Pictured on the bench is the Stradivari model cello my assistant and I are making. Inside the sides have been reinforced with cloth.

Stradivari reinforced the sides of his cellos with linen cloth. The sides on our cello are made from poplar which Stradivari also used. It’s a softer wood than maple and is sensible to reinforce them as he did. The linen patches are glued in with hide glue and once dry are very strong and light. The fabric I used was fine quality Irish linen.

Now the front is ready to be glued to the sides and then I’ll fit the neck.