History and development of the cello

Basso de viola da braccio

1500

The viola family needed a bass instrument and the bass violin or 'basso de viola da braccio' was created in the 16th century, likely first played resting on the shoulder or arm, like a violin. Known to be used in Orfeo by Monteverdi

Birth of Andrea Amati

1511

Creator of the first cello as we know it

Amati builds famous 'King' cello

1574

Earliest known cello with body of 75.5 cm created for king Charles IX of France

Invention of wire wound gut strings

1660

Traditional gut strings were wound with wire to create a finer bass sound. This tradition started in Bologna

Endpin added

1800

In the mid 19th century the endpin became a standard addition to the cello after it's invention by Belgian cellist Servais (1807-1866). According to rumour he became too fat to support the cello with his legs and needed a support for the instrument.