David “José” Rubio – 1973 Lute

David „José” Rubio is one of the most famous guitar makers worldwide. After moving to Sevilla and then to Madrid to learn flamenco guitar performance, he developed a strong interest in guitar making. It was in New York, USA, after having moved to attend night school there in 1961, that he opened his first workshop in 1963. His first meeting with Julian Bream happened a few months later and was the starting point of a close friendship. Julian Bream played several of Rubio’s guitars, noticeably a 1966 instrument on which he recorded “Julian Bream and his Friends” (1968)—from 1967 on, D. J. Rubio moved back to England. He stayed until 1969 in Julian Bream’s house in Semley before opening a workshop near Oxford in 1969.

He built guitars, lutes, vihuelas, theorboes, harpsichords, violas da gamba, baroque guitars, etc. Julian Bream played a 1967 D. J. Rubio lute that appears on four of his albums throughout the 1970s, noticeably on the album: “The Lute Music of John Dowland” (1976). David “José” Rubio eventually moved his workshop to Cambridge in the 1980s.

This 1973 Rubio Lute is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. It can be used as a Baroque or Renaissance lute with ten courses, including two single strings. This special instrument is in fantastic condition, with only one perfectly repaired crack on the soundboard. The body of the lute is crafted from 9 beautifully flamed maple ribs, held to the soundboard with parchment in the traditional manner, making it visually stunning and durable.

The gut frets and authentic timbre of this lute make it a gem for any connoisseur of Baroque and Renaissance lute music, particularly for those who admire the renowned Julian Bream. This lute not only exudes aesthetic beauty but is also fully functional, making it an ideal instrument for concert performance. Whether you are a collector or a performer, this 1973 Rubio Lute, in outstanding condition, is a rare find and ready to be put to use.

A poem about this lute, David Rubio and Julian Bream

In the hands of Bream, it sang
The music of the past, with a modern twang
A lute of Rubio, a masterpiece divine
Crafted with care, to stand the test of time

Nine maple ribs, a parchment hold
With authentic timbre, and gut frets bold
A true gem, for connoisseurs to see
For lovers of lute music, a symphony

The soundboard bears a single crack
Repaired to perfection, to bring it back
To its former glory, to ring again
With the notes of Dowland, and more to gain

Bream and Rubio, a friendship strong
From New York to Semley, a bond lifelong
The lute they made, a testament true
To the art of lute making, and music anew

In Cambridge now, the workshop stands
The legacy of Rubio, in skilled hands
But this lute of '73, a treasure to keep
For those who seek beauty, and music to reap.

Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you will find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.