Building archlute.

[Sergy]

Hi all,
2 - 3 months ago I have begun the interesting project - building archlute.
It not the simple instrument, some stages of work is very fiddly...
Some pics for ANZLF, probably will interesting...
So, archlute progress:

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Original archlute by Mateo Sellas, 16 c.

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Cristoforo Choc, Venice, Italy, about 1650
(Cristoforo was one of the best pupils of M.Sellas)

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[Sergy]

[kiwigeo]

Nice work Sergy. Im looking forward to seeing this instrument finished..it's going to be magnificent.

For those of you not familiar with the archlute....think lute on steroids.

[Nick]

Excellent stuff Sergy Be really interested to watch this one come together as a lute is a 'must do' on my bucket list (I have the plans e.t.c for a Baroque lute, just not the construction time as yet ).

[auscab]

Hi Sergy, that is a most impressive thing to be building,the day you start to put a finish on that back will be a very rewarding one.
It must be that you only fret the first six pair of strings, are they the courses ? and the rest are played open , is that right ?

[charangohabsburg]

Hi Sergy, that looks very demanding, just the right stuff for you!

I like the picture with the tip of the mould cut off.

[kiwigeo]

I like the picture with the tip of the mould cut off.

Me too......it reminds me how much I'd love to saw off Julia Guillard's nose

[Sergy]

Thanks for kind comments

It must be that you only fret the first six pair of strings, are they the courses ? and the rest are played open , is that right ?

On a photo we see 6 strings for frets, other free.
But also it is possible for 8 pair of strings, + 6 bass strings free.
These are preferences of the players.
Also there is a version with single basses, apparently, is more suitable..

I have the plans e.t.c for a Baroque lute, just not the construction time as yet .

The excellent plans, it is necessary to start! For this purpose there should not be reasons for time

[Sergy]

Continuation -

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[Allen]

Should be no excuse for space either. Looks like you are building in an unused bedroom?

I'm most impressed with how these instruments go together.

[Kim]

Very impressive work Sergy,

Thank you for taking the time to document this build for us it will be really interesting to watch and see how this develops.

Cheers

Kim

[Matt Bach]

Amazing.

Even your shavings arrange themselves into neat piles!

[Sergy]

Looks like you are building in an unused bedroom?

No, it not a bedroom.
It's my new workshop, there I do the basic work. For dirty work I have other room (shed?)

Very impressive work Sergy,

Thank you for taking the time to document this build for us it will be really interesting to watch and see how this develops.

Cheers

Kim

Kim, I think that at first I should build a regular or medieval lute.
The archlute, for the first building is much more difficult than a lute...
For some aspects I consulted from lutemaker from Cincinnati, and also have asked some questions to Martin.

[Sergy]

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[rocket]

Lovely work Sergy,,, just when you think,, gee, i've done some really nice work here with this little guitar thingy i'm building, and pumping up the old self esteem levels to the max,,, old Sergy comes along with this and brings ya back down to earth , sort of makes you feel inadequate!!! Well done mate, certainly going to follow this thresd.
Cheers,,,
Rod.

[Allen]

Yes indeed, this is what Lutherie is all about. I respect a fellow that dives into the deep end and challenges himself. This is also on my "must watch list".

Hope you get to make it up to Cairns Sergy on your trip to Oz. Will have lots to talk about.

[kiwigeo]

<===== out-luted by Sergy

[Sergy]

Counter cap -

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Counter cap gluing -

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[Allen]

Why do all the seams get taped up again after scraping? Do they have a tendency to come apart until the inside has had it's cloth or paper reinforcements?

[Sergy]

I glued inside strips, then cleared a scraper the dried up glue.
But masking tape should be used earlier, for the previous stage (pic #101) ...
Lundberg also about it writes.

[Sergy]

Continuation -

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[kiwigeo]

Sergy what wood is the neck core? I used lime on my lute.

[Sergy]

For neck - maple (no figured wood), ribs - medium figured maple + mahogany ribs,
for soundboard - Engelmann spruce ( 2A ).

[Sergy]

Neck and bassneck processing -

[Sergy]

Here the peg boxes are being made up. The pegbox and neck shaft centrelines dont line up but this is intentional (see drawings).

(Note: comments added by Mod)