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It is a good thing for a guitar maker to study historical instruments. We can learn a lot from the craftmanship of the historical makers. This instrument is called the Vihuela or Vihuela da Mana. It is known from the music piece "El Maestro" from Luis Milán in the year 1535. I made this instrument with advice and the construction plan from masterbuilder Sebastian Nunez. |
Top: European spruce Back and sides: Walnut Neck: Walnut Fingerboard: Ebony The body is guitar-shaped, and has a scale length of 59cm. The tuning is G D A F C G, and it has double strings. Read more about the vihuela. |
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This is a copy from a Voboam instrument in the Gemeentemuseum The Hague. I used the plan from Anton Wiegers. I've made this instrument without ivory for the white pieces; instead I used maple. It's easier to work with, and of course better for the elephants. |
The original instrument was also made with a lot of tortoiseshell. I used rosewood for these parts. Scale length: 69,4cm Tuning: e b g D a Read more about the baroque guitar. |
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I made this instrument for a folk musician. The scale is 63cm. I've chosen a fixed bridge construction, just like a steelstring guitar, and a double cross bracing in the back. It's also possible to make a bouzouki with a tailpiece and a floating bridge. In that case the top and bracing can be made lighter. This bouzouki has a great sustain and is very suitable for playing open tunings. |
Top: Cedar Back and sides: European Walnut Neck: Honduras mahogany Fingerboard: Ebony The bridge was made with a fishman matrix transducer under the bone. Tuning: G D A d |
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