Vihuela de Mano
The vihuela de mano is the most representative instrument of the Spanish Renaissance because it played during the XVI century a similar role than the lute elsewhere in Europe. Descendant of the medieval “viola de péñola" (played with a plectrum or pen) marked the origin of a family of instruments with certain common characteristics such as the eight-shaped body and the flat head stock. It should consist of 3 to 7 double string courses. For the 3 or 4 courses they were called guitars, the 5 and 6 ones were called guitar or vihuela indistinctively and the 7 courses ones were called vihuelas. The Spanish vihuelists bequeathed an important collection of very high quality musical works for that instrument.
Vihuela in G
I build this instrument based on the iconography of the era, such as that found in the paintings of the Cathedral of Barcelona, or the illustration on Luys Milan’s “El Maestro”, and the guitar/vihuela made by Belchior Días in 1581.
It is built in selected Cypress, Cherry, Walnut or Maple, with Quality European Spruce top. Fingerboard can be made in Pearwood, Boxwood, Olive or Paoferro with ebony framework. Renaissance model ebony pegs. 3-level rose of Pearwood and parchment. Ebony binding in top. French-polishing on the body but wax-finished on soundboard.
I also build a student model. It’s the same design but with simple woods and reduced decoration.
String length: 600 mm.
