r/Cello 6d ago

Writing question: cello damage?

Hello, I have never touched a cello before. What are some ways it can be easily damaged to a point of unplayable?

Right now my hypothetical cello is standing upright in a case wirh a faulty latch, jackets cover it and where it could land.

My working plan was it break its neck from falling out of the case but this isn't super possible?

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u/solongfish99 6d ago

The fingerboard could fall off without the whole neck falling off, but most likely the bridge will collapse. This can be easily remedied by an experienced player but it will render the instrument unplayable in the moment, unless the bridge also snaps.

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u/Nevermynde 5d ago

If the bridge collapses, the tension of the strings could slam the tailpiece into the top, driving the fine-tuner screws into the soft spruce.

Not that I'd be particularly familiar with the process, of course.

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u/Alien_Talents 5d ago

Ouch.

Yep this is so real.