Victorias cello/
Fingal
This is my most successful cello model of which I have made 4 cello and counting! It's 74cm back length and the string length is 690 mm making this little jewel a very comfortable instrument to play. I designed this model when I was a last year student, distilling in it the essence of what I had learned in Newark about shapes and arching. I took inspiration from what I liked most in Classical English, Scottish and Italian makers.
And as always I can't help decorating the backs and occasionally ribs... It's even more fun on celli!
I was commissioned Victoria's Cello (aka Vicky) in 2011 in memory of a young lady name Victoria who loved music.
Vicky is owned by a charity who wish young and upcoming cellists to have access to an instrument that matches their talents.
I think this project is wonderful and I'm supporting as much as I can the wishes of Vicky's owner. I wish more investors could support young professional players and makers in the same way giving us a chance to make a name for ourselves.
She was first played by Duncan Strachan, cellist of the Maxwell Quartet.
Victoria's family asked me if I could leave "a mark", something in Tribute to Victoria. Well they couldn't find a more enthusiastic instrument decorator than me, and here came to be the famous painted vase and flowers for her. Can you spot Victoria's initials in the painting?
