Current models
Liuto forte in d (French baroque lute)
11-stringed:
Tuning: C D E F G A d f a d‘ f‘
13-stringed:
Tuning:A B flat C D E F G A d f a d‘ f‘
14-stringed:
Tuning: G A B flat C D E F G A d f a d‘ f‘
String-Length: 64, 65, 66 or 67.5 cm
- right-angled pegbox (with or without brackets for bass rider)
- angled pegbox with extension (double head - see photo)
- “theorboed” neck (two straight pegbox - see "Bach Laute")
- Fixed frets (tied-on if desired)
- Single stringing (double courses if desired)
Guitarists who would like to play Weiss, Bach, Reussner, Mouton or Gaultier in the original tuning can now take the plunge – since their plucking style no longer needs any radical change – with the D minor Liuto forte. Having once taken the trouble to learn the reading of tablature, they will be able to play baroque lute pieces (from tablature) and Spanish guitar pieces concurrently on guitar or E liuto forte (from staves), without fearing risky conflicts between memory and motor centres.
The comparatively big step, from the guitar or tenor lute tuning to the Liuto forte tuning in D minor with its basses, can be eased by at first using the transitional tuning of the Archiliuto in e.
The Liuto forte in d with right-angled pegbox and 11 or 13 strings is also available as an introductory instrument (Model A). Here we are responding to increasing demands for a Liuto forte at lower cost. Introductory models of course boast all the essential advantages of Liuto forte instruments. They receive the same care and handiwork as the model B and C classes. They merely differ externally in a less intricate rose pattern, a non-arched fingerboard and fingerboard markers of gold brass instead of precious stone. The lower price, however, is chiefly due to time saving in the subsequent fine tuning. This final sonic tuning is the main difference between an introductory instrument and the regular Liuto forte models.
