Players who borrowed my large prototype Tecchler have been enthusiastic but some remain cautious about its size. Since most lutenists can afford only one archlute I decided to offer a smaller version. This is one of the few instances were I have "designed" a lute rather than utilizing a surviving example. I reduced the size of the bowl and belly of the original proportionally, retaining their characteristic shape and contour and the placement of the bridge and rose. Models of my smaller "Tecchler" have now been heard in both large and small venues at the Carmel Bach Festival (Summer 2006), and in Rodelinda, Metropolitan Opera, New York (Spring 2006).

Specifications: the small model has a fretted string length of 65 to 66 cm with bass courses from 103 cm (pictured here) or diapasons beginning at 120 cm. The 15 rib ebony bowl is approximately 33 cm wide, 16 cm deep and 49 cm long.