[LUTE] Re: New lutenist looking for a first instrument

[sterling price]

   Hi--I have had experience with many types of lutes-- from very
   expensive and great, to very shitty and horrible. The fame and
   reputation of the maker is not always a good indication of how good and
   playable the lute will be. It seem that -many- builders can't seem to
   make a lute with playable action and sometimes even good adult hand
   size string spacing. So like I said-I have 4 of these Turkish Sandi
   lutes and they are quite nice. Yes they are not perfect, but take the
   case of their 14 course attiorbatto. I have had several archlutes and
   attiorbattos from different makers and this Sandi one is the best one I
   have had-- even with its quirks. I don't think these are made in a
   factory.
   Sterling
 __

   From: Jim Dunn <writetojimh...@gmail.com>
   To: Jack <jackyen...@gmail.com>
   Cc: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu
   Sent: Friday, November 4, 2016 6:54 AM
   Subject: [LUTE] Re: New lutenist looking for a first instrument
   Hello John,
   I echo David van Ooijen's recommendation that you hire one first! When
   I started that didn't occur to me unfortunately, so I thought I'd share
   my experience with the budget end of the market...
   The first lute I had was a Pakistani made lute of the same variety that
   the sell at Thomann, the site David Morales mentions; and I would agree
   with him on that. Avoid it like the plague â it was huge and completely
   unplayable. I struggled on with it for a while thinking that perhaps I
   was just terrible, but came to the conclusion I should try another
   before giving up. So instead I purchased an Early Music Shop lute, and
   although I'm acutely aware of it's limitations, it is so very much
   better. It is, as you will read everywhere, heavier than a luthier made
   lute, but when the strings were replaced its sound was actually quite
   pleasant! It's required a little bit of work to make it better; work on
   the nut and replacing the frets etc, but there are some good tips on
   improving it here which you may be aware of already:
   [1]http://john.redmood.com/improvebargainlute.html
   Nonetheless, if you can afford better, definitely go better!
   I've never handled the Turkish lutes you mention, but I have read that
   they are pretty heavily constructed and a bit more Oud-like. Looking at
   their price point, I'd question if they are worth it; the price is
   getting towards what a luthier made renaissance student lute would be
   here in the UK (as an example, here's one made by James Marriage
   [2]http://www.jminstruments.com/instruments.aspx ).
   Good luck,
   Jim
   > On 4 Nov 2016, at 09:23, Jack <[3]jackyen...@gmail.com> wrote:
   >
   > Hello all,
   >
   > My name is John Yentes.  I have been a classical guitarist and
   violist for many years (among many other instruments) and am beginning
   my foray into the world of the lute.  I am currently living in Japan
   and am wondering if anyone knows of or is selling a used instrument
   that I could purchase or perhaps if you might also know of some less
   expensive luthiers for decent quality instruments.  I don't mind buying
   something a bit less than perfect as I have already resigned myself to
   the idea of visiting a professional who can adjust the instrument for
   my own specific needs.  I'm looking for an 8 course lute or perhaps a
   baroque lute.  I'm not quite sure which I would prefer to start with,
   but I would be very grateful for any information I could acquire in
   regards to the pros and cons of starting on either instrument
   respectively in regard to my previous experience as a guitarist .  My
   budget is only about 1500 dollars. I have found some lutes on eBay from
   a Turkish maker named !
   Sa!
   > adettin Sandi and his son.  Apparently they are of fairly good
   quality from what I have read.  I have also been considering some
   instruments from the early music shop.  If anyone could provide any
   info for me, I would greatly appreciate it.  I enjoy listening to music
   from the Italian renaissance such as Piccinnini and I also enjoy
   Dowland quite a bit.  I am well versed in the works of baroque music
   available for the lute as well though, so perhaps what I am after is an
   instrument that can play a bit of everything or at least has some
   degree of versatility.  Thanks for reading and I hope to hear back from
   some of you.
   >
   >
   > John
   >
   > Sent from my iPhone
   >
   >
   >
   > To get on or off this list see list information at
   > [4]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html

   --

References

   1. http://john.redmood.com/improvebargainlute.html
   2. http://www.jminstruments.com/instruments.aspx
   3. mailto:jackyen...@gmail.com
   4. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html

[LUTE] Re: New lutenist looking for a first instrument

[Jim Dunn]

Hello John,

I echo David van Ooijen's recommendation that you hire one first! When I 
started that didn't occur to me unfortunately, so I thought I'd share my 
experience with the budget end of the market...

The first lute I had was a Pakistani made lute of the same variety that the 
sell at Thomann, the site David Morales mentions; and I would agree with him on 
that. Avoid it like the plague – it was huge and completely unplayable. I 
struggled on with it for a while thinking that perhaps I was just terrible, but 
came to the conclusion I should try another before giving up. So instead I 
purchased an Early Music Shop lute, and although I'm acutely aware of it's 
limitations, it is so very much better. It is, as you will read everywhere, 
heavier than a luthier made lute, but when the strings were replaced its sound 
was actually quite pleasant! It's required a little bit of work to make it 
better; work on the nut and replacing the frets etc, but there are some good 
tips on improving it here which you may be aware of already: 
http://john.redmood.com/improvebargainlute.html

Nonetheless, if you can afford better, definitely go better!

I've never handled the Turkish lutes you mention, but I have read that they are 
pretty heavily constructed and a bit more Oud-like. Looking at their price 
point, I'd question if they are worth it; the price is getting towards what a 
luthier made renaissance student lute would be here in the UK (as an example, 
here's one made by James Marriage http://www.jminstruments.com/instruments.aspx 
). 

Good luck,

Jim


> On 4 Nov 2016, at 09:23, Jack  wrote:
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> My name is John Yentes.  I have been a classical guitarist and violist for 
> many years (among many other instruments) and am beginning my foray into the 
> world of the lute.  I am currently living in Japan and am wondering if anyone 
> knows of or is selling a used instrument that I could purchase or perhaps if 
> you might also know of some less expensive luthiers for decent quality 
> instruments.  I don't mind buying something a bit less than perfect as I have 
> already resigned myself to the idea of visiting a professional who can adjust 
> the instrument for my own specific needs.  I'm looking for an 8 course lute 
> or perhaps a baroque lute.  I'm not quite sure which I would prefer to start 
> with, but I would be very grateful for any information I could acquire in 
> regards to the pros and cons of starting on either instrument respectively in 
> regard to my previous experience as a guitarist .  My budget is only about 
> 1500 dollars. I have found some lutes on eBay from a Turkish maker named !
 Sa!
> adettin Sandi and his son.  Apparently they are of fairly good quality from 
> what I have read.  I have also been considering some instruments from the 
> early music shop.  If anyone could provide any info for me, I would greatly 
> appreciate it.  I enjoy listening to music from the Italian renaissance such 
> as Piccinnini and I also enjoy Dowland quite a bit.  I am well versed in the 
> works of baroque music available for the lute as well though, so perhaps what 
> I am after is an instrument that can play a bit of everything or at least has 
> some degree of versatility.  Thanks for reading and I hope to hear back from 
> some of you.
> 
> 
> John
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> 
> 
> To get on or off this list see list information at
> http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html

[LUTE] Re: New lutenist looking for a first instrument

[Rob MacKillop]

Don't they have a big heavy bridge, the type used on ouds?

Rob



> On 4 Nov 2016, at 12:23, sterling price  wrote:
> 
>   Hi John--I have had -4- of the Sandi lutes and I must say that they are
>   pretty great. Not just great for the price but great lutes. They do
>   need bigger frets and better strings but once you do that you have a
>   great lute. I would totally recommend their 13 course lute. I had one
>   but I sold it to a student who needed one, so now I am thinking of
>   buying another one. Don't let the low price deter you. I also have
>   their 6 course and 9 course as well as the 14 course attiorbato.
>   Happy Luting--
>   Sterling
> __
> 
>   From: Jack 
>   To: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu
>   Sent: Friday, November 4, 2016 3:23 AM
>   Subject: [LUTE] New lutenist looking for a first instrument
>   Hello all,
>   My name is John Yentes.  I have been a classical guitarist and violist
>   for many years (among many other instruments) and am beginning my foray
>   into the world of the lute.  I am currently living in Japan and am
>   wondering if anyone knows of or is selling a used instrument that I
>   could purchase or perhaps if you might also know of some less expensive
>   luthiers for decent quality instruments.  I don't mind buying something
>   a bit less than perfect as I have already resigned myself to the idea
>   of visiting a professional who can adjust the instrument for my own
>   specific needs.  I'm looking for an 8 course lute or perhaps a baroque
>   lute.  I'm not quite sure which I would prefer to start with, but I
>   would be very grateful for any information I could acquire in regards
>   to the pros and cons of starting on either instrument respectively in
>   regard to my previous experience as a guitarist .  My budget is only
>   about 1500 dollars. I have found some lutes on eBay from a Turkish
>   maker named Sa!
>   adettin Sandi and his son.  Apparently they are of fairly good quality
>   from what I have read.  I have also been considering some instruments
>   from the early music shop.  If anyone could provide any info for me, I
>   would greatly appreciate it.  I enjoy listening to music from the
>   Italian renaissance such as Piccinnini and I also enjoy Dowland quite a
>   bit.  I am well versed in the works of baroque music available for the
>   lute as well though, so perhaps what I am after is an instrument that
>   can play a bit of everything or at least has some degree of
>   versatility.  Thanks for reading and I hope to hear back from some of
>   you.
>   John
>   Sent from my iPhone
>   To get on or off this list see list information at
>   [1]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
> 
>   --
> 
> References
> 
>   1. file:///net/people/lute-arc/L14678-805TMP.html
> 

[LUTE] Re: New lutenist looking for a first instrument

[sterling price]

   Hi John--I have had -4- of the Sandi lutes and I must say that they are
   pretty great. Not just great for the price but great lutes. They do
   need bigger frets and better strings but once you do that you have a
   great lute. I would totally recommend their 13 course lute. I had one
   but I sold it to a student who needed one, so now I am thinking of
   buying another one. Don't let the low price deter you. I also have
   their 6 course and 9 course as well as the 14 course attiorbato.
   Happy Luting--
   Sterling
 __

   From: Jack 
   To: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu
   Sent: Friday, November 4, 2016 3:23 AM
   Subject: [LUTE] New lutenist looking for a first instrument
   Hello all,
   My name is John Yentes.  I have been a classical guitarist and violist
   for many years (among many other instruments) and am beginning my foray
   into the world of the lute.  I am currently living in Japan and am
   wondering if anyone knows of or is selling a used instrument that I
   could purchase or perhaps if you might also know of some less expensive
   luthiers for decent quality instruments.  I don't mind buying something
   a bit less than perfect as I have already resigned myself to the idea
   of visiting a professional who can adjust the instrument for my own
   specific needs.  I'm looking for an 8 course lute or perhaps a baroque
   lute.  I'm not quite sure which I would prefer to start with, but I
   would be very grateful for any information I could acquire in regards
   to the pros and cons of starting on either instrument respectively in
   regard to my previous experience as a guitarist .  My budget is only
   about 1500 dollars. I have found some lutes on eBay from a Turkish
   maker named Sa!
   adettin Sandi and his son.  Apparently they are of fairly good quality
   from what I have read.  I have also been considering some instruments
   from the early music shop.  If anyone could provide any info for me, I
   would greatly appreciate it.  I enjoy listening to music from the
   Italian renaissance such as Piccinnini and I also enjoy Dowland quite a
   bit.  I am well versed in the works of baroque music available for the
   lute as well though, so perhaps what I am after is an instrument that
   can play a bit of everything or at least has some degree of
   versatility.  Thanks for reading and I hope to hear back from some of
   you.
   John
   Sent from my iPhone
   To get on or off this list see list information at
   [1]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html

   --

References

   1. file:///net/people/lute-arc/L14678-805TMP.html

[LUTE] Re: New lutenist looking for a first instrument

[David van Ooijen]

   Welcome to the club!
   Piccinini and Dowland require a lute in Renaissance tuning, most
   Baroque music requires a lute in Baroque tuning. So you will not  be
   able to get one instrument for all music.
   There are arrangements of Baroque music for a lute in Renaissance
   tuning, and there is Zamboni, of course.
   I do not know of any arrangements of Renaissance music for a lute in
   Baroque tuning.
   Generally, people start on a Renaissance lute, but there is an argument
   that a Baroque lute is easier to start with.
   The Lute and Early Guitar Society of Japan has instruments for rent.
   Here is a link to it's Japanese pages:
   Contact Toru Sakurada for details.
   [1]http://www.lgs-japan.org/index.cgi
   Contact Toru Sakurada for details.
   Ganbatte kudasai!
   David

   ***
   David van Ooijen
   [2]davidvanooi...@gmail.com
   [3]www.davidvanooijen.nl
   ***
   On 4 November 2016 at 10:23, Jack <[4]jackyen...@gmail.com> wrote:

 Hello all,
 My name is John Yentes.   I have been a classical guitarist and
 violist for many years (among many other instruments) and am
 beginning my foray into the world of the lute.   I am currently
 living in Japan and am wondering if anyone knows of or is selling a
 used instrument that I could purchase or perhaps if you might also
 know of some less expensive luthiers for decent quality instruments.
   I don't mind buying something a bit less than perfect as I have
 already resigned myself to the idea of visiting a professional who
 can adjust the instrument for my own specific needs.   I'm looking
 for an 8 course lute or perhaps a baroque lute.   I'm not quite sure
 which I would prefer to start with, but I would be very grateful for
 any information I could acquire in regards to the pros and cons of
 starting on either instrument respectively in regard to my previous
 experience as a guitarist .   My budget is only about 1500 dollars.
 I have found some lutes on eBay from a Turkish maker named Sa!
  adettin Sandi and his son.   Apparently they are of fairly good
 quality from what I have read.   I have also been considering some
 instruments from the early music shop.   If anyone could provide any
 info for me, I would greatly appreciate it.   I enjoy listening to
 music from the Italian renaissance such as Piccinnini and I also
 enjoy Dowland quite a bit.   I am well versed in the works of
 baroque music available for the lute as well though, so perhaps what
 I am after is an instrument that can play a bit of everything or at
 least has some degree of versatility.   Thanks for reading and I
 hope to hear back from some of you.
 John
 Sent from my iPhone
 To get on or off this list see list information at
 [5]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html

   --

References

   1. http://www.lgs-japan.org/index.cgi
   2. mailto:davidvanooi...@gmail.com
   3. http://www.davidvanooijen.nl/
   4. mailto:jackyen...@gmail.com
   5. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html

[LUTE] Re: New lutenist looking for a first instrument

[David Morales]

   Hi John,
   We have a section on our blog completely devoted to used instruments on
   sale. We are not involved in the sale, we only help the people to
   announce their instruments for free and I can say that it works pretty
   well.
   [1]www.cuerdaspulsadas.com/blog/category/mercado/
   You can translate the webpage by using the flags on the top left
   corner.
   Consider, and this is my opinion, to buy one of these instruments
   instead of one coming from Thomman or mid-est countries. It could be
   more expensive but better in the long-term.
   Regards.

   2016-11-04 10:23 GMT+01:00 Jack <[2]jackyen...@gmail.com>:

 Hello all,
 My name is John Yentes.   I have been a classical guitarist and
 violist for many years (among many other instruments) and am
 beginning my foray into the world of the lute.   I am currently
 living in Japan and am wondering if anyone knows of or is selling a
 used instrument that I could purchase or perhaps if you might also
 know of some less expensive luthiers for decent quality instruments.
   I don't mind buying something a bit less than perfect as I have
 already resigned myself to the idea of visiting a professional who
 can adjust the instrument for my own specific needs.   I'm looking
 for an 8 course lute or perhaps a baroque lute.   I'm not quite sure
 which I would prefer to start with, but I would be very grateful for
 any information I could acquire in regards to the pros and cons of
 starting on either instrument respectively in regard to my previous
 experience as a guitarist .   My budget is only about 1500 dollars.
 I have found some lutes on eBay from a Turkish maker named Sa!
  adettin Sandi and his son.   Apparently they are of fairly good
 quality from what I have read.   I have also been considering some
 instruments from the early music shop.   If anyone could provide any
 info for me, I would greatly appreciate it.   I enjoy listening to
 music from the Italian renaissance such as Piccinnini and I also
 enjoy Dowland quite a bit.   I am well versed in the works of
 baroque music available for the lute as well though, so perhaps what
 I am after is an instrument that can play a bit of everything or at
 least has some degree of versatility.   Thanks for reading and I
 hope to hear back from some of you.
 John
 Sent from my iPhone
 To get on or off this list see list information at
 [3]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html

   --
   Cuerdas Pulsadas
   [4]www.cuerdaspulsadas.com || [5]h...@cuerdaspulsadas.com
   [6]BLOG || [7]AGENDA || [8]TIMELINE

   [9]blog [10]facebook [11]twitter [12]instagram

   --

References

   1. http://www.cuerdaspulsadas.com/blog/category/mercado/
   2. mailto:jackyen...@gmail.com
   3. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
   4. http://www.cuerdaspulsadas.com/
   5. mailto:h...@cuerdaspulsadas.com
   6. http://www.cuerdaspulsadas.es/blog
   7. http://cuerdaspulsadas.es/blog/agenda/
   8. http://www.cuerdaspulsadas.com/timeline
   9. http://.cuerdaspulsadas.com/blog
  10. http://www.facebook.com/cuerdaspulsadas
  11. http://www.twitter.com/cuerdaspulsadas
  12. http://www.instagram.com/cuerdaspulsadas