Builder's Notes — supplemental handout by Peter Forrester.Part of: Wood and Wire — a lecture by Peter Forrester.
Last updated
Sunday, April 02, 2023.
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Originally published in Lute News: The Lute Society Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Peter Forrester and The Lute Society. On-line edition corrected and amended by Andrew Hartig per Peter Forrester, February, 2006.
Some suggested dimensions for builders. Based upon instruments by: Anon, Brussels; Gasparo da Salo, Oxford; Virchi, Paris; Tilman, Berlin; Salvatori, Paris; Augustinus, V&A; Campi, R.C.M.; Anon ("Amati"), Florence; Plebanus, Paris; Anon, Vienna; Anon, private collection.
Dimensions in mm unless otherwise noted.
| Constructed 43-45 cm sl. | Carved 43 or 61 cm sl. | Imitation carved 61/62 cm sl. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| belly thickness | 2.75+ at center 1.5 - 2.0 at sides |
3.5+ at center 2.0 at sides |
3.5+ at center 2.0 at sides |
|
| sides thickness | 1.5 - 1.8 | 5 - 6 , thicker on short grain | 4 | |
| back thickness | 2.5, up to 3.5 at centre | 5+ at centre, 2 at gutter | 4 at centre, 3 at edges | |
| main bar depth, thickness |
12 - 14 (range 8 - 14 ) | 15 , 5 - 6 |
21 | 18 , 5 - 6 |
| rise at centre of bar | 5 - 6 | 5 | 10 | 9 |
| rise over exterior of back | 5 | 4 - 5 | 6 - 8 | 6 - 8 |
| approx. bridge - main bar | 20 (5 on Brussels 1524) | 28 | 30+ | 30 |
| belly width | 225-238 (Brussels) | 248 | 300+ | 300+ |
| overall depth of body: max. min. |
48 - 52 21 - 23 |
45 - 50 30 - 35 |
c 65 30+ |
65 c 33 |
| fingerboard width: at nut at 12th fret |
37 - 38 (4 course) 39-40 |
45+ 49+ |
46 50 |
46 50 |
| string sizes | e' .23 iron d' .23 brass g' .16 iron or steel g .010" low twist brass a' .14 iron or steel a .009" low twist brass b .27 brass |
e' .23 brass d' .25 g .36 b .30 c' .27 a .33 |
a .27 brass g .30 c .46 e .38 f .33 d .40 |
a .25 brass g .27 (c' .21 iron) c .42 or .011" low twist brass e .33 f .30 d .36 |
How to cite this page: Forrester, Peter. "Builder's Notes." Renovata Cythara: The Renaissance Cittern Site. Ed. Andrew Hartig. 02 April 2023. 22 October 2024. <http://www.cittern.theaterofmusic.com/articles/builders_notes.html>.