Ultralight Cello and Other Heresies

by James Ham

from his 2011 GAL Convention lecture

Originally published in American Lutherie #112, 2012



Before we begin, I’d like for you to listen to some music. (Behind a curtain on stage, Marshall Bruné plays a short selection on one instrument, then the same selection on a second instrument.) I’m curious. Can anyone tell me what kind of instrument they heard?

Audience: A violin.

A violin, yes. Did you notice anything else?

Audience members: The first instrument had better note separation. The second instrument sounded a little louder and a little deeper. I thought the first instrument had more overtones. The second one sounded tighter.

But they both kind of sounded like violins? Well, here’s what you heard. (Marshall steps from behind the curtain, holding Doug Martin’s lightweight violin.)