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Archlutes

The archlute became established in the early 17th century as an organological solution associated with the demands of basso continuo, combining an expanded low register with the preservation of polyphonic clarity through the integration of a fretted neck and extended, unstopped bass courses. Its legitimation as a distinct instrument is directly linked to Alessandro Piccinini, who systematized its functions and principles in his 1623 treatise.

 

The model presented here is based on an archlute attributed to Matteo Sellas (Venice, c. 1630), reconstructed from the plan M. SELLAS, Matteo. Archlute, Venice 1630 (9), drawn by Renatus Lechner in 1980 and preserved at the Museo Civico Medievale, inventory no. 1748 (2 sheets).

Configurations of Archlutes Based on Matteo Sellas (1630/9)

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ARCHLUTE BASED ON MATTEO SELLAS 1630 (9) - Example 1

A reconstruction of the Archlute by Matteo Sellas 1630 (9) available in the collection of the Medieval Civic Museum in Bologna, Italy, from the plan drawn by Renatus Lechner in 1980. _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b- 136bad5cf58d_Dimensions and main features were kept as per the plan. However, we chose to reduce the number of tracks and use different woods in instrument construction.

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tuning:G

orders:14

Specifications:

 

  • String length of 64  / 133 cm;

  •  Box in Muirapiranga (Brosimum rubescens) and Imbúia (Ocotea porosa) with Maple fillets (Acer pseudoplatanus);

  • Cedar Neck (Cedrela odorata) laminated with Maple, Imbúia and Muirapiranga;

  • Fingerborad in Muirapiranga;

  • Spruce Top (Piceas Abies);

  • Bridge in Pear Wood (Pyrus communis) with Ebony blade (Diospyros ebenum);

  • Lower and upper peg box in Maple;

  • Pegs in Muirapiranga;

  • Gut frets;

  • Nylgut (Aquila) strings.

 

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References:

 

 

LUNDBERG, Robert. Historical Lute Construction. Tacoma, Wash.: Guild of American Luthiers, 2002.


M. SELLAS, Matteo.  Arquialaúde Venice 1630 (9). [designed by] Renatus Lechner, 1980. Bologna: Museo Civico Medievale. No. 1748. 2 sheets. 

Photo gallery

Intérprete: Roger Burnester

Archlute Based on Matteo Sellas (Venice, c. 1630) – Example 2
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Constructive characteristics and materials:

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String length: 64 / 133 cm;

Soundbox in maple (Acer pseudoplatanus);

Neck in pink cedar (Cedrela odorata) laminated with ebony (Diospyros crassiflora Hiern);

Fingerboard in ebony;

Soundboard in spruce (Picea abies);

Bridge in pearwood (Pyrus communis) with an ebony veneer (Diospyros ebenum);

Lower and upper pegboxes in maple;

Pegs in ebony and boxwood;

Gut frets;

Nylgut strings by Aquila Strings.

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