====== Renaissance Guitar ======
My Ren Guitar.

I am very happy to have moved from my modified baritone ukulele to this guitar.

{{chordophones:renaissance_guitar:myfirstrenguitarfront.jpg?400|}}{{chordophones:renaissance_guitar:myfirstrenguitarback.jpg?400|}}

  * luthier [[https://lutesocietyofamerica.org/members/44287185/|Joseph Mayes]]; it was a covid time project made out of wood on hand
  * acquired at [[https://timbrefolk.com/|Timbre Folk & Baroque]] (Berkeley, CA) 
  * slight arch to the back
  * 366mm body length
  * 65mm body depth
  * 544mm scale length
  * 143 upper bout
  * 175mm lower bout 
  * 7 tied-on frets, 5 wooden frets
  * inside back has label with Joseph's signature and the date 4/22
==== Additional details from Joseph's email on 9/12/2024====
  * back and sides are cherry with holly spacers
  * top is Engleman spruce
  * fingerboard is bubinga.
  *soundboard is sealed with egg-whites. It should feel naked. The fingerboard should never need any attention.
  * the Stringing is:

{{::pxl_20230831_215418577_2.jpg?100 |}}
| loc | pitch | Joseph's email | [[https://www.stringsbymail.com/| Strings by mail - Traverse City, MI]]  or [[https://www.bostoncatlines.com/| Boston Catlines, Somerville, MA]] |
^1st | a | pyramid 0.475 | [[https://www.stringsbymail.com/pyramid-rectified-nylon-0-475-019-single-string-8333.html|0.475]]|
^2nd | ee | 2x Savarez kf45 | [[https://www.stringsbymail.com/savarez-alliance-kf45-45-mm-0-0177-inches-single-string-3353.html|KF45]] |
^3rd | cc| 2x Savarez kf52 | [[https://www.stringsbymail.com/savarez-alliance-kf52-52-mm-0-0205-inches-single-string-3356.html|KF52]] |
^4th | gG | Pyramid 50 and Pyramid 906 | [[https://www.stringsbymail.com/pyramid-rectified-nylon-0-500-020-single-string-8335.html| 0.500]]  [[https://www.stringsbymail.com/pyramid-lute-silver-wound-906-0185-single-string-8356.html|906]]| 

===== Frets =====
{{ :chordophones:renaissance_guitar:themomentitbroke.png?600 |The moment my 2nd fret broke}}
Well, a fret (the 2nd) broke (2025-09-26). No complaints, the instrument is 3 years old, I have had it for 2 years. I play it outside quite a bit, so it is exposed to wide range of humidity. The problem is that the fret schedule((A list the luthier makes of what thickness of gut fret material goes at each fret location.)) Joseph includes with the instrument when it leaves his shop was no longer in the case when I purchased it. So, let the experimentation begin.

Armed with my digital caliper((An iGaging T23557 - IP54 6" EZ View Digital Caliper)) which claims an accuracy of ±0.001" (±0.00254mm) I measured the broken fret at the location near near the knot (so hopefully still close to it's original measurement). I also measured the 1st and the 3rd fret in situ as best I could (height & width).   

Joseph recommend two shops for frets. I went with [[https://www.bostoncatlines.com/|Boston Catlines]].  I emailed my measurements and then had a great conversation with Olav Chris Henriksen, the owner.  I also wanted to get frets to cover future replacement. He recommended a range of sizes to cover the first 5 frets((The first 5 see more use and so more wear)).  As I replace more frets over time I will fill in the chart below. Replacing my 2nd fret went smoothly. (I did it in the front seat of a car while a housemate was in at an appointment)

^ Fret\\ position ^ best\\ guess ((1st - 5th from caliper readings and discussion with Olav. 6th & 7th from caliper only as these were not discussed with Olav.)) ^ replaced \\ with ^ date \\ replaced |
^  1/^st^/  | 1.20mm |  | |
^  2/^nd^/  | 1.15mm ^ 1.15mm | 10/2025 |
^  3/^rd^/  | 1.10mm |   |
^  4/^th^/  | 1.05mm |   |
^  5/^th^/  |  1.00mm  |   |
^  6/^th^/  |  0.80mm |   |
^  7/^th^/  |  0.70mm |   |


==== So, what's it sound like? ====
Well, as of 8/2025 I am posting some practice videos on [[https://www.youtube.com/@truestring|youtube @truestring]].
Here is the first video posted //after// I got a better microphone: [[https://youtu.be/bkhbEzIa5f4|a Bransle Simple and its plus diminue]].

==== Interested in the Music?====
[[chordophones:renaissance_guitar_music|Renaissance Guitar Music]]

==== A few case ideas ====
I was looking at making a case. I have since made a fitted net that works nicely, but I may return to this at some point.
[[chordophones:renaissance_guitar:case_ideas|Case Ideas]]