Istanbul Lute Making: Rebirth of a Forgotten Palace Instrument
The acoustic structure, fret system, and bridge role between oud and guitar of the Istanbul Lute, the elegant instrument of classical Turkish music.
The Istanbul Lute (Polis Lute), which was an indispensable part of 19th-century Ottoman palace music but gradually faded into obscurity, is being reborn today through the meticulous construction and restoration work of traditional instrument makers.
What is the Istanbul Lute? How Does It Differ from Oud and Guitar?
Although the Istanbul Lute resembles an Oud, it possesses unique structural characteristics that bring it closer to the guitar and European lutes:
- Fretted Neck: Unlike the completely fretless Oud, the Istanbul Lute features 7 to 8 gut or nylon frets tied around its neck. In this aspect, it acts as an acoustic bridge between the Oud and the Guitar.
- Body (Bowl) Dimensions: It has a smaller, narrower, and shallower body compared to the Oud. The bowl is built by bending thin wooden ribs of cherry, maple, or plum wood.
- Sound Character: Due to its compact body and fine soundboard bracing, it yields an extremely delicate, misty, slightly metallic, and highly authentic timbre.
Acoustic Challenges in Lute Making
Lute manufacturing requires precise engineering because of the specific neck-to-body angle and the placement of the frets. The neck angle allows no room for error; otherwise, string buzzing or excessive string action will occur. In our Izmir workshop, we merge the traditional Istanbul Lute form with modern structural stability standards alongside our conservatory-trained master makers.
