Best Lutes of 2025

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Lutes are a fascinating and beautiful musical instrument that has been around for centuries. These stringed instruments are known for their distinctive pear-shaped body and intricate fretwork. They have a rich history and have been used in a variety of musical genres, from classical to folk music. Lutes come in a range of sizes and styles, from the smaller soprano lute to the larger bass lute. They are typically made from a combination of wood and other materials, and the strings are plucked to produce a beautiful, melodic sound. Whether you are a professional musician or simply a music enthusiast, lutes are a wonderful addition to any collection.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Lutes
Roosebeck 7-Course Travel Lute
The Roosebeck 7-Course Travel Lute in Sheesham with gig bag, extra strings, and tuner is a compact and portable instrument suitable for musicians of all levels. The lute comes with a descant string set, which produces a bright and clear tone. The included Snark clip-on tuner makes tuning easy and accurate, ensuring that the lute is always in tune. This lute is perfect for those who want to travel with their instrument or who have limited space for storage.
Roosebeck 7-Course Travel Lute
The Roosebeck 7-Course Travel Lute features a neck, fingerboard, peg box, and bridge made of Sheesham. The soundboard and soundboard bracing are made of Spruce, while the nut and tuning pegs are made of Sheesham. The instrument has a scale length of 572mm, nut width of 190mm, and overall dimensions of 800mm length, 230mm width, and 152mm depth. It is a great option for those who want to travel with a lute.
Roosebeck 7-Course Lute
The Roosebeck Lute is designed for both beginners and experienced players. It features an Ultimate Fretted Tuning Chart, which comes with a CD for easy reference, helping you tune your instrument accurately. Measuring 19 3/4" long, this short-necked lute is comfortable to hold and play. The bowl back design enhances sound quality, making your music resonate beautifully. Crafted with a lacewood neck and a rosewood fingerboard, the lute not only looks elegant but also offers a smooth playing experience. With 15 nylon strings arranged in 7 courses, you'll enjoy a rich and vibrant sound that enhances your musical journey.
Roosebeck Deluxe 8-Course Lute
The Roosebeck Deluxe 8-Course Lute is a beautifully crafted musical instrument that comes with a deluxe gig bag and a learning to play lute book. The body is made of sheesham scalloped staves and the soundboard is made of solid Canadian spruce, producing rich and warm tones. The neck, with a width of 2.79 inches at the nut, is easy to play and comfortable for beginners and experienced players alike.
Roosebeck Deluxe 7-Course Lute
The Roosebeck 7-Course Lute is a beautifully crafted instrument that includes a deluxe gig bag for easy transport and protection. With a body length of 17.5 inches, a width of 6.5 inches, and a height of 12.25 inches, it offers a comfortable size for playing. The neck width at the nut is 2.5 inches, providing ample space for your fingers, while the neck at the body joint expands to 3 inches, allowing for smooth playability and comfort. This lute is perfect for musicians seeking a high-quality instrument that is both portable and user-friendly.
Roosebeck Deluxe 8-Course Lute Sheesham LT8DRN
Roosebeck Sheesham Lute is a high-quality musical instrument that is perfect for those who enjoy playing lutes. This is a deluxe 8-course lute that is made of Sheesham wood. The 8-course lute is a versatile instrument that can be used for a wide range of music genres. The lute features a beautiful design that is both elegant and functional. The unique design of the lute allows for easy playing and a comfortable grip. The strings are made of high-quality materials that produce a rich and warm tone. The Roosebeck Sheesham Lute is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality lute that is both beautiful and functional.
Roosebeck Deluxe Lute Sheesham
The Roosebeck Deluxe Lute Sheesham is a 6-course lute that comes with a hard case for protection. It has a spruce soundboard, 25 scalloped staves, a total length of 27.5", and a scale length of 23.6". This lute is perfect for musicians who want a high-quality instrument with a beautiful sound.
Roosebeck 8-Course Lute Bundle
The Roosebeck 8-Course Lute Bundle is a great choice for lute enthusiasts. This bundle includes a Canadian Spruce 8-Course Lute with a gig bag and a Roosebeck 8-Course Lute String Set. The Canadian Spruce 8-Course Lute is made of high-quality materials that produce a beautiful sound. The gig bag is perfect for protection and transportation. The Roosebeck 8-Course Lute String Set is easy to install and provides a clear and balanced sound. With this bundle, you can enjoy playing the lute with convenience and quality sound.
Roosebeck Sheesham Deluxe Lute
The Roosebeck Deluxe Lute features a beautiful solid spruce top, providing excellent sound quality that enhances your music experience. It comes with a protective bag, making it easy for you to transport and store your instrument safely. Additionally, the included Roosebeck 8-Course Lute String Set ensures you have everything you need to keep your lute in top shape, allowing for smooth and melodious play. The Snark Clip-On Chromatic Tuner is perfect for tuning your lute accurately, making it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced players. Enjoy the convenience of having quality accessories at your fingertips!
Roosebeck 7-Course Travel Lute with Tuner
The Roosebeck Travel Lute is a versatile instrument designed for musicians on the go. This 7-course lute comes with a padded gig bag, ensuring that your instrument stays protected during travel. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry, allowing you to play wherever you are. Additionally, the included Snark Clip-On Chromatic Tuner is perfect for keeping your lute in tune, whether you're at home or performing. This tuner is compatible with various string instruments, making it a handy tool for all your musical needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the 2 types of lute?
There are two types of lute: the archlute, which is a Renaissance lute with extra bass strings, and the theorbo (or chitarrone), which has a longer string length for the short strings.
2. What are lutes used for?
Lutes are used in a wide range of instrumental music from the Medieval to the late Baroque eras. They were particularly important for secular music during the Renaissance. In the Baroque era, lutes were also used to play the basso continuo accompaniment parts.
3. Is a lute played like a guitar?
While both the lute and the acoustic guitar are stringed instruments played with the fingers, the lute has a fretted neck and is held upright with a round back. It produces a mellow sound when plucked.
4. Are lutes hard to learn?
Learning to play the lute is not easy, especially without proper guidance or instruction.
5. Is lute a difficult instrument?
The lute is known to be a challenging instrument to master. While some pieces in the repertoire are very difficult, even the simplest lute music can sound beautiful when played with correct technique.
During our lute research, we found 24 lute products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,749 customer reviews through our big data system to write the lutes list. We found that most customers choose lutes with an average price of $672.90.
The lutes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of lutes, including Roosebeck and more. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 16 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Nicole Kim has been a music teacher and a private piano instructor for six years now. She is a very talented musician who plays piano to a high standard and won several awards in international piano competitions. Lately, she has been sharing her music expertise online, giving incredible tips on how to select the right musical instruments.