Baroquelute Johann Christian Hoffmann

Johann Christian Hoffmann, Leipzig 175. - 13 courses

original: Brüssel Musee instrumental

This lute model by Christian Hoffmann is a often copied model of this period. In comparison to renaissance lute models it has a deeper mould, the mould is deeper than the half width of the soundboard. Such a body in combination with other constructing features this model produces the the typical deep, dark and sometimes dry sound of the late baroque period. This model cannot be compared with the early models after Frei and Tieffenbrucker. Details of the instrument:

• Mould with 11 ribs made out of fine curly maple with black spacers
• Soundboard made out of fine european spruce, having the original rose, ebony inlay around the edge to give a good protection
• the neck is made out of lime wood which is then veneered with ebony or other wood on request, and on special request decorations are possible
• The fingerboard is made out of ebony ad here decorations are also possible. As it is the case at the original instrument the fingerboard is extremely curved. The special feature makes this instrument very comfortable to play.
• The string length is 71,5 cm
• The pegbox and the bass rider are made out of beech and are veneered with ebony
• For the pegs I use plum wood, a very good wood for this purpose or boxwood
• The mould is varnished with french polishing
• Neck, fingerboard and pegbox are oiled, the soundboard is covered with wax.