I commissioned an 11c lute from Martin Shepherd for the precious French repertoire. Martin suggested the work of Laux Maler might be suitable - he was clearly a highly-regarded luthier both in his day and in the century after his death. Martin has written a short essay on Maler which can be read here.
The instrument has a figured ash back, and the neck and pegbox have not been veneered - this will help keep the weight down, but is also recommended by Mary Burwell (c.1670):
'the flatt part of the necke of the lute and the bridge are to be made of ebony, but to cover the head, the back of the neck with it as some doe tis improper because it makes the lute too heavy upon the left hand, the neck cold and slippery for the thumb and the frettes are never fast'.
For Martin and myself, this was somewhat of an experiment, but one which I think has proved wholly successful. The instrument is uniformly weighted, which makes it easier to hold and play. I like it very much.
The lute is strung in gut and pitched at A = 392. The string length is 690.
Here are some photos of the work in progress and the final product:
Workshop
Workshop
End - figured ash
Side
Ready for bridge
The glueing of the bridge
Bars - unfinished
Bars - unfinished
Back varnished
Back again
Front
I am very pleased with this lute. Judging by this lute and others I saw in Martin's music room (especially an amazing theorbo), I rate his lutherie very highly indeed, and thoroughly recommend him if you are looking for a first-rate professional instrument.
So, what does it sound like? Here is a sound file I made on the first day of getting the lute. Obviously I can't play it yet, and certainly intend to do a 'proper' sound file(s) in the future. But this will give you a little inkling of what it is like when hot out of the oven. Doodle Prelude and fade out on La Montfermeil - 12 Dec, 2007.
14 Dec, 2007: Chaconne transposée du Théorbe - Robert de Visée - played with right-hand little finger resting on the bridge, as depicted in many paintings of the period. This seems to work better with all-gut strings.
New sound files: 14 January, 2008
Nylgut strings on all courses. The bass courses are Nylgut wound with copper.
Robert de Visée, three pieces in Dm, Saizenay MS
Recording date: 12 February, 2008
Robert de Visée, Tombeau de du But, Saizenay MS
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