Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

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ernieman
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Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by ernieman » Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:28 pm

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. :D

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

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colburge
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by colburge » Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:16 pm

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

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ernieman
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by ernieman » Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:26 pm

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.

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colburge
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by colburge » Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:26 pm

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

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P Bill
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by P Bill » Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:43 pm

Welcome ernieman,

Beautiful and precise work.
"Were you drying your nails or waving me good bye?" Tom Waits

Bill

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ernieman
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by ernieman » Tue Jun 18, 2013 5:12 pm

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...

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needsmorecowbel
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by needsmorecowbel » Tue Jun 18, 2013 7:15 pm

that is awesome...

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Allen
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by Allen » Wed Jun 19, 2013 5:48 am

Welcome to the forum, and I'm sure that we're going to learn something from your participation. Lovely work.
Allen R. McFarlen
https://www.brguitars.com
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Cairns, Australia

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ozziebluesman
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by ozziebluesman » Wed Jun 19, 2013 6:46 am

Absolute magic woodwork skills.

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

Cheers

Alan
"Play to express, not to impress"

Alan Hamley

http://www.hamleyfineguitars.com/

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Nick
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by Nick » Wed Jun 19, 2013 7:09 am

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.
"Jesus Loves You."
Nice to hear in church but not in a Mexican prison.

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steve roberts
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by steve roberts » Wed Jun 19, 2013 8:08 am

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

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n~dl
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by n~dl » Wed Jun 19, 2013 10:18 am

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

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ernieman
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by ernieman » Wed Jun 19, 2013 2:07 pm

Thx to all!

EJ or Ernstjan

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kiwigeo
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Re: Hi there, from a Belgian luthier.

Post by kiwigeo » Sun Jun 23, 2013 7:51 am

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.
Martin

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