Click on the images below for larger pictures


Lute front
lute front

Lute back
lute yew back


Head and neck
Detail of head and neck with stripes

"A" pattern rose used on basic instruments

Optional "B" patteren rose

Rose
Optional "C" pattern Venere rose

Optional "D" pattern rose

Optional rose "E" pattern

Optional bird's-eye maple back and optional ebony spacers in rib joints

 The 59 cm Venere model lute
This instrument is modeled on an instrument made by Venere in 1596 in Bolonga, Italy now in the Vienia museum, number C64. The original instrument has a string length of 64cm. I have scaled the design down to 59cm for this reconstruction to make it more adaptable to modern playing techniques and pitch.
The adjusted body outline has been compared to another Venere lute in the Bolonga collection that has a string length of 58cm to insure a consistent instrument style.

The bowl is made up of thirteen ribs and has a flattened profile. That is, it is wider than it is deep. This shallow profile brings the plane of the strings closer to the body, making the instrument easier to play. The thinner sound chamber also gives the instrument a quicker, more projective tone than one with a fuller, half-round profile. The tone of this instrument is very full and powerful with a sustained ring.


Click on the icon below to hear a Verere eight course lute with gut strings, (windows media file).
Click for sound file
Basic Lute Features: 

This lute model is available as:

  • Six course lute
  • Seven course lute, (as the original)
  • Eight sourse lute

The base price* for each instrument is:

  • Six course lute - $2,475
  • Seven course lute - $2,600
  • Eight course lute - $2,800

For details about the terms of sale, please look at the Terms of Sale page on the website.

Basic Model lute specifications:

  • 59cm string length 
  • Overall length - 28"
  • Body width - 17 1/4"
  • Body Width - 12"
  • Body depth - 5 1/2"
  • String spacing between courses at bridge, (8 course), 10.1mm
  • Spacing between strings in course at bridge, (8 course),  4.9mm
  • String spacing between courses at nut, (8 course),  5.7mm
  • Spacing between strings in course at nut, (8 course),  3.1

    • 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

    - Back woods -

  • Cherry with ebony spacers - $100.00
  • Figured maple - $125.00
  • Figured maple with ebony spacers - $225.00
  • Yew - $225.00
  • Yew with ebony sacers - $325.00
  • Pear - $100.00
  • Pear with ebony spacers - $200.00
  • Bird's eye maple - $200.00
  • Bird's eye malpe with ebony spacers - $300.00
  • Rosewood with boxwood spacers - $475.00
  • Mahogany with ebony spacers - $275.00

    • Other optional features:

     

    Shipping information
    Lute front
    Front detail


    Detail of bridge, binding and heart

    Lute in the Kingham case

    Optional pear-wood back

    Optional Yew Back
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    * The base price is the lowest price at which this instrument is available. Additional features are available at extra cost, which are added onto the base price to obtain a total cost of the instrument.