Lutes - Lutes

Lutes

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Lute History - Scroll For More Information

The lute can refer generally, to any plucked-string musical instrument with a neck (either fretted or unfretted) and a deep round back, or the more specific style of "European lute". The lute is used in a great variety of instrumental music from the Medieval to the late Baroque eras and was one of the most important instruments for secular music in the Renaissance. It evolved from the ancient Middle Eastern instrument, the oud.

It was popular and widely used in Europe from about the 12th century AD until well into the 18th century. After a period of disuse lasting more than a hundred years, interest in it revived during the 20th century.

Lutes are made almost entirely of wood. The soundboard is a teardrop-shaped thin flat plate of resonant wood (usually spruce). European lutes have a large, circular sound hole cut into the belly and ornamented with a perforated rose carved from the belly’s wood.The back/shell consists of thin strips of hardwood joined edge to edge to form the deep rounded body.

Lute-Guitar, Rosewood, Gears, Dbl, Flame The double bowl guitar is an attractive and lightweight instrument of a similar size and scale to a standard classical guitar but with a body like a lute, with a twist. The double bowl-shaped body is achieved by edge-gluing together staves of uniformly thin hardwoods bent to a specific shape with no heavy internal bracing to retain its form. The bowl is made of sheesham rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo) that affords a warm, mellow tone.

European spruce is used for the soundboard and, in keeping with the design of 16th-Century lutes, its soundhole is a carved rosette in an attractive geometric pattern which is cut into the soundboard itself and is not inlaid of different material. Most exciting is that the soundboard bracing pattern follows bracing used in world-famous Kohno classical guitars.

The mahogany neck has a shape is similar to a classical guitar with a 51mm (2 inch) wide nut of ebony. The head stock is in the shape of a flame. Using standard nylon classical guitar strings, it is tuned like a guitar in e, b, G, D, A, E tuning. If it is to be used for lute music, the 3rd string may be tuned a semi-tone down to F# to enable lute fingering. The guitar is outfitted with smooth-operating gold tuners with black ebonized tuning key buttons.

The overall length is 40-½" and the scale length is 25 3/8", similar to a normal guitar. The instrument has a satin lacquer finish.

GDNRGF $594.15

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Lute-Guitar, 6 String, Rosewood, Gears The lute-guitar is an attractive and lightweight instrument of a similar size and scale to a standard classical guitar but with a body like a lute. In keeping with the character of a lute, the bowl-shaped body is achieved by edge-gluing together staves of uniformly thin hardwoods bent to a specific shape with no heavy internal bracing to retain its form. The bowl is made of sheesham rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo) that affords a warm, mellow tone.

The mahogany neck has a shape is similar to a classical guitar with a 51mm (2 inch) wide nut of ebony. The top of the peg box has a woman's head carved on the top. Using standard nylon classical guitar strings, it is tuned like a guitar in e, b, G, D, A, E tuning. If it is to be used for lute music, the 3rd string may be tuned a semi-tone down to F# to enable lute fingering. The guitar is outfitted with smooth-operating gold tuners with black ebonized tuning key buttons.

The overall length is 40" and the scale length is 25 3/8", similar to a normal guitar. The instrument has a satin lacquer finish.

GLNRG $594.15

Lute-Guitar, Steel, Lacewood, Gears The steel string lute-guitar is an attractive and lightweight instrument of a similar size and scale to a standard classical guitar but with a body like a lute. In keeping with the character of a lute, the bowl-shaped body is achieved by edge-gluing together staves of uniformly thin Lacewood bent to a specific shape with no heavy internal bracing to retain its form. Lacewood is a light-colored hardwood that has color similar to maple and has distinctive rays that provide what is known as a "beeswing" pattern. A member of the sycamore family, its timbre characteristics are similar to maple generally providing a brighter tone than rosewood.

European spruce is used for the soundboard and, in keeping with the design of 16th-Century lutes, its soundhole is a carved rosette in an attractive geometric pattern which is cut into the soundboard itself and is not inlaid of different material. Most exciting is that the soundboard bracing pattern follows bracing used in world-famous Kohno classical guitars.

The mahogany neck has a shape is similar to a classical guitar with a 45mm wide nut of ebony. The top of the peg box has a woman's head carved on the top. Using standard steel classical guitar strings, it is tuned like a guitar in e, b, G, D, A, E tuning. If it is to be used for lute music, the 3rd string may be tuned a semi-tone down to F# to enable lute fingering. The guitar is outfitted with smooth-operating gold tuners with black ebonized tuning key buttons. The overall length is 1030mm and the scale length is 647mm, similar to a normal guitar. Satin lacquer finish. GLSCG $455.03

Lute-Guitar, Steel, Rosewood, Gears The steel string lute-guitar is an attractive and lightweight instrument of a similar size and scale to a standard classical guitar but with a body like a lute. In keeping with the character of a lute, the bowl-shaped body is achieved by edge-gluing together staves of uniformly thin sheesham rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo) bent to a specific shape with no heavy internal bracing to retain its form. Sheesham rosewood is a medium to dark-brown hardwood and is highly sought after in furniture and musical instrument making. A true member of the Dalbergia family, sheesham's timbre characteristics are best described and "warm" with pronounced mid-range, very clear bass and sublimely subdued trebles.

European spruce is used for the soundboard and, in keeping with the design of 16th-Century lutes, its soundhole is a carved rosette in an attractive geometric pattern which is cut into the soundboard itself and is not inlaid of different material. Most exciting is that the soundboard bracing pattern follows bracing used in world-famous Kohno classical guitars.

The mahogany neck has a shape is similar to a classical guitar with a 45mm wide nut of ebony. The top of the peg box has a woman's head carved on the top. Using standard steel classical guitar strings, it is tuned like a guitar in e, b, G, D, A, E tuning. If it is to be used for lute music, the 3rd string may be tuned a semi-tone down to F# to enable lute fingering. The guitar is outfitted with smooth-operating gold tuners with black ebonized tuning key buttons. The overall length is 1030mm and the scale length is 647mm, similar to a normal guitar. Satin lacquer finish. GLSRG $679.15

Lute-Guitar, Steel, Variegated, Gears The steel string lute-guitar is an attractive and lightweight instrument of a similar size and scale to a standard classical guitar but with a body like a lute. In keeping with the character of a lute, the bowl-shaped body is achieved by edge-gluing together staves of uniformly thin hardwoods bent to a specific shape with no heavy internal bracing to retain its form. The bowl is made of two alternating woods: Lacewood (Platanus orientalus) is a light-colored hardwood that has color similar to maple and has distinctive rays that provide what is known as a "beeswing" pattern. A member of the sycamore family, its timbre characteristics are similar to maple generally providing a brighter tone than rosewood. The dark-colored wood is sheesham rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo) that affords a warmer mellower tone. The combination of the two offers a blended timbre as well as a desirable look.

European spruce is used for the soundboard and, in keeping with the design of 16th-Century lutes, its soundhole is a carved rosette in an attractive geometric pattern which is cut into the soundboard itself and is not inlaid of different material. Most exciting is that the soundboard bracing pattern follows bracing used in world-famous Kohno classical guitars.

The mahogany neck has a shape is similar to a classical guitar with a 45mm wide nut of ebony. The top of the peg box has a woman's head carved on the top. Using standard steel classical guitar strings, it is tuned like a guitar in e, b, G, D, A, E tuning. If it is to be used for lute music, the 3rd string may be tuned a semi-tone down to F# to enable lute fingering. The guitar is outfitted with smooth-operating gold tuners with black ebonized tuning key buttons. The overall length is 1030mm and the scale length is 647mm, similar to a normal guitar. Satin lacquer finish. GLSVG $679.15

Lute-Guitar Bag This bag has hand grips, padded shoulder straps, and a large, 12" x12" , pocket. It provides good protection with almost 1" of padding.

Overall length, Base to Top: 40.5"

Neck length 19"Neck width 6.75"Neck depth 2"

Body length 21.5Body, top shoulders, width 12"Body, bottom hip, width 15"Body Depth 4"

KGBXC $51.90

Baroque Lute, 6/8, Rosewood

This rosewood Baroque lute has a body made of 13 solid rosewood staves, a rosewood neck and rosewood fingerboard. The peg box is solid rosewood. The tuning pegs and end pin are rosewood. The soundboard is made out of European spruce. There are eight nylon frets and four rosewood frets. The recommended tuning is G1 A1 B1 C2 D2 E2 F2 G2 A2 A3 D3 D4 G3 G3 B3 B3 E4 E4 A4 (F, G, A, B, C D E F G Aa dd' gg bb e'e' a'). A nylon gig bag is included.

Materials:
Neck: Rosewood
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Peg Box: Rosewood
Bridge: Rosewood
Soundboard: Spruce
Soundboard Bracing: Spruce
Nut: Rosewood
Tuning Pegs: Rosewood

Dimensions:
Scale Length: 484mm
Overall dimensions: 1,035mm length, 308mm width, and 140mm depth
Weight: Approximately Without Gig Bag: 1.13 kg or 2.5 pounds.
Weight: Approximately With Gig Bag: 1.72 kg or 3.8 pounds.

LT68R $1104.15

7-Course Lute, Variegated, Taylor The Taylor lute has a body of alternating rosewood and lacewood staves, with a rosewood neck, peg box, and rosewood finger board. The tuners are ebony. The soundboard is made out of European spruce with a rosewood bridge and rosewood end pin. There are six nylon frets and six rosewood frets. The nut width is 67 mm.

The 7 and 8 course Renaissance lutes designed by Zachary Taylor are based on an instrument made by Hans Frei, the original of which may be seen in the Warwick Museum in England. This lute was made in Bologna about 1540 and since then may have been the subject of conversions to the stringing and the soundboard. Apart from shortening the string length from 670mm to 600, for ease of left-hand fingering, the instruments follow Hans Frei's principles of construction. Hard case included. LT7BZT $713.15

8-Course Lute, Deluxe, Rosewood This 8 course lute features a bowl constructed of 25 scalloped staves and a peg box with lace work. The scale length is 600 mm.Materials: The neck, bowl, nut, bridge, and end pin are rosewood. The peg box is rosewood and lacewood. The soundboard is spruce.A hard case is included with the instrument. LT8DR $747.15

7-Course Travel Lute, Rosewood

The rosewood travel lute has a body made of eleven solid rosewood staves, a rosewood neck and rosewood fingerboard. The peg box is solid rosewood attached at an angle of 135 degrees to reduce the depth of the instrument. The tuning pegs and end pin are rosewood. The soundboard is made out of European spruce. There are eight nylon frets and four rosewood frets. The recommended tuning is G2 G3 A2 A3 D3 D4 G3 G3 B3 B3 E4 E4 A4 (Gg Aa dd' gg bb e'e' a'). A nylon gig bag is included.

Materials:

Neck: Rosewood
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Peg Box: Rosewood
Bridge: Rosewood
Soundboard: Spruce
Soundboard Bracing: Spruce
Nut: Rosewood
Tuning Pegs: Rosewood

Dimensions:
Scale Length: 572mm
Overall dimensions: 800mm length, 230mm width, and 152mm depth
Nut Width: 190mm
Weight: Approximately Without Gig Bag: 0.79 kg or 1.75 pounds.
Weight: Approximately With Gig Bag: 1.36 kg or 3 pounds.

LTT7R $458.15

8-Course Travel Lute, Rosewood LTT8R $475.15

8 Course Lute, Variegated This 8 course lute has a body of alternating rosewood and lacewood staves, with a rosewood neck, peg box, and rosewood finger board. The peg box is solid rosewood and the tuners are ebony. The soundboard is made out of European spruce with a rosewood bridge and rosewood end pin. There are six nylon frets and six rosewood frets. The nut width is 67 mm.This Renaissance lute is based on an instrument made by Hans Frei, the original of which may be seen in the Warwick Museum in England. This lute was made in Bologna about 1540 and since then may have been the subject of conversions to the stringing and the soundboard. Apart from shortening the string length from 670mm to 600, for ease of left-hand fingering, the instruments follow Hans Frei's principles of construction. Hard case included.nstruction. Hard case included. LUT009 $747.15

8 Course Lute, Rosewood This 8 course lute has a body made of solid rosewood staves, a rosewood neck and rosewood finger board. The peg box is solid rosewood and the tuners are ebony. The soundboard is made out of European spruce with a rosewood bridge and rosewood end pin. There are six nylon frets and six rosewood frets. The nut width is 67 mm. The bowl has 5 chinar ribs and 6 rosewood ribs with a rosewood end cap.

This Renaissance lute is based on an instrument made by Hans Frei, the original of which may be seen in the Warwick Museum in England. This lute was made in Bologna about 1540 and since then may have been the subject of conversions to the stringing and the soundboard. Apart from shortening the string length from 670mm to 600, for ease of left-hand fingering, the instruments follow Hans Frei's principles of construction. Hard case included.

LUT010 $747.15

7 Course Lute, Lacewood This 7 course lute has a body made of solid lacewood staves, a rosewood fret board on a maple neck. The peg box is maple with a rosewood veneer and the tuners are ebony. The soundboard is made out of European spruce with a rosewood bridge and rosewood end pin. There are 15 nylon strings in 7 courses. The nut width is 67 mm.

LUT012 $713.15

Bass Guitar Lute with case A Cross between a harp guitar and a guitar lute, 12 nylon strings, 6 are bass stringsFlamed Maple body, Spruce top, Rosewood fingerboard, Carved bridge, Carved rosette in soundhole, Carved Headstock, Geared tuners, Metal rod for stability
Comes with a case
Overall Length: 51"
Width: 14-1/2"
Nut Width: 1-15/16"
Scale Length: 25-1/4" (on the standard guitar neck), 35" (on the bass strings)
TUNING: Strings on fingerboard tuned same as guitar. Bass strings (starting with string just above guitar strings) D,C#,B,A,G,F#. This is common tuning, others are possible
Uses regular Classical strings on the guitar neck. LUT344/2 $3250.00

Nine Course Master Lute Traditional pieced Master Lute, with flamed Maple back and finely grained Spruce face. Features a carved rosette soundhole, traditional bent peghead, and Rosewood fingerboard, pins and bridge. True, traditional design gut frets with nylon strings. Includes a very sturdy, well made hardshell case. 17 strings in 9 courses. Sometimes also known as "Tenor Lute".

Sound Sample LUT346/17 $3850.00

7 course Lute (second) Flamed Maple back, Fine-grained Spruce top; Rosewood fingerboard, pins and bridge; Carved rosette soundhole, and bent peghead. Also known as Tenor Lute.TUNING: DGCFADG or FGCFADG (13 strings in 7 courses)Slight finish repair blemishes. Plays and looks great though! Does not include case. SEC2808 $2900.00

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PO Box 1176, Mendocino, CA 95460 USA
(707) 964-5569

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