The 5-course guitar, pictured here, is designed by Zachary Taylor and faithfully based on the instruments crafted by Giorgio Sellas. One in particular, which may be seen in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, was made in 1627. It was examined and measured for the purpose of producing this representation of a truly exquisite instrument. Several other great luthiers are associated with this type of instrument including Tielke and Voboam. Sellas was chosen, not only due to his reputation as an excellent maker of this class of instrument, but that his designs lent themselves well to relatively low-cost production.
Some modifications were made to the original design including the reduction of inlaid decoration, the inclusion of which, if any, made no contribution to the function of the guitar and it might even have been detrimental to the tone and volume it produced. Attention was paid to the basic construction and materials to bring about a faithful representation of this beautiful guitar.
Zachary Taylor is a designer and maker of early stringed instruments. Early in his career, as a performer on classical guitar and lute, he began to study the creation of representations of early instruments. In his relentless research, he endeavors to acquire sufficient information for the construction of examples in the likeness of original instruments. For more than a quarter of a century he has taught the subject of lutherie in the Universities of Suffolk, England and Vigo, Spain and in Colleges including West Dean and Missenden Abbey in England. Major projects include the re-construction of instruments that form the entrance arch to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
His authorship includes many books, including "Make and Play a Lute" and "Making Early Stringed Instruments."
It is Zachary Taylor's mission to design authentic examples of ancient instruments, accessible to enthusiasts who demand high quality without a high-price tag.
