>Hi Herb, I don't think there are any playable old (i.e. Renaissance) lutes. Over time (centuries, I mean) when stored in normal room conditions, the wood would dry out and become brittle and glue joints would weaken. Since both wood and hide glue are organic materials, they are also subject to mold, bacterial, or insect infestation. And then there's the normal wear and tear from frequent use. Even if an instrument could stand up to being strung at playing tension, I doubt that it would sound much like it did when it was first made.
Many old lutes have also been reworked in later periods to add courses, new necks, etc., to keep them up to the current fashion. Tim > > >---- Original Message ---- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: RE: How long can a lute last? >Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 13:48:13 -0500 (CDT) > >> >> >>Excuse me if I'm raising an already-discussed subject. >> >>Are there any good-sounding old lutes? Or do lutes inevitably >decay, like >>fallen trees in ancient forests? >> >> >>
