Chris, I took a look on eBay just on spec to see what was out there based on your email on this subject. I know nothing of the quality but at first blush, the Roosebeck 7 course seen here - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Roosebeck-7-Course-13-String-Rosewood-Travel-Lute-/170833947206?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c67f2a46 seems to look of considerably better quality than what was out a few years ago. This of course doesn't mean it's a good lute or even playable. I recall many on this list who bought one of the early ones made in the Mid East complaining that they needed serious re-working. But the price is not bad at less than $500 dollars. Naturally caveat emptor.
On a related search I came across a listing for plans that were allegedly drawn by Giuseppe Tumiati (www.lute.net). Is anyone familiar with these plans and can anyone speak to the quality or authenticity of them? Regards, Craig Allen To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
