Hans Frei after C.34, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

The original lute was probably built as a 6 or 7 course but exists today as an 11 course. The bowl and soundboard are undoubtedly original and they provide an excellent example of mid-16th century lute making. It is one of the few surviving lutes which is of a size that is suitable to be built with string lengths between 61 to 64 centimeters. For this reason it is a widely modeled instrument.

I like to use a variety of styles when constructing the neck and pegbox. Solid beech or walnut duplicates the look found in the iconography while ebony veneer with or without holly stringing is found on many surviving lutes.

Specifications: 11 ribs usually of curly maple. The bowl is approximately 30.5 cm wide, 14 cm deep and 47 cm to the neck joint.