Another Non-Guitar

[Hans Mattes]

As long as we're showing non-guitars, here's my latest build -- a guitar-influenced lute (or, if you prefer, a lute-like guitar). It was a straightforward build once I settled on a guitar-style back, but I don't think I'll build another -- it's hard to play as it keeps slipping off my lap unless I hold it at an angle that makes fretting difficult.

[Dave Bagwill]

Some very nice detail there, Hans. I like it. I can that playing it might be a challenge.

[Herman]

Nice Hans, nice.
One piece headstock?
Herman

[Hans Mattes]

Dave, Herman: Thanks for the comments. No, it's not a one piece headstock, but a more conventional ⅛" (+/-) cocobolo over mahogany. The ability to carve both pieces to the same design is, as almost everything I do, not attributable to skill. In this case it's attributable to the consistent performance of my CNC router. I've found the CNC router to be a remarkably versatile and broadly useful tool in lutherie. On the lute I used it for the shaping the headstock (and though it's not clear in the photo, that included carving a decorative relief in area between the tuners), for carving a bas-relief pattern in the tailstock, for creating the bridge, for cutting the soundhole and the recess for the minimal rosette, for cutting an accurate mortice in the headblock, for slotting the fretboard, and even for slotting the nut. As with all tools, their's a learning process needed, but I've found it very worthwhile and encourage others to consider the option.

[John Parchem]

Very nice! Are you tuning it like a guitar?

[Hans Mattes]

Yes, I am tuning like a guitar -- E, A, D, G, B, E. (I'm not accomplished enough to play in any other tuning.) Initially, I strung it with Ernie Ball "Earthwood - Silk & Steel Extra-Soft," but I felt the tone was too bright for the instrument, so I switched to D'Addario EJ32 "Folk Nylon - Ball End." To my ear it now has a sound that seems in keeping with its appearance. The few people who've heard me play it seem to agree. Like all the guitars I've built in the last two years, it doesn't depend on the soundboard for rigidity, so the soundboard bracing is quite light, allowing the switch to nylon without sounding "overbuilt."