During the Renaissance, the guitar may well have been used throughout Europe as it frequently is today.

The renaissance guitar was a four-coursed instrument (although five-coursed guitars existed); the first was single or double and the other three double. Having only four courses its unique sound and style are a result of using so few of them.

Although no historical four-course instruments have survived, it is clear that their dimensions were fairly small, not only because the pictorial sources, but also in the music written for it, some of which requires great stretches of the left hand fingers, extremely difficult to achieve on a larger instrument.

This instrument used gut strings and moveable frets. The tuning was not as standardized as lute tuning was at that time. Usually, the thicker basses were matched with thinner octave strings in order to avoid too dull a sound.

[more about the Renaissance Guitar]

	The Guitar Player (detail) Johannes Vermeer

RWC Renaissance Guitar
Based on late 16th century iconography the RWC Renaissance guitar is typical of many early guitars in having only four courses.

The instrument has a five ribbed English sycamore and cherry back, a Swiss pine table, rosewood pegs and fittings and an intricately carved parchment and cherry rose.

Gut frets tied round the neck allow fine adjustment of the scale to suit the player.

The guitar is strung with nylon and over wound nylon stringing and tuned a'a', e'e', c'c', gg.

Each instrument is entirely hand built to special order by in house craftsmen in our own workshops in Toledo (Spain) and comes with 12 months warranty.

	RWC Renaissance Guitar

Renaissance Guitar Kit
The same instrument is offered in kit form for home assembly.

Everything you need is provided in the kit. First and foremost is a five ribbed English sycamore and cherry back jointed and sanded to thickness, a Swiss pine table, rosewood pegs and fittings.

Learn the secrets of carving a rose in parchment and cherry, of the special knot used to tie the frets round the neck.

The construction of the guitar is based around the wooden mould supplied with every kit guaranteeing success for the builder.

The neck is profiled ready for final shaping

The price includes the license to build one instrument for private use.

Full instructions in a clear and concise manner with colour photographs and a full scale drawing ensure success even for the first time builder.

All the kits Include free access to our customer 'Helpline' should you need any advice on construction, setting-up or playing.

	Finished and details RWC Renaissance Guitar

Renaissance Guitar Plan
You can make the same instrument from scratch, following detailed step-by-step instructions through the construction process in a clear and concise manner.

A fully dimensioned plan and a set of templates illustrates each stage.

The price includes the license to build one instrument for private use.

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