This 5 stringed cello was commissioned by me to be made by my favorite luthier, Gary Davis. It's a Ruggeri style body with a high E string for the 5th. At the moment I don't know of any affordable student tier 5 string cellos for sale. Everything I've seen is specially made and will cost more than one would generally want to spend for an experimental setup.
reelcello. Is the neck wider near the peg box or are the strings just spaced closer? I play a five string fiddle and have a four string cello. I’d love a five string cello so I don’t have to go way up the neck looking for notes on the a string, but neck width is important to me. I can probably afford to have one made so I can probably have it made the way I want but I’d still like to know how your’s is designed.
@@peterschug3591 Here's a very affordable 5 String Cello:www.ebay.com/itm/hand-made-electric-cello-4-4-size-great-tone-shape-5-string-electric-cello/133022399445?hash=item1ef8c0bbd5:g:GaQAAOSwCU1YtDVj
@UCfIGZCiCD-Nqk-dKm05p87w Student 5 String Cellos in fractional size should be more affordable someday cause they're fun to play. This instrument reminds me of Bobby Hicks who plays 5 String Fiddle.
@@reelcello When I think of a 5 String Cello Bach's 6th Suite is the 1st thing that comes to mind, but the 2nd thing that comes to mind is the most popular Fiddler who popularized the 5 String Fiddle named Bobby Hicks.
Here’s a weird thought. I’m having a six string fiddle made, C and F bass strings. I have a friend who plays one. I currently play a five string and I love the idea of a five string cello since I can map my fiddle playing onto my Luis and Clark almost without thinking about it but now I’m thinking of a six string cello. Why not? The Viola da Gamba has six strings. It’s played fingering chords and there re tied gut frets for the first seven semitones. On the six string fiddle when young o,down to the F it sounds amazing. My friend will pull phrases down to the low register for effect and it’s amazing, so I ordered one from a maker I like. Still waiting but I’m thinking mid sept. I’m not rich but I can live on rice and beans for a while.
My friend just had a fadola made, an upgrade from her 5 string fiddle. Sounds awesome! I’ve played gambas before, they are great as well. You are right. Why not? It’s a mean balance for the maker to deal with such a huge tonal range. I actually think it might be easier on a small bodied instrument than a cello, but I could be wrong. I’d love to hear it!
@@reelcello Because it's tuned like a 5 String Violin but an Octave Lower, it's also perfect for transcribing Solo Violin and Viola repritore for Cello w/o having to write it on paper cause it'll sound an Octave lower than written.
@@reelcello Bobby Hicks is one of the things that comes to mind when I think of a 5 String Cello because Bobby Hicks plays the 5 String Fiddle & he also popularized 5 String Bowed instruments.
@@luigi7781 Yinfente makes awsome 5 String Acoustic-Electric Cellos for affordable prices ($300 or so) and awsome sound. You can actually replace those friction pegs with yinfente metal cello pegs designed for 5 string (recommended to change strings when doing it so use Helicore Medium Gauge Cello Strings plus a High E) cause geared pegs are easier to use.
As a guy who has a five string fiddle and plays (barely) a Luis & Clark cello. I’d be very interested in a five string cello with an e string. Something in my head maps fingering from fiddle to cello on same note strings and I’d probably be at home quickly on a C to E cello. I play mostly Irish music but had some serious injuries a few years ago that sidelined me for over a year. L & C makes five strings but I’m afraid that they probably use the same neck and I’ve got fat fingers. Fiddles and radio controlled airplanes are keeping me broke!!!!
Mezzo Forte is one, but of course it's a custom order. Four weeks lead time, plus two weeks shipping. For me personally, a month and a half was a reasonable wait time.
I remember it costing about $4,500 give or take, including shipping from Germany to the US. It's essentially a four-string design that's been converted to a five string, so the neck is the same width as that on a four-string only with slightly narrower string spacing, so that could take some getting used to. They also give you the choice between a high E and a low F at no extra cost.
Thanks! Two tunes - Maid behind the bar & the Gravel Walk Wow I haven’t listened to this in awhile, my playing has come a ways since then. I’ll have to post some more Irish tunes soon
Unfortunately I don’t have these written out for cello yet. They are my representation of traditional fiddle tunes. The music is widely available, just not in bass clef! I’m working on transcribing more tunes for cello. Subscribe to my list at www.stringlingo.com and I’ll let you know when I release some free transcriptions!
Excuse my ignorance but is there a huge repertoire for an instrument of this kind? I'm curious because I'd like a mandocello & if the extra 5th makes a difference I'll get one made, rather than buy one off the shelf so to speak
There isn’t much written specifically for a five string cello (Bach’s 6th suite is one example) but there are whole worlds of repertoire written for fiddles, which then are more easily translated to a cello with an E string. You could also string a Mandocello E-A-D-G, which makes an octave mandolin. But keeping it in C is a different and worthwhile challenge/endeavor
Played very nicely! Thanks for sharing this. I have a question about your cello. Is it a high E or Low F string you've got there? I'm looking at possibly purchasing a 5 string to replace my 4 string and try to decide which 5th string would be more important to have. I know it most likely depends on the music played, and I like primarily chamber music/baroque, and playing the occasional Irish folk music. What would you advise?
It does come down to personal preference and musical needs - I like the high E because fiddle tunes sit on the instrument in first position. That only really matters if you want to play the melodies in that octave.... I also had this instrument made because Bach wrote the 6th Suite for piccolo cello, which has the high E as you are hearing here. The benefit of the low F, of course, is that it extends the range of the instrument into the bass register. Either way you are going to have lots of fun :-)
@@RockStarOscarStern634 Acoustic? I've only played 6 string electric cellos. And they are a little unwieldy.... acoustically they'd be troublesome as well. Let me know if you've seen an acoustic 6 string!
@@planethecello I've seen a 6 string song brand Acoustic Cello with guitar Tuning machines and a guitar headstock off of Ebay. Geared tuners make tuning it alot easier.
I am asking for the manufacturer of the string. Perhaps I should be more specific. A high E for cello is an uncommon thing, many manufacturers do not make one. I know for certain jargar and helicore are available, perhaps larsen as well.
This 5 stringed cello was commissioned by me to be made by my favorite luthier, Gary Davis. It's a Ruggeri style body with a high E string for the 5th. At the moment I don't know of any affordable student tier 5 string cellos for sale. Everything I've seen is specially made and will cost more than one would generally want to spend for an experimental setup.
reelcello. Is the neck wider near the peg box or are the strings just spaced closer? I play a five string fiddle and have a four string cello. I’d love a five string cello so I don’t have to go way up the neck looking for notes on the a string, but neck width is important to me. I can probably afford to have one made so I can probably have it made the way I want but I’d still like to know how your’s is designed.
They should be more affordable cause they're cool.
@@peterschug3591 Here's a very affordable 5 String Cello:www.ebay.com/itm/hand-made-electric-cello-4-4-size-great-tone-shape-5-string-electric-cello/133022399445?hash=item1ef8c0bbd5:g:GaQAAOSwCU1YtDVj
@UCfIGZCiCD-Nqk-dKm05p87w
Student 5 String Cellos in fractional size should be more affordable someday cause they're fun to play. This instrument reminds me of Bobby Hicks who plays 5 String Fiddle.
i don't really listen to this kind of music but this is exquisite, amazing cello playing!
Thank you kindly!
@@reelcello When I think of a 5 String Cello Bach's 6th Suite is the 1st thing that comes to mind, but the 2nd thing that comes to mind is the most popular Fiddler who popularized the 5 String Fiddle named Bobby Hicks.
Here’s a weird thought. I’m having a six string fiddle made, C and F bass strings. I have a friend who plays one. I currently play a five string and I love the idea of a five string cello since I can map my fiddle playing onto my Luis and Clark almost without thinking about it but now I’m thinking of a six string cello. Why not? The Viola da Gamba has six strings. It’s played fingering chords and there re tied gut frets for the first seven semitones. On the six string fiddle when young o,down to the F it sounds amazing. My friend will pull phrases down to the low register for effect and it’s amazing, so I ordered one from a maker I like. Still waiting but I’m thinking mid sept. I’m not rich but I can live on rice and beans for a while.
My friend just had a fadola made, an upgrade from her 5 string fiddle. Sounds awesome!
I’ve played gambas before, they are great as well. You are right. Why not?
It’s a mean balance for the maker to deal with such a huge tonal range. I actually think it might be easier on a small bodied instrument than a cello, but I could be wrong. I’d love to hear it!
Bravo! Love your phrasing!
Thanks!
@@reelcello Because it's tuned like a 5 String Violin but an Octave Lower, it's also perfect for transcribing Solo Violin and Viola repritore for Cello w/o having to write it on paper cause it'll sound an Octave lower than written.
@@RockStarOscarStern634 Absolutely! And I have the added advantage of playing violin as well so everything just transfers down to cello fingerings...
@@reelcello The 5 String Cello might be perfect for Paganini's Violin Concertos on Cello.
@@reelcello Bobby Hicks is one of the things that comes to mind when I think of a 5 String Cello because Bobby Hicks plays the 5 String Fiddle & he also popularized 5 String Bowed instruments.
I need a 5 string cello so bad.
Luigi Luckily There are affordable 5 String Cellos from Ebay.
@@RockStarOscarStern634 ebay sounds a bit sketchy but I'll check it out. Thank you kindly.
@@luigi7781 Yinfente makes awsome 5 String Acoustic-Electric Cellos for affordable prices ($300 or so) and awsome sound. You can actually replace those friction pegs with yinfente metal cello pegs designed for 5 string (recommended to change strings when doing it so use Helicore Medium Gauge Cello Strings plus a High E) cause geared pegs are easier to use.
@@luigi7781 I'd like to hear you play Light up the world from glee on the 5 string Cello cause Naya Rivera died recently.
goals...
I can help you reach them!
If you do have a cello with a wide fret your repairer can change it to five strings.
Can you tell us more about your cello? I am looking for a suitable inexpensive instrument for experimentation, thanks!
As a guy who has a five string fiddle and plays (barely) a Luis & Clark cello. I’d be very interested in a five string cello with an e string. Something in my head maps fingering from fiddle to cello on same note strings and I’d probably be at home quickly on a C to E cello. I play mostly Irish music but had some serious injuries a few years ago that sidelined me for over a year. L & C makes five strings but I’m afraid that they probably use the same neck and I’ve got fat fingers. Fiddles and radio controlled airplanes are keeping me broke!!!!
They're slightly thicker necks but you can play Violin pieces down an Octave on the 5 String Cello tuned C to E.
Peter Schug you can play Violin pieces on the 5 String Cello an Octave lower than written.
Not to worry the neck is slightly bigger but big enough to sit in your hand.
Your cello is more powerful than any Irish fiddle.
Your fingers flying 😂
Hey Daniel, love your playing here! Where'd you get such a 5-string cello? Can't find anyone who sells them aside from a couple who do special orders.
Mezzo Forte is one, but of course it's a custom order. Four weeks lead time, plus two weeks shipping. For me personally, a month and a half was a reasonable wait time.
PopBubbleWrappable What do they usually charge to comission a 5 string cello?
I remember it costing about $4,500 give or take, including shipping from Germany to the US. It's essentially a four-string design that's been converted to a five string, so the neck is the same width as that on a four-string only with slightly narrower string spacing, so that could take some getting used to. They also give you the choice between a high E and a low F at no extra cost.
Wonderful! What is the title of the music you're playing, please? I love Irish melodies.
Thanks!
Two tunes - Maid behind the bar & the Gravel Walk
Wow I haven’t listened to this in awhile, my playing has come a ways since then. I’ll have to post some more Irish tunes soon
What piece is this?
Nice job!!! Hahaua
Could you please send me those scores? I would love to play that piece!
Unfortunately I don’t have these written out for cello yet. They are my representation of traditional fiddle tunes. The music is widely available, just not in bass clef! I’m working on transcribing more tunes for cello. Subscribe to my list at www.stringlingo.com and I’ll let you know when I release some free transcriptions!
Excuse my ignorance but is there a huge repertoire for an instrument of this kind? I'm curious because I'd like a mandocello & if the extra 5th makes a difference I'll get one made, rather than buy one off the shelf so to speak
There isn’t much written specifically for a five string cello (Bach’s 6th suite is one example) but there are whole worlds of repertoire written for fiddles, which then are more easily translated to a cello with an E string. You could also string a Mandocello E-A-D-G, which makes an octave mandolin. But keeping it in C is a different and worthwhile challenge/endeavor
Played very nicely! Thanks for sharing this. I have a question about your cello. Is it a high E or Low F string you've got there? I'm looking at possibly purchasing a 5 string to replace my 4 string and try to decide which 5th string would be more important to have. I know it most likely depends on the music played, and I like primarily chamber music/baroque, and playing the occasional Irish folk music. What would you advise?
It does come down to personal preference and musical needs - I like the high E because fiddle tunes sit on the instrument in first position. That only really matters if you want to play the melodies in that octave.... I also had this instrument made because Bach wrote the 6th Suite for piccolo cello, which has the high E as you are hearing here. The benefit of the low F, of course, is that it extends the range of the instrument into the bass register.
Either way you are going to have lots of fun :-)
His specific cello has a high E string, although some have low F.
@@planethecello There's a 6 String Cello that has both a High E and Low F.
@@RockStarOscarStern634 Acoustic? I've only played 6 string electric cellos. And they are a little unwieldy.... acoustically they'd be troublesome as well. Let me know if you've seen an acoustic 6 string!
@@planethecello I've seen a 6 string song brand Acoustic Cello with guitar Tuning machines and a guitar headstock off of Ebay. Geared tuners make tuning it alot easier.
What string do you use for the e?
Jesse Schafer Jesus christ.
I am asking for the manufacturer of the string. Perhaps I should be more specific. A high E for cello is an uncommon thing, many manufacturers do not make one. I know for certain jargar and helicore are available, perhaps larsen as well.
Jesse Schafer a high e sounds like the high e on guitar
BrettS01 i now have a 5 string thanks for the inspiration 👍 what brand is your e? i am using a spirocore an i am not very excited about the tone.
i don't have an e i just know that it would sound like an e, I don't even own a cello i only own a violin sorry