THEORBO
Theorbos were a type of archlute developed in the 1500s and were still in use in the 18th century. They developed from the notion of taking the lowest string to a second head, which extended in a step directly from the first head, which was in line with the neck, thereby avoiding the use of one very long pegbox, which would be unable to take the strain of the bass strings. These unstopped strings, called diapasons, caused a sudden jump and change in the tone colour.
Based on the Theorbo by Christofolo Choc, Venice 1637 in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, this is a small instrument with 15 ribs, alternately rosewood and ivory (substantiated with sycamore). The pine belly has a finely carved inset rose. The marquetry decoration is omitted, to reduce the cost. The original main pegbox has 14 pegholes but a nut with 11 grooves. The reconstruction has 14 tuning pegs and strings. The upper pegbox has 9 pegholes for the diapasons. The fingerboard has a veneer of ebony, but the remainder of the arm and pegbox are stained black.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 1075mm
Maximum width: 311mm
Maximum depth of bowl: 185mm
String length-fingerboard: 567mm
String length-diapasons: 840mm
Tuning: F' G' A' B' C D E F G c f a d g