Hi,

Just joined the forum. This is my first post.

I have just bought an 11 string alto guitar. It was a very good price, and these so rarely come up for sale second hand, I was very pleased to find one.

I am very interested in baroque lute music and had really been looking for a 13 string.

I am wondering if it would be possible to get a luthier to add 2 bass strings to the 11 string. Im not talking about extending the length or witdth of the fretboard. Just 2 extra basses on some kind of extended peg box, like you see on a barouque lute.

It may be a crazy idea, but it would certainly be cheaper than commissioning a 13 string instrument, which is my only other option.

Any thoughts?

Great forum by the way.

Keith

Maybe something like this could work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aELUN08-ZyQ

Hello Keith,
In addition to two extra strings, you will find it convenient to have the nut remodeled to give the eighth string the same scale length as the first seven strings. The reason for this is that you will find that it is occasionally necessary to fret the eighth string in baroque arrangements. If this is not done one has to "jump octaves". Two extra string will make all the 13c baroque lute repertoire and the Bach lute suites available
Although not of great interest to many guitarists, if you wish to play the arch lute repertoire, you will need three extra extra strings.
James.

Hi Keith and welcome to the forum.
I think I would be very cautious about altering in any permanent way your Alto because, unless it is done with great skill and taste, it may effect it's re-sale value. As you pointed out, second hand Altos don't come up for sale that often and the traditional 11 string is a well known option for six stringers who want to explore the multi-string guitar.
I think Glen's link is an ingenious idea for converting a six string into a multi however that system would be difficult at the nut end on a conventional alto?
Can I ask if you are planning to play directly from lute tab and use D minor tuning on the 13 strings?
If so then you will need the two extra strings for that. If you are going to use the standard G minor tuning, then the range of your 11 strings is greater than the 13 course lute and in my experience much of the 13 course repertoire is playable on an 11 string alto.

Good luck.

Bill

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I will talk to a local luthier about the project. But it looks like I will just have to save up some money (or sell some guitars) to fund a 13 string.

I like the idea of tuning it like a baroque lute and reading straight from tablature. In reality though, im so familiar with standard guitar tuning I would probably still have it tuned in G.

The main reason I wanted the 13 string was to have a full octave of bass notes available. That just seems sensible to me. I really miss note having an f/f# or a really low e.

The 11 string is great, but it just feels incomplete.

Anyway, im still having trouble with my right hand finding the strings. Maybe I should stick with 11 for now.

Keith wrote:

QUOTE:
Thanks for the advice everyone.

I will talk to a local luthier about the project. But it looks like I will just have to save up some money (or sell some guitars) to fund a 13 string.

I like the idea of tuning it like a baroque lute and reading straight from tablature. In reality though, im so familiar with standard guitar tuning I would probably still have it tuned in G.

The main reason I wanted the 13 string was to have a full octave of bass notes available. That just seems sensible to me. I really miss note having an f/f# or a really low e.

The 11 string is great, but it just feels incomplete.

Anyway, im still having trouble with my right hand finding the strings. Maybe I should stick with 11 for now.

One thing to consider, while you may get the benefit of additional low open basses by going to 13 strings instead of 11, you may end up having some negative issues to deal with, as well. You will have more strings to sort out visually and mentally, and you will have more strings sympathetically ringing that you will have to control and damp. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh.

I even think this when I occasionally pick up my 6-string. In one way it's heaven only having six strings and not having so much to deal with. I love both though. Just realize that you get something and you give up something.