Forty years of woodworking experience and the mentoring of world-class cello-maker, Christopher Dungey, informs my cello-making. The result, with Cello Opus 34 is an instrument with a powerful, singing, voice bolstered by an impressively robust and silky bass-end. The bold sound is complemented by thoughtful ergonomic considerations, and a highly informed approach to cello setup, meaning this cello is extremely responsive and a joy to play.

The pattern originated with the outline of the 1707 Stradivari “Boni-Hegar”, one of his celebrated “Forma B” instruments. Christopher’s experience — 40 years a cello maker to some of the finest cellists in the world, and 128 cellos to his name – was pivotal to the overall success of the instrument and to the modifications undertaken. The original was scaled, and the body outline and arching altered to enhance playing ergonomics and to create the tenor voice and generous bass support that the original commissioning cellist sought. This new body shape is adorned with F-hole and scroll shapes derived from my favorites resulting in a very personal cello model: the DF1.

The top features master-grade Englemann spruce from British Columbia. The back, sides, and scroll are the finest aged European maple from the Balkans. The neck and heel are stiffened and strengthened by an L-shaped carbon fiber rod. The inside top soundpost area is reinforced with a double lamination of Kevlar tissue to increase its durability and minimize the possibility of distortion or a soundpost related crack developing. The tailpiece is the finest quality ebony by Boi D’Harmonie with 4 integral fine tuners. The endpin is also of best quality by Bowed Acoustics. I cooked and applied my own classic oil-resin varnish to emulate the acoustic and wear characteristics of the great old instruments. The cello is supplied with a strong and lightweight composite case.