Welcome to Orlando Lutes
Luke Emmet of Orlando Lutes specialises in high quality, hand made lutes, as well as lute refurbishment and setup and repairs. As an active player as well as maker, I have a passion for making the best sounding renaissance lutes - and I focus on sound quality and playability, first and foremost. Each lute is hand made and individually voiced.
“... I was delighted and impressed by how good this instrument is in every respect: the warm, full sound is well balanced across the registers, the projection is powerful, the instrument is very comfortable to play, and the craftsmanship is remarkable. Luke is clearly at the forefront of the younger generation of lute makers, and I can recommend his instruments without a reservation." - see more reviews
Prices start from £2400
News
- May 2020 - I'm now on Facebook - if you are too, feel free to reach out and say hello.
- Apr 2020 - Eric Thomas has a Youtube channel where is is uploading a number of videos, including Milano, Spinacino, Da Ripa and more, all played on a 6c lute by me.
- Feb 2020 - Here is a video of Kristiina Watt playing a setting of Byrd's Ye Sacred Muses arranged for lute and voice. With singer Laura Bohlander. Kristiina is playing an 8c lute made by me, and it's sounding very nice in her hands.
- Mar 2020 - A great LuteFest 2020 at Benslow - I came both as a player and as the Lute Doctor in residence . Hope to see you there next year.
- Dec 2019 - Just completed a Liuto Attiorbato for a customer based on the Sellas model - see photo.
- Oct 2019 - LuteScribe 1.2.1 released, the open source and free tabulature viewing and editing software is now released. Usability enhancements, better audio playback and now includes TAB 4.3.98. Further details and download.
- Aug 2019 - Lute Iconography Database - an online listing of over 2000 images of the lute, categorised by artist, location, type of lute etc.
- May 2019 - Palladin - another wonderful new recording by Alex McCartney, playing his 6c lute I made for him:
Previous news items can be seen in old news.
Recent Work and Reviews
Examples of recent work can be seen in the photo gallery, and some customers reviews.
Prices
See renaissance lutes for details of our instruments.
Renaissance lutes are the lutes I'm best known for. Particular attention is paid during construction to ensure good tone quality and the perfect setup.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any specific or custom requirements.
My standard, most requested models are listed below, other models are available on discussion. The actual price will depend on the extent of decorative details and use of exotic timbers etc.
| Type | Detail | Price |
6 course renaissance lute |
Model after Hieber, in G (60cm). |
from £2400 |
7 or 8 course renaissance lute |
Model after Hieber, in G (60cm), |
from £2500 |
Prices do not include shipping or case.
Contact details
Orlando Lutes is based in Colchester, Essex, UK.
Feel free to call up or email to have a chat about your lute needs!
Luke Emmet
tel: +44 (0)7905 075 197
email: