Re cello in old UK string bands. Bowed or plucked or both? The only pictures I recall seeing were bowed or ambiguous, and I know of no written evidence. Who knows? Afraid I dont.Mainly bowed for a guess, because I think thats the sound you'ld want, the fiddles would provide the percussive rhythm you need. It's notable that the plucked double bass is reckonedto have really caught on with New Orleans bands: the significant point being that in that sort of music the lead instruments wanted to get away from the beat, so they needed maximum solidity from the rhythm section. Quite different in the British/irish tradition when the rhythm as well as the melody was carried by the high lead instruments. Of course, things are changing dramatically nowadays, I'mtalking of the heyday of the string bands, a good while ago.