Building a Baroque Guitar | Chapter 1

First part in a series about the Baroque Guitar

[@The_IRL_Bard]

Fun fact, most people say this is the closest thing to the everyday guitar but there's an instrument that is much closer that barely nobody knows about. The vihuela is a purely Spanish instrument from the renaissance period that is extremely similar to the guitar as we know it today. See, the baroque guitar is a 5 course instrument whilst the Vihuela is a 6 course instrument just like the guitar. The baroque guitar, much like a theorbo, has a way of tuning that in Spain we call campanella that makes it easy to make fast scales and melodies without moving many fingers, even if cool, the guitar is not typically tuned with campanella in mind, rather it takes a similar approach to the renaissance lute, the vihuela has the same tuning as a renaissance lute which makes it only a half step away on the third string to be the same distance ratios as the guitar. The shape is also more round while the baroque guitar has a more elongated design. Sadly this instrument is only, and barely, known in Spain, which is sad because the vihuela has a beautiful and sweet sound perfect for solo playing and melodies, its sound is less metallic than a lute's and less rough than a baroque guitar's. Be sure to give it a search as its a beautiful instrument that sadly didn't get enough international fame as I think it should've.

[@The_IRL_Bard]

I really sent a text cluster monster there, hope its not too dense..

[@redbeardlutherie1173]

Thanks for the info! I am a classical guitarist and do know of the vihuela. I agree, it’s a beautiful instrument! I will most certainly make one some day. It has so much great repertoire!

[@therealzilch]

Agreed that the vihuela is a wonderful instrument. But you're mistaken if you think its tuning makes any difference in how fast you can play scales, compared to the baroque guitar. The only difference is that the third is placed one string (course) away from a tuning otherwise in fourths.

[@aflorymusic]

Love it! Can’t wait to see more!

[@javiermorales6678]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! I liked a lot.

[@redbeardlutherie1173]

Thank you, Javier!

[@cyanotunes]

Dying for that next episode. Nobody build them like this anymore

[@redbeardlutherie1173]

Thanks Josiah! It's coming up soon!

[@Gnomewoodworker]

@@redbeardlutherie1173 soon? shame on you for making us wait! lol yea I know life right? lol

[@redbeardlutherie1173]

@@Gnomewoodworker Hahah I've been slack! You will see a video tomorrow 😁

[@themedallostoryteller1105]

God! I'm so glad I found your channel I love this type of guitars Will you build a Stauffer guitar someday?

[@redbeardlutherie1173]

Thank you so much! I absolutely will build a Stauffer inspired guitar someday. There are so many great guitars from the 19th century to choose from!

[@themedallostoryteller1105]

@@redbeardlutherie1173 Yeah! I don’t own one but they’re my favorite, absolutely gorgeous guitar I’ll be looking forward for your next videos

[@bearshield7138]

This work was exquisite. Where would I find out more about the Verbum dynasty of luthiers. I will be back

[@redbeardlutherie1173]

The Dutch Luthier has a a blog about them on their website :)

[@bearshield7138]

@@redbeardlutherie1173 Thank you

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

Luthiers use the same tools as carpenter.

[@nelliebausch2517]

2:24 snackin on some vegemite in the workshop hey!

[@redbeardlutherie1173]

The jars make good screw containers 😂

[@Brymer3440]

Hello sir. I’m looking forward to watching this series. I love the sound the guitars make and have been listening to some of the pieces written for them for a couple years now. Im really interested in getting one and learning how to play(I already play classical) . How much would one of the cheaper baroque guitars cost on average? I’m relatively baroque… ha, get it???😂I’ve looked online a little and couldn’t find anything below $800-$900 at a quick glance. Is that the price I should expect for lower end baroque guitars on average? Any recommendations on a good online vendor as well as a specific brand? I know they’re quite a niche instrument but I wish more music stores sold them. I’ve never even seen one in person actually

[@Brymer3440]

Also, are there any reading materials you’d suggest getting if I do purchase one? (Song books, instruction books, etc?)

[@redbeardlutherie1173]

Thank you for watching! Honestly I don’t have much of an idea of the cost of factory made baroque guitars. I think the Early Music Shop (based in the UK) has a budget line of historical instruments, but I doubt they would be under $800. It would be worth checking out their website anyway 😁 There are loads of manuscripts freely available on the internet. If you search for baroque guitar manuscripts, you will find loads of results. Imslp is a great resource All the best!

[@OllavoTozzi]

I'm planning to build a baroque guitar as well! What heights the braces did you use for the braces?

[@redbeardlutherie1173]

Awesome! I believe it was approximately 6mm on the top and 12mm on the back