This link is to a build-along for a lute. This guy uses a technique for making the ribs that seems MUCH easier than the others that I've found. He also addresses the issue of cutting facets for the neck block.
I would use a wooden bowl if I could find one that was tear drop shaped. Has anyone seen anything like that?. I want to build a lute, but I want to stick with a traditional bowlback style.
Consider starting with an actual bowl? Like, a typical wooden salad bowl or something similar? Easy enough to glue on a hardwood plywood top after placing the neck.
Lots of folks use these for making skin-head banjos.
For actually fabricating a bowl-back from scratch, you might try one of the mandolin sites/forums. Advanced wood-working skills required, I'd think.
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This link is to a build-along for a lute. This guy uses a technique for making the ribs that seems MUCH easier than the others that I've found. He also addresses the issue of cutting facets for the neck block.
http://www.saladbowlguitar.com/
He has a movie on Youtube. His guitars have this pretty cool Indian vibe to them.
Lots of folks use these for making skin-head banjos.
For actually fabricating a bowl-back from scratch, you might try one of the mandolin sites/forums. Advanced wood-working skills required, I'd think.