1970 Götz Model 1577 Lute Guitar

Overview: German-made "lute guitars" or "lute-shaped guitars" or "6-string lutes" are something that have been made in that country since the middle of the 1800s (give or take), but this one is from 1970 and hails from West Germany (at the time). It's extremely lightweight (like a lute), has excellent craftsmanship and a nice build quality, and sounds superb.

Tone: It's full, warm, sweet, and balanced with good projection.

Feel: The scalloped fretboard is immediately easy to play (especially due to the nylon strings) and the neck has a comfortable, medium D-shape to it with a "flat" board and narrower (for a "classical") nut width of 1 3/4" -- standard for older Northern European classical/folk guitars but not common on modern classical instruments. So, basically, it plays nice and quick!

Interesting features: It has an antique-style, scalloped fretboard, very-finely-detailed rosette, and still has 5 of its 6 original friction pegs. If one were trying to "fake it" at a Renaissance faire, this would be a pretty great option as it has all of the looks down pat. It also shows all manner of honest wear and tear and so it has a nice "authenticity factor" as well.

Repairs included: Ancel gave this a level/dress of the frets, some modification to the bridge and saddle, some minor hairline crack repairs, some good work fixing/improving the scalloping on the fretboard, and setup work. It's playing spot-on and sounds gorgeous and full.

• Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz
• Scale length: 24 1/2"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium D
• Board radius: flat
• Body width: 14"
• Body depth: ~5"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid maple
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: unsure
• Fretboard: unsure
• Neck wood: maple
• Action height at 9th fret: 3/32” overall (quick, easy)
• String gauges: mediun tension nylon
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: flush/scalloped board

Condition notes: It has some structural cracks that were previously repaired -- a small one at the back of the heel and then the headstock's decorative scroll/flower knob was knocked-off and reglued at some point. There are also a variety of small hairline cracks that are repaired here and there in the bowlback and its ribs. The bridge saddle slot had to be widened a bit for proper compensation along with a new bone saddle and the front of the bridge needed a bit of shaving -- both of which have been done. There's light nicks, scratching, dings, etc. throughout the finish but overall it looks good at a glance. The four "extension" wood frets are all set lower than the main-board frets and so those positions don't play as well as the rest of the neck but are accessible.

It comes with: Sorry, no case or gigbag.

Consignor tag: WRLD