Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

[ernieman]

Hey Guys,

I just discovered this wonderful forum and want to share some of my builds with you.
I'm a former Belgian luthier, who moved to Australia (Cape Paterson - VIC) just last year September. I've been building and repairing guitars since graduating from the International Lutherie School of Antwerp in 1998. I've build a few lutes since then and done a lot of repairing. Here in Victoria I've started up a business again and have been working on some nice old instruments.
I've been a moderator on the Dutch Guitar Forum (http://www.gitaarnet.nl) at the "Homebuild" section, for quite a few years now.
I'm happy to share the things I (think I) know about building.

Here's a link to my FB page: http://www.facebook.com/vangeestguitars

And some pics of the last instrument I build in Belgium:
https://plus.google.com/photos/11832152 ... vN3Btuj7Og

ps. Admins, you can move this to the right section if it's not in the proper spot...

[colburge]

Wow! That Lute is awesome, you are very talented, do you have a sound clip? Welcome to the forum, I am sure you will be a source of valuable information in the future.


Cheers

Col

[ernieman]

Thx Col.

No unfortunately I don't have a soundclip. Maybe I should try and get one someday.
I'll try my best in sharing, but I don't have any infinite wisdom or anything. Just what I learned and what works best for me.

[colburge]

I still cant get over how awesome that thing is - do you know how long it took to make it? I know nothing about Lutes (or other instruments for that matter ), so could you explain a bit about them please, like the different sizes etc.

Cheers

Col

[P Bill]

Welcome ernieman,

Beautiful and precise work.

[ernieman]

Oh well, There's like one million thing to tell about it.
They say that "the" lute was introduced into Europe in the 15th century, coming from the Moorish Ud or al' Oud meaning "wood".
From there it spread over Europe and there are different branches in England, France, Italy, etc. It changed during the centuries from a few (6) strings, to many up to 13 choirs (double strings and basses) in the Baroque period.
Because they couldn't make "heavy" strings (as in weight), they had to lengthen the strings for making bass notes. This evolved in lengthening the neck (Theorbo).
There are lot's of sites which can give you a brief or longer explanation about the history of the lute if you like.

I don't remember how long this lute took me to build, but it was quite long I sometimes can be a bit of a procastinator Thus leading to extra long building times...

[needsmorecowbel]

that is awesome...

[Allen]

Welcome to the forum, and I'm sure that we're going to learn something from your participation. Lovely work.

[ozziebluesman]

Absolute magic woodwork skills.

Welcome to the forum and I look forward to your participation.

Cheers

Alan

[Nick]

Welcome to the forum Ernie(?) and what you have to share will be valuable info for all of us here on the forum. We have at least a couple of members here who have undertaken the tricky art of Lute construction and I'm sure they will chime into this thread.

[steve roberts]

Hi welcome to the forum.
Looking forward to more of your posts great work
Regards Steve

[n~dl]

I've never actually seen the bracing structure of a lute until now, interesting! Gorgeous stuff.

[ernieman]

Thx to all!

EJ or Ernstjan

[kiwigeo]

Nice looking lute Ernie.....or is it something bigger like an archlute (Im looking at the peghead).

The top is swiss or European spruce? I notice a pic of you working on the rosette with a scalpel. I dindt have much luck with scalpels when working on my Gieber and ended up making up a set of mini chisels from hackaw blades.

Anyway welcome to the forum and drop in for a visit if youre over Adelaide way.