Finding a cello with a rich, dark tone that also projects in large spaces is next to impossible. So many of my colleagues have been forced to trade off volume for tone, and have brightened the sound of their celli with metal tailpieces. For years, I've told my brother Paul of my hopes for the eventual emergence of a holy grail of cellos: an instrument which would have a dark voice, yet speak with a big sound. He has finally crafted the answer to my desires. The C string on his Strad B-form cello is among the most powerful I have played.John Crowley, freelance cellist, studied with Leslie Parnas and David Wells