Our 7-course Descant Lute is a beautiful short necked lute. The term, Descant, refers to its size; placing this lute just above the alto lutes. It has 13 nylon strings in 7 courses with a scale length of 19.75" (500mm). Suggested tuning is: G4, D4/D4, A3/A3, F3/F3, C4/C3, G3/G2, F3/F2.

The body has a classic bowl back fashioned from lacewood staves. There are eight tied nylon frets on a lacewood neck that features a sheesham fret board. The peg box is beautifully decorated lacewood with sheesham tuners. The soundboard is made of European spruce with a sheesham bridge and sheesham end pin. Includes padded gig bag.

The European lute is featured in instrumental music from the early Renaissance to the late Baroque periods. It's early origins are vague, but it's common ancestor is the Egyptian oud. There is evidence of the lute in Europe as early as the 12th century, but it really became popular in the 15th century, falling out of use around 1800. The lute enjoyed a revival with the early music movement of the twentieth century, and has grown in popularity.

Included FREE: "The Ultimate Fretted Tuning Chart"

This chart contains 87 tunings (47 for guitar) for various common and hard to find instruments. The accompanying CD has all the tunings played on the actual instruments. Many tunings are offered for most instruments. Instruments include guitar, mandolin, banjo, dulcimer, bass, harp guitar, balalaika, oud/Lute, charrango, bouzouki, tres, ukulele, bajo sexto, dobro/lap steel, vihuela and requinto. Included are the most common tunings as well as many exotic tunings.

SPECIAL NOTE ON STRINGS: There is no warranty on strings. Manufacturers recommend that you change the strings on your instrument as soon as you receive it. Your instrument has completed a long journey before it ever begins the final leg to your home. During this time the elements affect the strings and may shorten their lifespan. It occasionally happens that a string will fail during that final leg of the journey. Therefore, it is recommended that you purchase a replacement set of strings and consider changing your strings soon after it arrives. If you are a student you may want to change your strings every 3-4 months. If you are a rock star you may need to change your strings every week. If you store your instrument, you should consider changing the strings when you pick it up again.

Includes:

• The Ultimate Fretted Tuning Chart with CD (shipped separately)
• Overall Length: 25"
• Scale Length: 19.75"
• 13 nylon strings in 7 courses
• Frets: 8 tied nylon
• Classic bowl back fashioned from lacewood staves
• Lacewood neck & Sheesham finger board
• Shipped insured
• Brand New!