The next closest thing to holding the 1700s in your hands: Bernie Lehmann’s copy of the 1780 Renault & Chatelain guitar. You can see the original at the Musée de la Musique in Paris, France, but of course they don’t let you take it off the wall for a strum. Lucky for you, Bernie’s managed to create one that you can take home for yourself. Curly Maple back and sides with tight grain, Engelmann Spruce top finished in beeswax, with the final frets inlaid directly into the upper bout.
In Bernie’s own words, “This is a fine example of a transitional instrument between the five course, double strung Baroque guitar, and the modern 6-string guitar. It retains the elongated body and flush fingerboard, with the top extending over the body joint of a Baroque guitar, and the larger bridge and six single strings of the Romantic era guitar.” Bernie’s made sure this piece can survive the test of time, so you’ll find graphite embedded in the neck for reinforcement, and a bolt-on heel. The body is finished with catalyzed spirit varnish, and the tuners are actually 4:1 geared tuners in a friction tuner shape. Modern convenience, period correct look!
For the recreation of historical guitars and beyond, you’re hard-pressed to find a better builder than Bernie Lehmann. His Renault & Chatelain is not one to miss!
other spellings: lehman, lahmenn, layman, renalt, chatelaine, chatulain, baroqe, barock, baraque
Bernie Lehmann is well known for his work on early instruments, both in restoration and construction. Here he created a replica of the Renault/Chatelaine guitar from 1780. Complete with a beeswax finish and coffin case, this is a true recreation and holding it invokes the spirit of music from another era. | Scale Length | 25.125 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.875 in |
| String Spacing | 2.25 in |
| Woods | Spruce - Engelmann, Maple - Figured |
The next closest thing to holding the 1700s in your hands: Bernie Lehmann’s copy of the 1780 Renault & Chatelain guitar. You can see the original at the Musée de la Musique in Paris, France, but of course they don’t let you take it off the wall for a strum
Bernie Lehmann is well known for his work on early instruments, both in restoration and construction. Here he created a replica of the Renault/Chatelaine guitar from 1780 