iLuthier

Click on the images to go to the gallery.

Oliver Wadsworth is a British maker of lutes, archlutes, theorbos and renaissance and baroque guitars, and he has been making stringed instruments of one sort or another since 1985. His designs are usually based on existing instruments found in museums and private collections around the world. Iconographic sources are also used – especially for early and more obscure instruments where little physical evidence is available – though he’s happy to make copies of specific instruments..

In 1990 a growing interest in early plucked instruments led Oliver to the prestigious West Dean college, near Chichester, where he trained under the direction of Martin Haycock. The course at West Dean is a three year apprenticeship scheme in which the vast majority of course time is spent “at the bench” working on instruments commissioned by paying customers. This system puts great emphasis on the set-up and playability of instruments as well as quality of craftsmanship and is a sure fast way for makers to learn their craft in a professional environment. At West Dean emphasis is also placed on a knowledge of the history and evolution of the instruments concerned. The specialist techniques of repair and restoration are also covered in detail.

After graduating from West Dean, Wadsworth set up a workshop in Worcestershire making early plucked instruments, specialising in members of the lute family and early renaissance and baroque guitars.

Wadsworth Instruments will usually choose woods that are historically relevant for the particular instrument, however if the customer has a preference for particular woods to be used then this can be negotiated. The principal timbers used for bodies are ash (rippled), sycamore or maple (rippled), Canadian rock maple (bird’s eye), yew, plum, cherry (European or American), walnut (black) and cypress. In addition to these, ebony, rosewood and snakewood can be used if desired.

Fingerboards are made from ebony or plum and pegs are made from plum, maple, boxwood or ebony. All soundboards are European spruce, unless otherwise specified.

To check out Oliver Wadsworth’s lutes and guitars in the gallery, click here.

To find out more about him and his work as a lute, theorbo and guitar maker, click here.

PHILIPPINE EBONY BURL PEN BLANKS (PB265) US $30.99 (5 Bids) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:12:43 PST   | Watch this Item

Ebony blank double bass tailpieces for 5 strings 3/4 US $39.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 4:26:03 PST   | Watch this Item

2pcs Ebony blank Cello tailpieces 4/4 with tail gut US $29.99 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 6:17:07 PST   | Watch this Item

one Ebony blank bass tailpieces 3/4 with tail gut US $29.00 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 6:33:00 PST   | Watch this Item

5 Ebony blank double bass tailpieces 3/4 with tail gut US $140.00 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 6:36:59 PST   | Watch this Item

CueComponents Ebony Birdseye Maple Full Spliced Blanks US $149.44 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 9:21:17 PST   | Watch this Item

Cue Components Tulipwood / Ebony Full Spliced Blank US $172.44 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 9:21:17 PST   | Watch this Item

Cue Components Ebony / Tulipwood Full Spliced Blank US $172.44 Auction Ends: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 9:21:17 PST   | Watch this Item

NOTE: Click on the picture to see some of Oliver Wadsworth’s work.

A small collection of lute roses and medieval guitar rosettes by renown British instrument maker Oliver Wadsworth can be found in gallery section of this site. Each of the featured roses come from Oliver’s website which contains a wealth of information for lute makers.

Along with lutes, Wadsworth Instruments also make a range of archlutes, theorbos and renaissance and baroque guitars, and Oliver has been making stringed instruments of one sort or another since 1985. His designs are usually based on existing instruments found in museums and private collections around the world.

Iconographic sources are also used – especially for early and more obscure instruments where little physical evidence is available. Along with using historical references, Wadsworth Instruments is also happy to make copies of specific instruments for their clients.

We’ll be featuring some of Oliver’s amazing instrument making in the next day or so. In the meantime though, click here to check out Oliver Wadsworth’s lute roses and guitar rosettes which we have up in the gallery section. You’ll no doubt agree that the workmanship is superb.

If you want to find out more about Oliver Wadsworth and his work as a lute, theorbo and guitar maker, click here to go to his website.

ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAPLE ROSETTE WOOD INLAID 1p WR-103 US $15.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:29:11 PST   | Watch this Item

ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAPLE ROSETTE WOOD INLAID 1p WR101 US $15.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:35:50 PST   | Watch this Item

ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAPLE ROSETTE WOOD INLAID 1p WR104 US $15.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:38:06 PST   | Watch this Item

FIVE GUITAR ROSETTES / INLAY, SOUND HOLE #1-27-5 US $19.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:54:47 PST   | Watch this Item

FIVE GUITAR ROSETTES / INLAY, SOUND HOLE #1-27-10 US $19.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:55:50 PST   | Watch this Item

FIVE GUITAR ROSETTES / INLAY, SOUND HOLE #1-27-7 US $19.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:56:44 PST   | Watch this Item

ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAPLE ROSETTE WOOD INLAID 1p WR--101 US $15.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 20:29:20 PST   | Watch this Item

ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAPLE ROSETTE WOOD INLAID 1p WR--100 US $15.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 20:29:20 PST   | Watch this Item