A substitute "Baroque guitar" for less than $200

[Glenn Godsey]

Hello friends. I have had a baroque lute for many years and lately I have been playing "Baroque Uke". But there is no way that I can afford a good baroque guitar. So, I have been looking around, and here is what I have discovered for pauper aspiring early guitar beginners.

First, a review of a decent sounding and decent playing 1/4 guitar:
Review of Strunal 1/4 guitar:
http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/forum19/7144.html

Second, a place to this guitar for less than $200 USD:
Strunal solid cedar top 1/4 guitar:
https://meantone.com/Shop/SolidTopGuitars.shtml

Third, a way to convert the 1/4 guitar to a pseudo baroque guitar:
Converting 1/4 guitar to baroque
http://www.ezfolk.com/forums/forum19/7144.html

I haven't done any of this yet, but it seems like a good possibility for we poor folks.

Glenn Godsey

[Harry Jess]

Glenn, if you go to Photos, page 7, the two first pictures there show how I solved this!
Best wishes
Harry

[Jamie Holding]

It's a nice idea but doesn't it have only 4 courses? I'm confused how one would add the extra string(s)...

[Glenn Godsey]

I would end up with four single strings plus one double course. Actually, it would be like a five string uke, but the fourth course would be an octave double, giving both re-entrant and "low G" sounds...plus an extra bass string.

Not ideal, but a very cheap beginning or a cheap five string uke.

Oops, I gave the wrong reference for the conversion. It should be:
http://www.classicalguitar.ws/baroque.shtml

scroll down to the drawings at the bottom.

Glenn

[Martin McDowell]

Make the whole instrument yourself! I think if you hanker after a baroque guitar then this sort of conversion will prove disappointing and you'll still be hankering after a baroque guitar but with $200 sent in the wrong direction. Now a 5 string uke sounds like an interesting proposition... or even a 'canjo' construction....

[Jamie Holding]

Ah I see now, the missing link really confused me! ;)

The problem is that the modern guitar just doesn't have the same resonance or tone (even when tuned to the same). I've tried arranging some baroque guitar music for my classical and often the music has fit well on it but the sound is so different that no strumming ever works well in my opinion. (by the way, would that be a useful thing for me to do on a larger scale!?)

However, I've tried doing baroque guitar strumming techniques on my renaissance lute with wonderful results. The sound is a lot more concincing and 'baroque guitar' like, especially since you can get good sounding percussion on the wood whereas on the modern classical I've never managed to. Maybe one could make a little (temporary) alteration to a lute to for a baroque guitar and then switch between every six months or so? Or if one has two lutes.......


Jamie

[Glenn Godsey]

Yes, I do have two lutes; an eleven course baroque lute and a six course renaissance lute. I didn't even think of that ! Senility.

But I still think the conversion to a five string uke might be fun since it is so inexpensive,

Glenn

[Martin McDowell]

No but no I meant a ukelele constructed with 5 strings, do they exist? Why not? I think we should start making them! ... I don't think converting a 1/4 size guitar would lead to a pleasant ukelele either.... far too much body which would then deprived of the bass strings which I'd imagine the treble end would normally be relying on for sympathetic response when attached to such a body is it not? ... as to Jamie's suggestion - restringing a 6course lute in baroque guitar style sounds like a much better course of action to take in the meanwhile before you find the proper instrument.

[Juan Pablo Pira]

If you have the skills, do it yourself. If you have enough money go to a good luthier. However, if you cannot make the instrument, there are people for whom US$250.00 would be a fair deal. Have you checked with a traditional "guitarrero" somewhere in a Latin American village? I payed less than US$250.00 for my transition guitar (the one I use in my picture). And that is more than this guy usually charges for his handmade guitars. You have to guide them through the process because they are not used to building baroque guitars, but in the end you can have an affordable and usable instrument.

[Frei]

I have been thinking about doing kits because tools are sooo expensive to get for guitar building. I'll try to come up with a "kit" price as I have access to thickness sander, mold for bending etc. Jointing, mold building, peg reaming,bending, every step is about $120.00 average in tools I am getting better results on my jointing from tuning my plane. You have to be into woodworking and tools to build your own. This stuff is not easy, and mistakes often accompany your 'learning curve' EVERY step of the way, when you don't have proper instruction.

[Glenn Godsey]

Juan Pablo, there is not much chance of me finding a "guitarrero" and going through that process. How about if I send you $400 and you ask your "guitarrero" to make another one exactly like yours?

[Juan Pablo Pira]

It would be good if you could see some of their work. Let me see if I can get you some pictures.

[Glenn Godsey]

Pictures would be great, Juan Pablo!