Stradivarius cellos and more: back wood and cello measurements
Back wood for the cello
Poplar and willow are the best wood for cello backs, in my opinion. Many people feel that the ex-Nelsova Strad is the best Strad cello; it is willow-backed, and Lynn Harrell’s Strad was poplar. Of all the Strads I have been fortunate to play (ex-Feuermann, ex-Greenhouse, ex-Davidoff, ex-Harrell, ex-Nelsova, ex-Saidenberg), I liked the Saidenberg (that is actually a composite instrument) the best.
The Testores, the Brothers Amati, and many other classic Italians made poplar- and willow-backed instruments. They are the lightest of the classic hardwood tonewoods. Two of my cellos have one piece, slab cut poplar backs, another two have two-piece poplar backs.
Sometimes you may see a top or back of more than 2 pieces, and this is because the wood has exceptional tonal quality and the maker didn’t want to waste any of it. I have seen 4 piece tops on some wonderful old Italian instruments.
Ex-Saidenberg
https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=40282
Ex-Harrell, Ex-DuPre
The ex-Feuermann/ Parisot/ De Munck Stradivari
http://The ex-Feuermann/ Parisot/ De Munck Stradivari
http://stringsmagazine.com/walk-on-the-wild-side/
Ex-DuPre, Ex-Davidoff
https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=40277
Countess of Stainlein, Ex-Greenhouse, Ex-Paganini
http://blog.feinviolins.com/2012/02/by-stefan-aune-famous-countess-of.html
David Soyer and Joel Krosnick both had willow- or poplar-backed instruments by Andreas Guarneri and Joseph filius Andreas Guarneri respectively. One certainly cannot say they are not beautiful! Poplar and willow are the lightest of the classic hardwood tonewoods, and sound like a much older instrument when new (in my experience) as it seems more free to vibrate than maple, especially at lower frequencies. I have never heard poplar described as subdued, but it is more like dark, rich, responsive, and loud.
https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=43783
https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=40380
My Carlos Arcieri (1995) has a two piece poplar back
My Janos Bodor (1976), modeled on a Brothers Amati 1622 (ex Benar Heifetz) has a one piece poplar back, as did the original.
Some cello measurements
