Official Luthiers Forum!

First, let me just say I know almost nothing about this stuff, so honestly any comments are appreciated. I have a 5-course 12-string guitar, which, according to my research, stopped being made around 1625, but this one has metal frets and metal strings that appear to be part of the original construction; the hand-carved notches for the frets fit too perfectly for them to have been made at different times. But I thought that metal wasn't being used for frets and strings until the 1750's. Where/when could this be from? There is no gut at all, the strings are not wound, they're pure metal.

A photo would help.

Also, a thread title that is a bit more specific could be a good idea as well- 'Info needed on dating ? Baroque ?? Guitar' might attract attention from folks who could help.

John

try www.earlyguitar.ning.com

mc

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Mike Collins

A 5 course Baroque guitar would commonly have 9 strings. They continued to be made well into the 18 th century. Yours sounds more like a type of Cittern or chitarra battente but without a photo it's simply impossible to say.

Thanks for the suggestions, I tried to include pictures but it didn't work for some reason. I'll make a new thread with a better title and figure out how to get the pictures on!!