Lute Bridge

I've been making a bridge for the lute. It turns out that these are quite complicated affairs - deeper and fatter at the bass side, with some fiddly 'scrolls' and undercuts. While it's being made, the bridge is best supported in a special jig which I had to make first. I scratched my head over how to make the right profile for the jig (I certainly don't have any router bits that would fit the bill) and then I remembered the trenching plane that used to belong to my Dad, and before this my Grandfather! It did a great job - who needs electric routers!

The bridge can now be glued to the belly (with hide glue) prior to tap tuning.