restoring a lute guitar
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A lute guitar was commonly made in Germany around 1850. The instrument has a regular six-stringed guitar setup on a lute bowl
The soundboard had numerous cracks and the frets were completely worn and unplayable.
The delicatetly pierced soundhole rosette had numerous cracks as well.
The discoloration along some of the cracks reveal previous repairs. It's a reminder that it is best to avoid overworking the surface which has a delicate patina that is best preserved.
The wooden frets on the soundboard are interesting.
After cutting away the rosette I'm able to access the interior to install rare earth magnets I use to align the plates as the cracks are glued.
In addition to the magnets I use clamping cauls to assist in keeping the soundboard plates level.
The curved bowl back prevents me from using clamps so I had to devise another way of pressing down on the soundboard using a strap clamp and blocks of wood.
Fortunately I had clamps long enough to reach a loos brace that need to be glued.
The bar frets are extremely worn but can be saved.
I this rod of brass beveled at the end makes a perfect tool to remove the frets that too low to be gripped and pulled out.
Gently tapping the wedge below the fret lifts it it up.
Now the fret can be pulled out.
A thin strip of purfling material is used to shim the bass of the fret slot.
It has to fit precisely without twisting.
Now its glue into the slot along with the fret. I am now able to file the divots away on the raised frets.
The rosette was repaired and the soundhole prepared to glue the rosette back in place.
Repairs are almost invisible and there is no evidence of the rosette having ever been removed.
The beautiful but awkward headstock is strung with lute strings.
The saddle has divots that need to be removed.
The divots are filed away and the metal crowned and polished.
The bridge pins are fitted and the strings installed.
This survivor of an earlier century is once again a usable and inspiring musical instrument.