About:

Beginning in 1975, I studied lute playing and lute making with Ray Nurse in Vancouver, B.C.

In 1978 and 1979 I did extensive research on surviving historical lutes, archlutes and theorbos in the following museums and private collections.  A total of 65 instruments were measured and photographed in great detail.

Accademia Filarmonica, Bologna
Museo Civico, Bologna
Kunsthistorischesmuseum, Vienna
Germanischesnational Museum, Nurnberg
Musee Instrumental, Brussels
Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Royal College of Music, London
Private collection (Robert Spencer), London

In 1986 I was awarded a Canada Council Grant, which enabled me to work for one year with lute maker Stephen Gottlieb in London, England.

In 1987 I did further research on historical lutes in the following collections:
Musee Instrumental du Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique, Paris
Museo Bardini, Florence

Since my return to Vancouver, B.C. in 1988, I have worked full time as a lute maker, producing high quality instruments for both professional and amateur players worldwide.  I have published a number of articles, as well as a documentary drawing of the 7 course 1592 Venere lute in the Accademia Filarmonica, Bologna.  I have given talks on historical lutes and lutemaking in several universities and colleges and one of my lutes is in The Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec.  I have built instruments for some of the world's finest lutenists, including Paul O'Dette, Jacob Heringman and Robert Barto, and for a number of years I have taught lute building and lute maintenance classes at the Lute Society of America Summer Workshop West seminars.

Contact:

Grant Tomlinson Lutemaker, Canada