There’s a database of instruments at
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~lsa/associated/database/dbsearch.php
I compiled a download of theorbos/archlutes from it when I was doing some
cursory research into a question similar to yours. AI’m sending it to you
separately.
The problem with your question is that to answer it you have to make
assumptions about precisely the instruments you should not be making
assumptions about. Suppose you find an instrument with six double-strung 74 cm
courses on the fingerboard and eight 150 cm courses on the extension. Is it a
theorbo in D, a small theorbo in A built to play at A 466 or higher, or a
archlute built to play at A 370? Historical instruments don’t come with
instruction manuals.
You might search the list archives for “Theorbo in G?” and (dare I say it?),
“toy theorbo” to some views, not all of them helpful, that have been expressed
on theorbo sizes.
> On Aug 20, 2017, at 9:36 AM, Luca Manassero <l...@manassero.net> wrote:
>
> Dear collective wisdom,
>
> I'm doing some research concerning the historical theorbo (fretted)
> string lengths in museum or private collections: I'd be really grateful
> to anybody letting me know about historical theorbos with "short" string
> length. Of course a reference to a collection or at least to a an
> historical lutemaker would be important, thank you.
>
> I'd be also curious to know from our luthier friends what is the
> shortest historical theorbo they ever had the chance to see and/or
> measure.
>
> I'm of course referring to theorbos in G or A, knowing that there aren't
> surviving French theorbos ("théorbe des pièces") in D.
>
> Thank you in advance for your kind help,
>
> Luca
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