10 course Frei model lute by Daniel Larson, 1996
Instrument shown with ebony fingerboard and ebony front binding with heart.
Figured maple back (standard choice)
The lute rose is carefully cut into the wood of the front by hand. The border is a delicate ring of diamonds.
Hans Frei was one of the great instrument makers in Italy in the early 1500's. In his workshop in Bologna he helped to define the form of the lute. A testament to the enduring quality of his instruments is that no extant Frei lute remains in original condition. They have all been updated with the passage of time and the fashions of music with new necks to accommodate more strings and new tunings.
This model is based on an instrument by Hans Frei now in the Wein Kunsthistorisches Museum, no. C34. This model has been chosen because it is a very beautiful and comfortable form with a full, bright tone. It is an ideal lute for both beginners and experienced players.
The original instrument, in its present form, is an 11 course instrument for baroque tuning. This is a later adaptation of the instrument, which was probably made as a six course instrument. To supply the needs of a variety of players this instrument is offered as a six, seven, eight, and ten course renaissance lute; or with the eleven course Baroque tuning.
This instrument is available as a basic model described below, or you can order it with the available optional features. The cost of the optional features are added to the basic instrument price.
Lute Features:
- String length 6, 7, 8, and 10 course models - 63cm or 64cm
- String length 11 course model - 67.5cm
- Body length - 44cm
- Body width - 31cm
- Overall length - 74cm
- Choice of figured maple or yew back
- Cherry neck
- Cherry fingerboard with rosewood edges and points
- Rosewood pegs
- Engleman spruce front
- Nylon strings with wound nylon basses
- Form fitting Kingham Case
Price for basic model, including case:
- Six course lute - $2,350.00
- Seven course lute - $2,550.00
- Eight course lute - $2,650.00
- Ten course lute - $2,850.00
- Eleven course baroque lute - $3,775.00
Click on the icon below to hear a Frei model eleven course baroque lute with gut strings, (windows media file).
Please look on this page to see pictures of backs that are in stock and ready to be made into instruments. You can choose one of these pre-made backs, or specify another wood.
In addition to the instrument described above and pictured enhancement features can be added to the instrument.
Optional features:
The basic model instrument comes with a good quality engelmann "A" quality spruce front. Other qualities of front wood are available as an optional feature. Please click on this link to go to the page that explains all of the front woods available.
Engelmann "AA" quality, add $45.00
Engelmann "AAA" quality, add $55.00
Western Red Cedar, add $45.00
Sitka Spruce, add $45.00
Figured Sitka Spruce, add $75.00
Fiemme Valley Italian Spruce, Add $65.00
Figured Fiemme Valley Italian Spruce, add $80.00
Italian Alpine Spruce, add $75.00
Oriental Spruce, add $100.00
- Ebony front binding with heart - $95.00
- Ebony rib spacers - $175.00
- Gut string set - $125.00
- Shaded English Yew back (see picture below) - $225.00
- Ebony fingerboard with points- $125.00
- Ebony veneered neck - $175.00
For details about the terms of sale, please look at the Terms of Sale page on the web site.
Shipping information
Western Yew back (standard choice)
Shaded English Yew back (optional feature)