After the ‘Warwick’ Frei 69.5 cm
e' A440 10 frets 11 ribs
Model LL
This large lute is modelled on the famous and splendid early 16C instrument
by Hans Frei in Warwick County Museum, almost certainly originally a 6c lute and
now converted to 11c. The body, which I consider to be the finest of the few
surviving high Renaissance lutes, has the long classic ‘Bologna’ outline (Mace’s
‘pearl’ form) and strongly formed cross section so admired by players of the
French Baroque period. The back of the original is of 11 highly flamed maple
ribs and I also use figured ash, plum and other woods. I have made it with plain
neck and pegbox in plum or maple, which can also be veneered with ebony.
Decorated versions have fretted and carved, occasionally gilded, pegbox panels.
The fingerboard is cambered and there is a treble rider for the chanterelle.
This model can be considered of a ‘normal’ string length for such a lute.
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