A lute very closely modelled on the well proportioned little instrument by Giovanni Hieber, Venice, c. 1570 in the Brussels Conservatoire collection. The original, of figured and plain maple, is quite undecorated, even lacking fingerboard points. It has, though, a very pleasing geometry, with quite a generous width of soundboard. I have made many versions of this lute, usually in maple, and regards it as one of the best models for an alto lute.