Building an Archlute: First Rib on the Mould

After completing the mould, the centre rib is attached to the neck-block, with luthier Clive Titmuss. We love to hear from you so please leave a comment! You might also enjoy;
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Thank you for watching.

[@bearshield7138]

Thank you

[@Greebstreebling]

I'm using Maxolon (U.K.) thin transparent plastic as rib templates. My Baroque lute mould is not a continous structure, otherwise I'd love to use that masking tape idea :) :) Thanks for sharing these videos, they're really helpful to understand the building process more clearly.

[@EarlyMusicStudio1]

I used plastic templates for a couple of years, but found that transfer was a problem, and that the flat shape does not necessarily convey or translate the deviation from the centre line for each rib. The more the cross section is a semi-circle, the idea of templates will work well, but when making multi-rib and flattened lutes of the early 1600 to 1700s, the templates become an impediment, and actually slow the work. I finally came up with tape as a way to abbreviate and simplify. Eventually I could fit a rib in about 20 to 30 minutes from a flat blank. It also allows for correction of the shape when getting to the last few ribs, always the most crucial stage.
As far as the moulds go, toast-rack moulds are fine form smaller and simpler lutes, but you can't beat a solid mould for it's re-creation of the whole space within the body. The TR mould has a problem with the base plate. Trying to make a part of the whole shape makes it nearly as complicated as the solid mould. Most professionals I know use solid moulds. I knew one guy who used a mould made like a Terry's Chocolate Orange, with little sections for each rib. It wasn't flattened, and it worked well, but very hard to make! He was a teacher, not a lute maker, and liked such problems.
c

[@twokool4skool129]

The masking trick idea is brilliant. Hope you don't mind if I steal that.

[@EarlyMusicStudio1]

Hi Mike, you are welcome to steal it, ha ha. Thanks for watching!