Reviews and Testimonials

Some feedback from people who have played our lutes:

We built a thirteen course baroque lute for professional composer and musician Robert Foster. This is what he had to say:

"The Baroque lute is fantastic; everything I could wish for. It is visually one of the most stunning lutes I have ever seen and its sound is pure magic. I absolutely love it - thank you both so much."

Customer playing baroque lute. — Robert Foster playing his thirteen course baroque lute.

The following very kind review was written for us by Charlie Stokes after he had picked up a six course lute he'd ordered from us:

"Having owned four 6 course lutes in the past varying in quality from average to very good and having since sold them. I decided I needed a new one.

I also wanted to try another maker, after much scanning the internet, viewing the work of many makers, I was taken by the images and text on the site of the Dodd Lutherie. I placed my order. During the construction period I was further impressed by Adrian's responses to my questions. He took the time to share much about his approach to many aspects of his craft. I had no previous knowledge of their work and was purchasing without having heard one of their lutes. When I arrived to collect and saw the lute, it was love at first sight!!. Beyond doubt a beautiful object. I put this initial reaction out of mind as I began to play it. What struck me most as I played a few notes and improvised some short phrases, was how incredibly responsive this instrument is. Lute players are all aware that the tone can never be forced on a lute and yet many lutes require some physicality in technique to produce a decent volume. This lute delivers in terms of volume with even the lightest of touches, more so than any previous lutes I've owned, I can feel it resonate as I'm playing, its very light construction seems to engage the whole instrument in amplifying the sound and its tone is remarkably sweet. It has a fine even balance throughout registers and tonally across the strings. Fitted with Kurschner gut strings and Aquila loaded CD basses on C & G fundamentals, my lute has a most expressive tone and inspires as I play. Each to their own I know, but I've heard and played enough lutes to know the Dodd Lutherie is very high quality. While I was there I also had the opportunity to play two other 6 course lutes similar to mine, we all know each lute differs but their was clear consistency in quality of build and sound true to them all."