Lute

Originally the lute is an Arabic / Persian stringed instrument with pear-shaped, semicircular body. It was introduced in Europe by the Moors. The type of decoration of the sound hole (rosette) still witnesses this.
In the 16th, 17th and 18th century the instrument became popular in Europe and was the preferred instrument of the higher social classes for playing house music.
In recent decades the interest in this elegant instrument, as well as for the music written in that period of its popularity, is growing again

Historical instruments

Most lutes I build are 7 - 9 course renaissance lutes with a body made of 9 ribs. Traditionally lutes were built of maple for the back and spruce for the top. Although spruce is still used for the top, back and neck can built with all sorts of exotic types of wood. A matter of taste

Cister

Small pear-shaped lute with flat body. The instrument was very popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. Available in spruce or cedar top and back of maple or / and rosewood

Rosette of a lute

Lutes, cisterns and other historic instruments come in many shapes and sizes. So before building the instrument, together with the customer, shape and further details are specified into detail in order to achieve that unique instrument you are looking for.

Cister

Study guitars Concert guitar Lute