LUTE CONSTRUCTION SLIDE SHOW
Thank you for visiting.
My workshop is in north Wiltshire, England. In the 39th year of my career, I find my time divided into various segments.
MAKING: I specialise in late Renaissance lutes, but I also make guitars and other instruments. All my instruments are custom made and I am particularly pleased with collaborations with players who have special requirements, such as tone, decoration, playing technique or RSI.
On the right, a slide show of a lute being constructed in my workshop. The music is played on lutes made by myself. The first piece is modern, 1998, and a portion 'Crux Catalyst' by Lamb and Keane is heard. Only one lute is playing, the wild sounds are down to computer wizardry and the mixing desk. The latter two pieces are played on the lute being constructed in this slide show. The second is 'The Right Honourable Ferdinando, Earl of Derby, His Galliard' by John Dowland followed by a duet 'The Flatt Pavanne' by John Johnson.
RESTORATIONS: I have done restorations on many old instruments. Guitars by Louis Panormo have become a speciality and I am currently working on my ninth. I have restored several 18th century English guittars (a type of cittern) and have one of them under restoration at the moment.
REPAIRS: I do repairs for local musicians. Many classical, steel string and electric guitars pass through the workshop. I enjoy knowing the local musicians and and often see my repairs being played live. Of course, I also repair lutes.
CONSERVATION: I have always been aware that musical instrument makers use materials from rare and endangered species. I avoid these and have sought out local and ecological supplies wherever possible. My solutions to some of these problems are discussed on the website.
MIM: Having taught musical instrument making in adult education and university for 20 years, I retain a strong interest in helping novice luthiers. I sell plans for guitars, lutes and other instruments. I can supply hide glue and gut fret. I and am always available for questions about musical instrument making. A portion of the website named "Musical Instrument Making Information" is dedicated to amateur musical instrument makers.
