Lutherie d’Atelier Aubert, France
Jean François Nicolas
This 4/4 cello was built by French luthier Jean François Nicolas of the Mirecourt area. This is one of the better models in the “Aubert Lutherie” line. The cello is finished in a beautiful red-brown oil-based lacquer.
The back is made of flamed European maple wood. The sides are also made of maple and beautifully flamed. The top is Alpine spruce with a nice pattern of evenly spaced annual rings.
All the sound wood used has had a drying period of more than 10 years. The Aubert workshop in Mirecourt, France, is known for their amazing collection of European tonewoods.
The dimensions of this (4/4) cello:
- upper width 35 cm
- narrowest width 24 cm
- bottom width 45,5 cm
- body height (to the heel) 76 cm
- the scale is 69 cm (keel to bridge)
- the cello fits in an ordinary cello case.
This cello plays very smoothly, further enhanced by the Jargar Evoke that has been applied. Despite the fact that the cello has really just left the workshop you immediately notice that this is an instrument with a lot of potential.
The current setup consists of:
- a Teller ebony tailpiece with integrated fine tuners
- a French cello bridge
- Jargar evoke string set (A, D, G and C).
- The tuning pegs are pallisander, which is unusual because this wood has become exceptionally rare. Apparently Aubert still has a stock of pallisander.
- The fingerboard is a beautiful quality ebony.
- The cello has a Weidler steel pin.
Overall, this cello has a broad, rich tone with power and clarity; a typically “French” sound. The response is even and balanced in all registers, with a variety of tone layers in the larger dynamic ranges. This instrument is certainly suitable for chamber musicians.
The Jargar Evoke strings perfectly balance the overall clarity of this instrument, adding warmth and complexity to the cello’s natural sound.
Jean-François is a contemporary French luthier who works under the direction of master luthier Vincent Morin. He is part of the company Aubert Lutherie, which was founded in 1867 by Emile Aubert as a bridge workshop for string instruments. In the 20th century, Aubert Lutherie began making bowed instruments, and the company now produces beautiful cellos handcrafted by skilled artisans.
Aubert Lutherie instruments have all the beauty and strength you expect from handmade French cellos from the Mirecourt area. And this cello is a fine example.
Jean-François has built this cello all by hand himself, under the direction of Master Luthier Vincent Morin in 2022.
price available upon request