Just for grins, we picked up this cello that's missing a few parts and pieces. We probably got it 5 years ago at least. Now, I'm not one to be in a hurry, but decided I should start on the repair. There are people on here, and my wife is included, that say I don't do anything - so this will be proof, that Lil Mikey does do something at least once every 5 years. Since my wife is probably going to sell it in her antiques business as a decorative piece, I'm not gonna do a full repair and add all the parts back. Basically put a neck and fretboard on. Neck will be non-descript maple - fretboard will probably be mahogany. I've got those in the whoard somewhere! Don't know yet if it will have a refreshed finish or will be painted - (don't ask - but remember I said this will be a decorative piece). First time working on a cello - banjars, geetars, fiddles, dulcimers, I've worked on, but not something as fancy as a cello!
First thing to do is to remove the heel that remains from the neck. How, it broke - one can only guess. I would assume it wasn't used on someone's head or was run over by a 4x4 as the body is in pretty good shape. After the removal of the heel, there will be a need for me to sharpen the chisels as, there needs to be a dado cut to receive the tenon I'll carve into the new heel. I'm sure that old maple won't be soft!

First thing to do is to remove the heel that remains from the neck. How, it broke - one can only guess. I would assume it wasn't used on someone's head or was run over by a 4x4 as the body is in pretty good shape. After the removal of the heel, there will be a need for me to sharpen the chisels as, there needs to be a dado cut to receive the tenon I'll carve into the new heel. I'm sure that old maple won't be soft!

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