6-course vihuela after historical models

Price is $3900 CAD, Oct. 10, 2008 3,324.10 USD

This instrument is brand new, the perfect vehicle for the interpretation of the large Spanish renaissance repertoire, especially the great early music of Milan, Mudarra and Narvaez.

The design is a blend of three actual extant instruments, as well as graphic influence in the placement of tiles and rose, from iconographic (historic picture) sources. The parquetry tiles are made from ebony, holly, pear and pernambuco, inlaid into the soudboard in typical "mudejar" decorative style. This decor is thought to imitate the reliquaries of the venerated housed in religious institutions in the Medieval period on the Iberian peninsula.

The vihuela is an excellent alternative to the lute for the Italian Renaissance music of Francesco, Spinaccino and Capirola. It is less prone to buzzes, right hand technical problems and tuning instability associated with the lute's octave stringing. The tenth fret is at the body joint, so it's quite a bit easier to play in high positions because of the longer neck. The instrument is lightly built, with low action and a wider neck than most lutes, for ease of play in the typical contrapuntal style of the "vihuelistas".

The strings are currently Savarez carbon fiber throughout, giving excellent intonation, tuning stability and durability.

The instrument body is made from figured maple, with a pear bridge, Spanish cedar neck, walnut head, plum pegs, and ebony fingerboard.

Features a semi-vaulted back, Port Orford cypress top, parquetry wood tile inlays in soundboard, end-block and head, three-layer sheepskin parchment rose, with a 63 cm string-length. It comes with a heavy-duty upholstered case, capable of withstanding the airline fragile-testing elephant.

For a complete photo essay about the construction and a sound sample visit www.earlymusicstudio.com or www.clivetitmuss.com. Mr. Titmuss has made excellent downloadable recordings of well-known music on the instrument available from the Early Music Studio website (above).

Easy shipping to any locale worldwide. Shipping to Canadian locations from around $100 - $150. Shipping by UPS to any US location in 5-7 business days, fully insured from around $100 to $275 USD, depending on location.

Only 1 left as of May 2008

For a sound sample of this vihuela, please listen to the Feature Download on the Home Page.

Contact us at info@earlymusicstudio.com