussu instruments? Many thanks for your RUclips Videos.
Dear Terry, thank you for your kind comment. Currently, no drawings are available. But you might want to check an article on Brussels violins in Galpin Society Journal of 2016, which gives measurements and CT-scan images of the Boussu violin. I hope this is helpful! Best regards, Geerten
Did you study Bossou's varnish recipe or you applied the finish you apply on all the other instruments?
Hello Simone, The varnish on Boussu's instruments was studied by UV fluorescence. From this, it was concluded that he used a varnish based on raw shellac. This is in line with historical French recipes from the eighteenth century. So, I used a varnish based on historical recipes, which contains raw shellac (sticklac), sandarac and elemi (or mastic in case of the cello). All color came from the sticklac. Hope this helps!
@@Boussu_Inside_Out it does! Thanks and good luck with your beautiful work
Thank you Simone!
Serviço muito bom é Arte idescretivel parabéns qual tipo de vernis que esta usando
It's alcohol varnish containing raw shellac, sandarac and mastic
Please what type the wood of back and front !
The wood for the top is spruce, for the back it's maple. So, like most violin family instruments! I bought the wood in Mittenwald, Germany from a tone wood dealer there. Best wishes, Geerten
@@Boussu_Inside_Out iam sorry for asking that but you prefer the wood from german or from balkans ! Which the best based on the quailty of the sound.thanks in advance
For this cello, I used wood bought in Mittenwald (dendrochronology has suggested that the spruce on original Boussu instruments came from Mittenwald as well). Similarly, I used very sober wood, especially the maple, as was also used by Boussu. No deep flames or things like that. I hope this information helps.
AND WHO IS THE LUTHIER? Website? Personally, I do not care for the color. I do, however, admire the Luthier a lot.
Dear Viola Bear, thank you for your comment! The luthier is Geerten Verberkmoes, and this is his (simple) website:
home.kpn.nl/verbe727/_sgg/f10000.htm
By the way, the yellow brown color is the natural color of raw shellac.
Best regards,
Geerten
Пристально ждем когда мастер контрабас сделает.
Thank you! There is a Boussu double bass, but I have not copied it yet (-:
Mohon maaf perkenalkan saya dari Indonesia ...apakah saya boleh meminta ukuran detail cello mulai dari body neck scrol dan ketebalan terimakasih
Hi, there are many detailed measurements in an instruments, so it's not easy to give them all in a single reply. But basic measurements are:
Back length: 753 mm
Back widths (upper/middle/lower): 336/219/429 mm
Scroll width: 60.3 mm
Rib heigth (at neck/at bottom): 114/114 mm
This is all I can supply, hope it helps!
Best regards,
Geerten
Wish they wernt so expensive I hate the shop cello sounds
Serviço muito bom é Arte idescretivel parabéns qual tipo de vernis que esta usando
Thanks again for your comment!
This recipe was used:
Raw sticklac: 210 g/l
Sandarac: 55 g/l
Elemi: 15 g/l
Mastic: 15 g/l
Solvent: 96% ethanol
optional: small amount of dragon's blood to warm the yellow colour of the sticklac.
Filter before use.
Hope this helps!