[BAROQUE-LUTE] Re: new 11c lute - pics

[Edward Martin]

I'll bet you are eager to get this instrument, Rob!

I had a Mahler years ago, a 10 course, and it sounded fantastic.  A deep, 
rich sound.  As you know, Mace, Burwell, and even Baron gave such high 
ranking for his lutes.

What strikes me as being so interesting is in the simplicity of his 
designs.  No frills, just beautiful instruments, with great sound.  When I 
think of Maler (Mahler), I am impressed with a design in which the quality 
was in the workmanship and materials, with attention to detail, but using 
excellence of workmanship instead of fancy ornamentation.  A real working 
man professional instrument, in which the whole concept was in fantastic sound.

At the length of 69 cm, it may be a wee bit too long to get a gut treble to 
work, at f  415.  If you tune it slightly lower that 415, you may have 
better luck with trebles.  At any rate, Martin builds beautiful lutes, be 
assured.

In addition to the beautiful French baroque, you can also do Reusner, 
Conradi, Kellner, early Weiss.  What fun....

ed



At 02:26 PM 11/21/2007 +0000, Rob wrote:
>Found out the string length (69) and model 354. Martin Shepherd wrote this
>in an email to me, and I'm sure he won't mind me sharing the info:
>
> >>>I have very little information on the original instrument because it (and
>its
>friend) are hidden away in a Bohemian castle instead of in the main museum
>in Prague.  When I went there about three years ago I was informed that the
>musical instrument collection was in storage, presumably awaiting transfer
>to the castle.  If I remember correctly the meagre information I have been
>able to glean, in its present state it is a 13c lute with a string length of
>67.3cm.  (I have a drawing of the body, but no data on the neck and pegbox).
>When I made your lute I discovered that the string length had to be longer
>to get the "normal"
>proportions of an 11c lute, that is where the neck/body join is close to
>where the tenth fret would be, allowing the ninth fret to be tied without
>too much difficulty (the angle of the neck/body joint is such that if the
>fret comes too close to the body it has to be tied on at a crazy angle and
>anchored by notches in the edge of the fingerboard).<<<
>
>Maler originals were often used in the 17th century for 11c instruments. The
>shape and sound were very much in fashion. Yet there are very few luthiers
>who use Malers today, preferring instead the beautiful Warwick Frei. We did
>consider the Frei, but settled on the Maler as a sort of experiment. There
>will no veneer and only nine ribs. For the French repertoire, volume is of
>less interest to me than resonance. As ever, one can only wait and see what
>the result will be. Very much looking forward to it.
>
>Rob
>
>www.rmguitar.info
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Edward Martin [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Sent: 21 November 2007 14:02
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'BAROQUE-LUTE'
>Subject: Re: [BAROQUE-LUTE] Re: new 11c lute - pics
>
>Rob,
>
>You will absolutely love 11 course music, on an 11 course lute.  It is very
>satisfying.
>
>ed
>
>
>
>
>
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