Saskia Schouten Vioolbouwer, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
Saskia Schouten
This cello was built by Dutch violin maker Saskia Schouten in 2024.
This model is inspired by a cello by Francesco Ruggierie from 1687.
The top is made of spruce with lots of “maschio” (“Maschio” spruce, or “abete rosso maschio” in Italian, is a term used to describe a type of spruce wood that is highly valued for its tonewood properties.)
The inlay is made of ebony/maple/ebony. The two-piece back is made of highly flamed maple, as are the sides and the scroll.
The dimensions of this (4/4) cello:
- upper width 34,5 cm
- narrowest width 24,4 cm
- bottom width 45,1 cm
- body height (to the heel) 75,5 cm
- the scale is 69,5 cm (keel to bridge)
- the cello fits in an ordinary cello case.
The current setup consists of:
- Bois d’Harmonie tailpiece with integrated fine tuners
- Belgian special model cello bridge with modified leg-setup
- ebony fingerboard
- ebony tuning pegs
- Ebony Bois d’Harmonie endpin with carbon pin
String setup
The cello is strung up with a set of Larsen Soloist medium. The final setup for this instrument can be chosen by the buyer, in the sound optimisation proces where the buyer will be supported by cellist and cello-string-specialist Mirjam Daalmans from the Gallery.
The violin maker as poet of sound
The original meaning of the Greek word poetu is to do/make. That is the beauty of this profession: making the poetic indefinable of music possible by creating an instrument that has that potential.
After secondary school, Saskia Schouten (born 16-02-61) was apprenticed for a year to violin maker Paul de Froe in Amstelveen. She then left for Cremona in Italy to be trained at the International Violin School (IPIALL). In 1982, she worked for a year with four colleagues in Tuscany,…
She then left for Palermo with colleague Peter Pots to restore instruments at the conservatory. After these experiences, she obtained the Maestra diploma in 1986, from the IPIALL in Cremona.
Until 2009, she was based in Heusden (and Hedikhuizen), then in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. During this time, she specialised in new construction of cellos and violas. In recent years, she also builds violins again.
Her instruments are played at home and abroad, by renowned musicians as well as conservatory students and dedicated amateurs. Several instruments have been purchased by the dutch Musical Instrument Fund (NMF).
price available upon request