Category Archives: History

Life as a Professional Time Traveller

Posted on November 3, 2018 by

Last week a friend called me a “Professional Time Traveller”. A joke, but I think in a sense he is right… I tend to take leapfrogs trough history one day measuring an original guitar from 1760, the next adjusting a … Continue reading →

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A special parlor: The Grunewald “Harp-Guitar”

Posted on July 4, 2018 by

One of the perks of guitar making are the special guitars that sometimes pass the shop. And being a somewhat quirky person I somehow manage get some of the oddest pieces of guitar history. Like this 10-string “Harp-Guitar” made by … Continue reading →

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King David and his pretty little lyres

Posted on June 20, 2018 by

When researching the old European lyres there are two pictures that always keep surfacing: The Vespasian Lyre Probably the most famous is the one of King David in the Vespasian Psalter (Southern England, 2nd or 3rd quarter of the 8th … Continue reading →

Posted in History, lyre, Music, Projects, Re-enactment, Research, Think different, Uncategorized, Woodworking, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

We have a theorbo!

Posted on May 8, 2018 by

Work continues on Jannemieke’s Sellas theorbo. We’re very close to completion… The bracing glued and shaped Time to close the box… Installing the fingerboard points… And time to attach the neck extention… The instrument is finally at its full length. … Continue reading →

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A chained library

Posted on May 6, 2018 by

During the weekends at the Batavia shipyard Paper Unicorn’s bookbinder Astrid spoke about the idea of making a portable chained library. For many people this is one of the first things they think about when the subject of medieval books … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Projects, Re-enactment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A 17th century “Dutch Plane” – (free plans!)

Posted on April 1, 2018 by

In 1628 the Swedish warship Vasa set out for its maiden voyage. With 64 canons on 2 decks it was the pride of the Swedish marine. But this was shortlived; after only one mile she keeled over, water poored trough … Continue reading →

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Renaissance chisels

Posted on March 1, 2018 by

It’s virtually impossible to make a 100% accurate re-enactment kit. Especially on a low budget. Sandra and I decided to start with a basic set and improve it over time. Replace, add and remove materials, clothes, cutlery, tools and accessories. … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, History, Re-enactment, Research, Think different, Tools, Uncategorized, Woodworking, Workshop | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Building instruments live at the Batavia shipyard…

Posted on February 27, 2018 by

Last weekend my re-enactment season for 2018 started. Along with the bookbinder of “The Paper Unicorn” we’ve been asked to show our crafts at the Batavia Shipyard in Lelystad. The first day we stood at the museum, but we moved … Continue reading →

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Stradivarius guitar plans

Posted on January 19, 2018 by

You probably know the name Stradivari as the most famous violin maker that ever lived. But it is lesser known that the great master also made guitars. Only five guitars survived to this day, in museums and private collections around … Continue reading →

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Carving along…

Posted on January 3, 2018 by

As you know I am always on the lookout for inspiration. This can literally be found anywhere: nature, books, movies, etc. But works by other craftsmen and -women often prove to be the best examples. Like this “Boerenwagen” (Farmers-wagon) encountered … Continue reading →

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