JAUME BOSSER

LUTHIER

LUTES, THEORBOES, VIHUELAS AND EARLY GUITARS

Welcome to the early plucked stringed instruments page

My models are not exact copies of early instruments, but follow the constructional criteria that I´ve been able to observe after many years of a meticulous study of them. Such a study includes the publications of museums and researchers, as well as the notes, photographs and measurements that I´ve had the opportunity to make by myself directly to original instruments.

All the modifications made from those originals, have been dictated by the needs of modern musicians, in order to obtain satisfactory instruments, from both points of view of sound and playability.

I use only selected wood, well cured (naturally air dried minimum 6 years; often 10 or more). Most of the work is handcrafted. This offers a lot of flexibility for making changes from a given model. You can take part in the design of your instrument, deciding aspects such as wood species, dimensions and string distances, rose and other decorative items.

ABOUT ME

I started lute building in 1982 as an amateur, while I worked professionally as a multi instrument-player musician. My 1^st instrument was a renaissance lute kit, that I used afterwards in many concerts and recordings of vinyl, CD´s, TV and radio. From 1992, I left more and more aside performing music to work exclusively as a luthier.

During my amateur years, I worked occasionally with Ricard Margarit, luthier from Les Pobles (Tarragona), from who I learned my first steps about lutherie. Later, I´ve attended several instrument making courses in Spain with Manuel G. Mayoral (flamenco guitar, Hospitalet (Barcelona), 1987); Carlos González (renaissance guitar, Aracena (Andalucía), 1995); David Van Edwards (baroque lute, internet, 1999); and José Luís Romanillos (classical guitar, Sigüenza (Guadalajara), 2005).

I´ve done conservation work on historical lutes at the “Museu de la música de Barcelona”, and restauration work on a Juan Pagés guitar from 1789, by commission from his owner, Jordi Savall.

I´ve been teacher of lute making in the “Festival de música antigua de Gijón” summer course (2005), organized by Carlos González.

I´ve given several talks about early instrument making, for example at the 1st “Festival de música antigua de Sigüenza” (Sigüenza early music festival), organized by Marian Harris and José Luís Romanillos.

I´ve written articles in “Hispanica lyra”, the journal of the spanish vihuela and lute society (sociedad de la vihuela), and in CD brochures (Pablo Despeyroux, Tecnosaga).

My former experience as a professional musician has proven very useful for me: first, to understand what qualities are really important in an instrument- and so, be open to the requirements of the most demanding performers. And second, because it gave me the chance to train a lot my ears in the art of listening, an essential tool when it´s time to analyse and judge the sound resulting from each instrument that comes out from my shop.

Customers

During all my working career, I´ve been really lucky to receive the instructive comments from my customers, from high level professional performers to passioned amateurs. Thanks to them, I, ve been able to improve and refine the qualities of my instruments; they have been and still are a guide on my way. I take this opportunity to thank them very much.

Here follows a list of some of them (in brackets, significant early music groups that they play with). You will eventually find also some sound examples taken from professional recordings made by them using instruments from my workshop:

- Xavier Coll, professional musician, teacher at the E.S.M.U.C. (Escola Superior de música de Catalunya, Barcelona music High School)

- Pablo Despeyroux, professional musician. Sound samples: Canarios de Gaspar Sanz (baroque guitar); canción del emperador (vihuela)

- Xavier Díaz-Latorre, professional musician (usual partner of Jordi Savall, founder of laberintos ingeniosos), teacher at the E.S.M.U.C. (Escola Superior de música de Catalunya, Barcelona music High School)

- Alfred Fernández, professional musician

- Jordi Gironès, professional musician

- David Murgadas, professional musician, guitar teacher at the "Conservatori municipal de música d´Igualada" (Igualada conservatory).

- Josep Mª Olmos, professional musician and guitar teacher

- Francesc Tomàs "Panxito", professional musician (la criatura verda and sol i serena, catalan folk music)

- Joan Sanmartí, professional composer and jazz guitar player.

- Enrique Solinís, professional musician

- William Waters, professional musician (Lacrimae Consort), teacher at the "Conservatori municipal de Música de Vilaseca" (Tarragone)

- Daniel y Pablo Zapico, professional musicians (Forma Antiqva)

Sale Conditions

Prices are excluding taxes. Instruments are delivered in a "Manzano" hardcase, included in the instrument´s price listed . Other case models are available ("Riboni" ultra light soft cases, or "Kingham" hard cases).

Interesting discounts for 2^nd time customers.

An order is confirmed by a pre-payment of 200 € (guitars, vihuelas and renaissance lutes) or 300 € (theorboes and baroque lutes). The remaining is payed in 2 or 3 parts by appointment, the 1st at the beginning of the construction, and the last at the delivery.

Waiting time now (may 2008 ) is about 4 months to start your instrument, to be ready about 2 months later.

Diferents dimensions ( string length, string spacings at both nut and bridge) and esthetic details are available on order. I am flexible and open minded to adapt to your needs.

Models not appearing on this page can also be made. Please, ask.