Evidence suggests that the lute was introduced into Europe by the Moors through Spain during the late middle ages and derives its name from the Arabic 'al Ud' (literally ~ the wood). The earliest forms were carved from a single piece of wood but by the renaissance the curved back was constructed from separate ribs of wood and became an object of exceptionally fine craftsmanship, held in the highest musical esteem.

New! - EMS Lute kit
EMS lute Kits - enjoy the fun of building your own lute from a kit. All parts are made to the same high specification as our finished lute. Just follow the step by step comprehensive instruction manual complete with colour photographs and full scale drawing. An important design improvement is that the kit is supplied with a completely pre-assembled shell, which overcomes the frustrations that many kit builders found with previous lute kits. Each part is carefully shaped ready for assembly, with only limited hand skills required. We even offer an optional pre-cut rose for those of you who are less adventurous! All parts are replaceable (should you need it) with the full back up service of our workshop.
Each lute kit is supplied with a protective hard case which is included in the price. A complete set of nylon strings completes the kit. Available with either 7 or 8 courses.
Optional tutor book also available

EMS Student Lute
The EMS budget lute is an inexpensive instrument 8 course beginner's instrument. The soundboard, bridge and rose are of a basic design and the back uses two different woods to give the classic striped effect. The instrument is provided with an optioanl hard case as illustrated.

David Parsons (Haydn Lute Trio) reflects on student lutes and the EMS Lutes
"Ever since the revival of interest in playing the lute began in earnest, there has been a need for decent student instruments. Lutes are famously expensive. Nowadays a top quality renaissance lute by an established maker will cost you the best part of £3000.00. Some well-established makers have started producing basic plain student models but generally, even a very plain 6 course lute can cost up to £1300.00. In the early 1980s some attempts were made to solve the problem. John Gorrett, a fine maker, produced Woodlark Lutes, excellent simply made but well set up 7 course instruments. They retailed for around £250 then but he soon found that he could not afford to keep spending so much time on making an instrument for so little profit. There was also at the this time a flawed attempt at mass production wiith the invention of a plastic backed lute. You couldn't tune them and they sounded horrible. So where are we now? If you want to spend less than a £1000 it is difficult. You may well find something by a new maker retailing for say £800, but it has to be said that the quality at this price is generally uneven. Consider that the same money for a classical guitar from a good Spanish workshop would be a quality piece of work reflecting years of experience. I was very interested to hear of the new range of lutes produced by the Early Music Shop. I was asked to see them and, given all I have mentioned above went along with little optimism. After all how can you market a lute at £500 including VAT including a case? The EMS lute I saw was an 8 course instrument. The soundboard, bridge and rose are of a basic design and the back uses two different woods to give a classic striped effect. The neck, although a little 'chunky' is solid and the action set well. The pegs are rather longer than they need to be but work well enough. A little 'peg-easer' will help, also I would like to change the nylon frets for gut. Overall the lute is a little heavier than you might expect nowadays but at this price solid is not a bad thing. The case is a basic box style. To sum up, this lute works. The sound is bright and strong and perfectly acceptable for someone learning. It fills a long overlooked gap in the market. A lute retailing at a comparable price to other student instruments is to be applauded. It gives those reticent to commit a large amount of money to a first instrument a way of finding out if they will take to it. If they do, they can invest in a high quality lute later, if they don't it isn't such a loss". David Parsons