Rob MacKillop’s Guitar-Lutes
In a departure from my usual classical and romantic period guitars, in the spring of 2023 Edinburgh based lutenist and guitarist, Rob MacKillop, approached me with a concept he had for a 13-string baroque guitar-lute, and this was followed by a 10 string renaissance one later that year. I have made a dedicated page for each instrument – please click on the images above to see more photographs and information on the design and making process.
Rob MacKillop and I met late in late 2022 when he visited me to deliver his D and A Roudhloff Melophonic guitar for repair. I wanted to copy the instrument, so we agreed that I would do the necessary work in exchange for keeping the guitar a while. During his visit he tried several guitars that I happened to have around at the time. In January 2023, when the work was completed, I returned the Roudhloff and also lent him my 2013 Model 12 guitar (X-braced like the Roudhloff ), which he had enjoyed playing the most. Once Rob found appropriate strings to suit his no nails technique, he really grew to like it a lot. Initially, Rob was thinking of having me build him a D and A Roudhloff 8-string guitar ( Model 18 ), but for one reason and another it got put off. As time passed his thinking changed, and he came up with his guitar-lute ideas – I’m glad he did. Making them has been both challenging and stimulating, for which I am grateful.