After the ‘Warwick’ Frei    70/98cm    e'A440    10¼ 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. 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. The top neck is a strong and stable form, modelled after Martin Hoffman.