Gamut Instruments - 58cm Venere-Model Renaissance Lute

Venere-Model 58cm Renaissance Lute

This instrument is modeled on an instrument made by Venere in 1596 in Bolonga, Italy, now in the Vienna museum, number C64. The original instrument has a string length of 64cm. I have scaled the design down to 58cm for this reconstruction to make it more adaptable to modern playing techniques and pitch. The adjusted body outline has been compared to another Venere lute in the Bolonga collection that has a string length of 58cm to insure a consistent instrument style.

The bowl is made up of eleven ribs and has a flattened profile. That is, it is wider than it is deep. This shallow profile brings the plane of the strings closer to the body, making the instrument easier to play. The thinner sound chamber also gives the instrument a quicker, more projective tone than one with a fuller, half-round profile. The tone of this instrument is very full and powerful with a sustained ring.

Wendelio Venere-Model Renaissance Lute Specifications:

    • 6-, 7-, and 8-course

    • 58cm string length

    • Overall length - 27"

    • Body length - 17"

    • Body Width - 12"

    • Body depth - 5 1/2"

    • String spacing between courses at bridge (8-course) 10.1mm

    • Spacing between strings in course at bridge (8-course) 4.9mm

    • String spacing between courses at nut (8-course) 5.7mm

    • Spacing between strings in course at nut (8-course) 3.1mm

    • Back: Eleven figured ribs

    • Neck: Cherry wood

    • Head: Cherry wood

    • Front: "AA" Engelmann spruce

    • Fingerboard: Cherry with rosewood edges and points

    • Nut: Bone