This 11-string model was originally developed by the late Swedish
guitar-maker Gerog Bolin. His compatriot guitarist Göran Söllscher is the most
famous player of this instrument. The first seven strings are over an area of
shortened fingerboard so the pitch is a minor third higher than the standard
guitar utilizing standard guitar strings (think about putting a capo on the 3rd
fret on the standard guitar). The fingerboard areas from string eight to eleven
are progressively extended so that lower pitches can be achieved with just
the ordinary 6th E strings .
The first 6 strings are tuned a minor third higher
than the standard guitar except that the 3rd string is lowered to F# (A on
alto-guitar). Strings seven to eleven are tuned to diatonic scale. So a typical
tuning for alto-guitar is: g'-d'-a-f-c-G-F-E-D-C-B' (corresponding to:
e'-b-f#-d-A-E-D-C#-B-A'-G'# on standard guitar). The bass strings can be
re-tuned (or de-tuned) according to the particular key signatures of the music.
Alto-guitar is a very versatile instrument for early (i.e.
Renaissance and Baroque) music. Essentially, all the music for either 6,7 8, 9
or 10-course Renaissance lute can be directly played without transcription or
editing. Even music for 11 or 13-course Baroque lute or for the long-necked
theorbo (chitarrone), typically very challenging for adequate guitar
transcription, can easily be adapted for alto-guitar with only minor editing
(please check this site for many excellent examples).
There are myths about the difficulty to play multi-string guitars
such as the alto-guitar, especially the need to damp the bass strings. The truth
and reality is that most of the time, undamped bass strings will not affect the
music. Interested players should not get discouraged.
Alto-guitars made by Bolin himself are rare commodities and
difficult to acquire. Fortunately, the reputable Japanese guitar workshop
Asturias offers a
Bolin-model alto-guitar at a reasonable, not-so-exorbitant
price. Their service is reliable and they will air-ship internationally. The
waiting time is approximately six months.
This alto-guitar made by Asturias workshop has a spruce top. The
workmanship is impeccable, especially the varnishes are so refined and polished.
The label bears a seal and inscription of Wataru Tsuji, the master maker of the
Asturias workshop. So this guitar should be the product of this experienced
luthier himself. The sound is on the elegant and focused side, similar to the
quality of a Kohno. The action is easy. This, as well as the short fingerboard
scale, made many of the difficult fingerings more feasible.
The measurements:
String length (scale) for string 1-7: 22 10/16 in.
(57.38 cm)
String length (scale) for string 8; 25 8/16 in..
(64.77 cm)
String length (scale) for string 9; 26 15/16 in.
(68.42 cm)
String length (scale) for string 10; 28 9/16 in.
(72.54 cm)
String length (scale) for string 11; 30 4/16 in. (
76.84 cm)
Fingerboard width at 1st fret (nut): 3 10/16 in.
(9.20 cm)
String distance from 1-11 at nut: 3 3/16 in.(8.28
cm)
Fingerboard width at 10 th fret: 4 2/16 in. (10.92
cm)
String distance from 1-11 at 10th fret:3 11/16 in.
(9.37 cm)
