About the Liuto forte
Early History
- Lute and guitar – a dilemma?
- Lute and guitar in the 20th century
- Why the lute died out
- Original instruments – original sound?
- The stringing of historical lutes
- Rift between guitar and lute
- Distinctions in sound
- Methods of guitar and lute construction
- The guitar’s limited bass range
About the Liuto forte
- A Lute for the 21st century
- “Guitar-lute“ or “authentic“ lute
- Historical Liuti forti
- Single or double strings?
- Liuto forte sound
- Liuto forte stringing
- Fingertips or nails?
- The belly
- Fine tuning
- The rose
- Fixed or tied-on frets?
- Tuning pegs
- The nut
- The fingerboard
- The bridge
- Playing position
- Playing technique
- Prospects
The Rose
Each lute rose, depending on its pattern, allows a different transmission of air. The amount of opening influences the intrinsic tone of the air contained in the body. This must in its turn be put into a harmonious relationship with the intrinsic tone of the top. A slighter opening allows the tone of the air within the body to sink, while a greater opening raises it. The designs of the rose used for the Liuto forte are carefully chosen, aiming for a harmonious relation between the tone of the air and the specific tone of the soundboard. All of our models previously drew their rose designs solely from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Since 2007 an original rose of timeless beauty by Günter Mark has also been made available. See under "Models/New Rose".
