Lute building techniques

Myrtle for Lute backs

Umbellularia californica is a large hardwood tree native to the Pacific Northwest, commonly known as Myrtle, California Bay Laurel, Pepperwood, ...

Reinforcing lute ribs

Paper strips are glued to each rib joint as reinforcement. This is an easy process. First cut paper strips of ...

Assembling lute ribs

Since the ribs have been bent to the proper shape and edges trimmed to the correct angles, the lute back ...

Making Lute Ribs

The bending tool I use is simply a piece of 1 1/4" galvanized pipe connected to an inexpensive heat gun ...