Lute fret calculator
A lute has no fret slots. Its frets are loops of gut tied around the neck, with a few wooden frets glued to the top, so you can set them by measuring and move them later. Aquila's 8-course Renaissance set is made for a 600 mm string length, and the calculator starts there, with 8 frets: 1st fret 33.68 mm from the nut, 2nd 65.46 mm, 3rd 95.46 mm, 5th 150.51 mm, 7th 199.55 mm and 8th 222.02 mm.
Lute fret positions, 600 mm string length
Equal-temperament positions from the nut, from the previous fret and to the bridge on a Renaissance lute.
| Fret | From nut (mm) | From previous (mm) | To bridge (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33.68 | 33.68 | 566.32 |
| 2 | 65.46 | 31.79 | 534.54 |
| 3 | 95.46 | 30.00 | 504.54 |
| 4 | 123.78 | 28.32 | 476.22 |
| 5 | 150.51 | 26.73 | 449.49 |
| 6 | 175.74 | 25.23 | 424.26 |
| 7 | 199.55 | 23.81 | 400.45 |
| 8 | 222.02 | 22.48 | 377.98 |
Thomann, Aquila Renaissance lute strings, 8 courses (600 mm)
How to use it
- Tap Lute 600 mm or type your string length, measured from the nut to the bridge.
- The fret count starts at 8, a common number on Renaissance lutes (an estimate, not a standard); change it to the number of tied frets on your neck.
- Print at 100%, check the 100 mm bar, lay the strip along the neck and mark each fret position with a soft pencil.
- Tie each fret on its mark, then fine-tune its position by ear or with a tuner.
Help and explanations
Type your own string length, from about 580 to 630 mm on most Renaissance lutes, and print the template at full size to mark each fret on the neck. Everything runs in your browser, free, with no sign-up.
Tied gut frets
According to Wikipedia, lute frets are made of gut tied around the neck, with partial wooden frets glued on the soundboard for the highest positions. Tied frets wear where the strings press and need replacing now and then, which makes a printed template handy: you can put every new fret back exactly where the old one was.
The calculator gives equal-temperament positions, d = L − L ÷ 2^(n/12). On a 600 mm lute the 12th fret would fall at 300.00 mm, half the string length; on a lute that point lies past the neck, on the top, where any extra frets are small wooden ones glued to the soundboard.
Temperament and moving frets
Lutenists often adjust tied frets slightly away from equal temperament, to sweeten certain intervals or to match meantone tunings used in early music. The table is the neutral starting point: tie the frets on the marks, then nudge each one by ear.
Check the result with the intonation checker or the strobe tuner, fret by fret, on more than one course.
Tips
- Measure the real string length from the nut to the bridge: lutes have no compensated saddle, so the bridge is the end of the scale.
- Mark all frets from the nut, never fret to fret, so small errors don't add up.
- Restringing at the same time? See how to restring a lute.
Frequently asked questions
Where do lute frets go?
In equal temperament, at d = L − L ÷ 2^(n/12) from the nut. On a 600 mm lute: 1st fret 33.68 mm, 2nd 65.46 mm, 3rd 95.46 mm, 4th 123.78 mm, 5th 150.51 mm, 6th 175.74 mm, 7th 199.55 mm and 8th 222.02 mm.
What is the scale length of a Renaissance lute?
Usually around 58 to 63 cm. Aquila's 8-course Renaissance set is designed for 600 mm and Gamut publishes tension tables for a 59 cm lute. Measure yours from the nut to the bridge.
Does a lute have frets?
Yes, but they are tied: loops of gut knotted around the neck, plus a few wooden frets glued on the top. They can be moved slightly to adjust the temperament.
How many frets does a lute have?
Around eight tied frets is common on a Renaissance lute, but that's an estimate: no fixed number is standard. The calculator starts with 8; change it to match your lute.
Can I use this for a baroque lute or a theorbo?
Yes, for the fretted strings: type the string length of the stopped courses. The extra bass strings of a theorbo run off the fingerboard and have no frets.