Not Sure What this is....

[kwerry]

OK I built it but not sure what to call it..

It is a Gibson L-0 six string body shape but about 10mm deeper with a arm bevel and 4 nylon strings tuned as a Cello CGDA.. Not a Mando Cello, not a tenor guitar. So for the hell of it I'm calling it a cello guitar..

Indian Rosewood B&S, Western Red Cedar top and Mahogany Neck. Bracing is a 5 fan classical pattern.. Got a nice mellow sound I think.. I might actually make more..

Kerry

[Seter]

I bet the Bach Cello Suites would sound nice on it. Would be nice to hear it.

[blaise.douros]

OK I built it but not sure what to call it..

It is a Gibson L-0 six string body shape but about 10mm deeper with a arm bevel and 4 nylon strings tuned as a Cello CGDA.. Not a Mando Cello, not a tenor guitar. So for the hell of it I'm calling it a cello guitar..

Indian Rosewood B&S, Western Red Cedar top and Mahogany Neck. Bracing is a 5 fan classical pattern.. Got a nice mellow sound I think.. I might actually make more..

Kerry

I've been trying to make this exact instrument by restringing other stuff. Baritone uke was too small, so it became an octave mandolin. I was going to try a tenor guitar next.

I'm jealous that you have the skills to build the real thing. What scale length? And how's it play?

[blaise.douros]

Also, if you really DO plan to make more, let me know...

[blaise.douros]

So...any video clips to share? Audio? I'm super curious to hear what the cello guitar sounds like.

[RustyMadd]

Looks like a cellolele.

[Jim Bevan]

Years ago I modified a Martin/Sigma acoustic guitar for Gwynne, my 'cello-playing daughter – tuned it CGDA (with custom-gauge acoustic guitar strings), and added a pickup. She plays it like a bass guitar (with fingers, not a pick).

We called it the "Gwynstrument".

[zoukboy]

OK I built it but not sure what to call it..

It is a Gibson L-0 six string body shape but about 10mm deeper with a arm bevel and 4 nylon strings tuned as a Cello CGDA.. Not a Mando Cello, not a tenor guitar. So for the hell of it I'm calling it a cello guitar..

Indian Rosewood B&S, Western Red Cedar top and Mahogany Neck. Bracing is a 5 fan classical pattern.. Got a nice mellow sound I think.. I might actually make more..

Kerry

What is the scale length, Kerry?

[Lord of the Badgers]

We all want to hear it!! Great concept

[fox]

I would also like to know the scale length and string gauges

[kwerry]

Sorry for the slow response.. Been away..

So it is a 24.75" scale
Nylon Strings, right now has a set for Goldtone cello Banjo on it and it sounds good although I would like to get a wound A string but so far I keep breaking any I try....

Plays Nice IMHO and the one other person who has tried it.

I'm a terrible player (but I enjoy it) here is a crappy clip me playing, if one of my more skilled friends comes over I'll get them to demo it..
Cello Guitar-KLW.MP3

This was an experiment but since it worked I would consider making another.

Thanks for the comments..

Kerry

[blaise.douros]

Sorry for the slow response.. Been away..

So it is a 24.75" scale
Nylon Strings, right now has a set for Goldtone cello Banjo on it and it sounds good although I would like to get a wound A string but so far I keep breaking any I try....

Plays Nice IMHO and the one other person who has tried it.

I'm a terrible player (but I enjoy it) here is a crappy clip me playing, if one of my more skilled friends comes over I'll get them to demo it..
Cello Guitar-KLW.MP3

This was an experiment but since it worked I would consider making another.

Thanks for the comments..

Kerry

This thing sounds sweet. Love how round and mellow it is. I bet the Bach Cello Suites would sound really cool.

I plugged your scale into the String Tension Pro app, and it seems that a .020 gauge silver-wound nylon string would get you around 13.5 lbs of string tension, which is pretty well within the normal range for nylons.

I've been ordering singles from LaBella for my baritone ukes that I've been turning into octave mando/Irish-tuned tenor guitars--they have a ton of gauges available. That may not be as easy from Canada, though.

[Classicalcomp]

I did the same thing with my wishnevsky mandocello. I stripped off the double strings and left just the single strings. I’ve called mine an octave tenor guitar and a contra tenor guitar. I think both are equally as good.

As for sound, I love the way that sounds. It’s so low and smooth. Chords ring for days on them. I hope you enjoy.