Butterfield Lutes

Welcome to my website. I strive to use the best materials available when making my lutes, including European
pear and plum, snakewood, Madagascar ebony, birdseye maple, figured English ash, holly, Honduran rosewood
and mahogany, palisander, and Pacific Northwest yew.

I make an effort to follow historical methods. Roses and bridges are carved by hand. I turn my own pegs from
rosewood, plum, or boxwood. Nuts are made from bone, African blackwood, or lignum vitae. Quality hide glue is
used for all assemblies and instrument backs are finished with a traditional oil varnish.