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I asked luthier Rohan Lowe Rohan Lowe Fine Guitars – Information, photos and audio/video to work on this guitar with me. I wanted a 13-string Dm-tuned guitar (for Weiss and other baroque-lute music) which is light in weight, easy to play, but is steeped in 18th and 19th-century guitars. I didn't want an exact copy of the theorboed baroque guitars, typified by these beauties:
...so asked for something similar, but updated to include features of my much-loved Roudhloff Brothers' X-braced guitar from c.1850. I neglected to mention the following in the video below: the shorter 10th fret neck results in a lower, more baroque bridge position, and the shorter fingerboard allowed the sound hole to be moved up, giving the Roudhloff body shape a very different look.
I also wanted the guitar to be more lute-like in sound than other 13-string guitars I've heard - just my preference after 30+ years of lute playing - but without all the hassles of having a large 13c baroque lute: awkward shape for holding, large stretches, difficult RH accuracy, frets breaking, tuning issues, expense of gut strings (I insist on all-gut for lutes), etc.
I can say that I am absolutely delighted with the result. The strings are Savarez KF harp strings - no metal involved - which have a short sustain, an attribute I was seeking, but the first two strings are Pyramid rectified nylon. The string length of the fretted 8 strings is 63cm, much shorter than a large 13c lute - keep in mind the whole point of this is to make life easier for me over the next decade (by which time I'll be 74!) or more.
It won't satisfy everyone's expectation for a 13-string 'baroque' guitar, but I can say that I've hardly put it down since getting it a week ago. Haven't so far tried Autumn Leaves...or Giant Steps!
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09-04-2023 04:44 AM
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Another enlightening and inspiring post from you, a BIG thank you ! I wonder how you manage to DAMPEN all these sympathetic resonances when playing in certain keys - is it all done with the palm of you right hand or do you let them ring out all the time ?
A good miking would certainly bring out the lows some more since this small body surely is quite weak in the lower registers ..... It does sound very pretty non-the-less !
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The basses are fine for the purpose. Many 13-string and harp-guitar players have big booming basses, which really don't serve this music well. After 30 years of lute playing, I have a good idea of what I want.
As for damping, very little needs to be done. Had I used wound strings, like all the other players I've seen, I would need to spend double the amount of technique just stopping harmonic clashes in the bass. This way is much easier, and more lute-like.
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Good guitars for Metheny's inspiration.
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Stunning guitar Rob. Without the info I would never have imagined the the thought behind the technical construction of the instrument. Both Mrs 0zoro and I thought your playing was beautiful.
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Thanks to you and your wife!
Here's another already! French baroque this time.
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That's a truly enchanting tune. Great playing and tone. Really captivating , this may be something I need to look into. Thank you for posting this. Bob
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My pleasure, Bob. Any questions, just ask.
Originally Posted by Top of the Arch!
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Mind if I pm you?
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No problem. I’m off to bed now, though!
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Rob, count me as a big fan of your music. I love to hear you play and greatly enjoy hearing about your guitar projects. That is a stunning instrument, and the sound is surprisingly beautiful. What an inspiration! Thanks for sharing with us!
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Rob,
You totally AMAZE me buddy.
While I struggle with using 5 of 6 strings you basically play 13!!
Absolutely incredible.
A credit to the forum you are buddy!
And I LOVE hearing you talk about it too!
Joe D
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Thanks for the great post Rob. I always enjoy your playing, and I learned a bit about these older instruments from your introduction. Your new instrument is lovely.
I do have a question: 'theorboed baroque guitars'. I've seen you play an instrument called a theorbo, and I'm curious what it might mean to theorbo a guitar. Is it the addition of a second peg-box to carry the the added long strings? Or does it just mean the addition of the extra strings by any means necessary? Is a harp guitar a theorboed guitar?
Any and all details are appreciated!
BTW: I imagine a lot of it is your technique, but I think this little axe sounds very balanced across the range and sounds perfect for these pieces. I like the quick decay of the bass strings. Something that us flat-wound archtop players can appreciate.
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Thanks, guys. It’s comforting to know my little efforts are appreciated here, a forum I’ve been a member of longer than any other.
ccroft - most use the term to denote the use of a second pegbox for the bass strings, so I wouldn’t include harp guitars. But terms get muddled, especially on the internet, so it could include what are generally thought of as harp guitars.
Joe D - I must say I’ve never seen you struggle on a guitar!
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I didn't realise untill today that I needed a guitar I can play in bed...
Beautiful instrument & playing...as ever.
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Ha, indeed. I'm not sure how practical that would be with this instrument, though. Maybe get a ukulele instead!
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Lovely, Rob, as always
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Thank you!
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This (and you Rob) is so unique and wonderful.
So, with this Dm tuning, you're reading from tablature, right ?
That's what i understood, at least. I imagine the trouble reading classical 5 lines score ...
Really enjoyable videos, thank you.Last edited by xuoham; 09-11-2023 at 02:37 AM. Reason: typos
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Thanks, xuoham!
Yes, I can read straight from the original lute tablatures without changing a note. That includes the entire baroque-era music from France, Germany and elsewhere. I’ll never run out of repertoire.
I’ve even arranged my own Blues for Jim Hall, which sounds ‘interesting’ on it
though I doubt I’ll ever seriously use it for jazz. Life’s hard enough already!
Glad you like it!
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