Essentially a tenor lute with the theorbo's neck-extension, the archlute lacks the power in the tenor and the bass that the theorbo's large body and typically greater string length provide.

archlute, large 16th-century bass lute provided with additional bass strings, or diapasons, and producing a deeper sound that could be used in orchestral basso continuo parts.

Renowned for his violins, and especially, his ‘cellos, Tecchler also occasionally made plucked instruments; however, this handsome instrument, signed Dav: Tecchler/fecit Roma AD 1725 on an …

The archlute is a specialized European string instrument that was developed around 1600. Although it was called archlute, it also has several name variations depending on the country where it is used.

Like the theorbo, the archlute is a very large instrument, with a long neck and two peg boxes. The archlute’s peg boxes are staggered at the end of the neck instead of one being off to the side, as …

The archlute is a large chordophone instrument that derives from the lute but has various drone strings, longer and deeper, next to its normal strings. The models that date back to 1620 typically had eleven …

“Archlute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archlute. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.

Introducing the archlute. 🎶 These instruments’ impressive stature and melodic sound are matched by their ornate appearance.

The archlute is a fascinating and historically significant musical instrument that belongs to the family of lutes, a type of stringed instrument that dates back to ancient times.

Essentially a tenor lute with the theorbo's neck-extension, the archlute lacks the power in the tenor and the bass that the theorbo's large body and typically greater string length provide.