The interior construction of this Archilaúd was redesigned to make the instrument more flexible in maintaining low string action and proper intonation. The 12 nylon strings are subdivided in 6 unison courses, and are supposed to be tuned in fourths all the way across. The back and sides of this particular instrument are made of Yew, a wood mostly used by lute and long bow makers. The sound quality of Yew, also known as Taxis wood, is similar to cypress. To find a piece this size of Yew was unusual enough to warrant first choice as building material. The hardware for the Archilaúd is unique to Spain, the only place where the Archilaúd seems to be known. This instrument was made for Jackson Browne, who was kind enough to introduce me to the wonderful Javier Mas, who owns two of the original Gonzales Archilaúds.
