Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist here of nearly 30 years. I'd always wanted a lute since I tried one as a young teen. Much later in life I bought the 7 course Renaissance lute from the EMS back in 2012 and I'm sorry to say, I was not that impressed back then. The intonation was a bit off on several frets, the action was way too high and it could not be tuned as it was intended to be as it was way too tight, which was later confirmed to me by a professional lute player after I got her to check it over. The tuning also held poorly, constantly needing retuning after a song or two. The pegs were extremely difficult to find that 'sweet spot' where they held the tension but weren't ridiculously hard to turn - my fingers would literally hurt from trying to turn the pegs. Despite storing it in a temperature sensitive environment, over time the intonation and action got steadily worse. Even though I got some hard earnt enjoyment out of playing an historic instrument it was starting to become unplayable and I eventually sold it to a luthier, feeling a bit disappointed.
Then this year after some life setbacks I decided it was time to spoil myself and give the lute another try, and began shopping around. There are more retailers now who sell lutes, but after looking at them all, reading many reviews and doing a lot of research I swung back to the EMS shop to look at their basic 7 course lute and had a listen to the video of Jacob playing this lute. It sounded so beautiful, and for the price I was impressed. I spoke over the phone to the EMS and raised my previous experience with their old model. They told me that their basic model had been overhauled following input and recommendations from Jacob. And that yes it really did sound as splendid as it does online. This was all very heartening, so I decided to take a risk and bought it.
Well the lute arrived today to my place in Victoria, Australia (took only 5 days from being shipped) and I have to say I'm very happy I did purchase it, I'm really impressed.
The facts:
Tuning - it took me less than 5 minutes to tune it (the pegs were not stiff, they could be turned really easily by hand and nearly all held their position straight away, only one or two needed a light pressure and a slight push in to hold). The tuning itself actually settled remarkably quickly. Hours later I've only retuned a couple of strings very slightly but most have held well which is surprising for a new instrument.
Action - quite low, which I like as it makes it easier to play faster, but it's not so low that any strings are buzzing on any frets. All notes come through perfectly even high up on the fretboard.
Weight - this thing is light. I mean, supernaturally so. But very strong, sturdy construction and great quality woods.
Timbre - as you would hope with a lute, it has that signature soft kind of "twang" yet quite a variance in tone when your right hand is playing closer or farther away from the bridge. Nylgut strings are great.
So all in all, it seems like the description really is correct...they made huge structural changes to their old lute to create this little beauty. This is the kind of instrument I wouldn't be surprised sounding better as it gets older, which is really the hallmark of a decent instrument.
EMS, thou has't redeem'd thyself i' mine own valorous eyes!
