• Roosebeck 7-Course Descant Lute — Lacewood and Rosewood front view
  • Roosebeck 7-Course Descant Lute lacewood and rosewood front face view
  • Roosebeck 7-Course Descant Lute Rosewood and lacewood peg box decoration view
  • Roosebeck 7-Course Descant Lute lacewood back end view
  • Roosebeck 7-Course Descant Lute rosewood fretboard view
  • Roosebeck 7-Course Descant Lute lacewood peg box front view
  • Roosebeck 7-Course Descant Lute spruce rosette view
  • Roosebeck 7-Course Descant Lute lacewood back view
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Lute

Roosebeck Descant Lute, 7-Course

$599
$599
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13 Strings / 7 Courses Descant Range Lacewood Bowl Spruce Top Gig Bag Included

Ideal for: Consort players, ensemble musicians, and players with smaller hands

A higher-pitched lute voice for consort and ensemble playing.

The Descant Lute is pitched higher than a standard Renaissance lute, making it ideal for consort playing, smaller ensembles, and repertoire that calls for a brighter, more intimate voice. With 13 strings in 7 courses, it covers the essential range for descant lute parts while remaining manageable for players of all levels.

Clear, Sweet Tone with Strong Projection

A lacewood bowl and European spruce soundboard deliver clear, sweet tone with strong projection for the instrument's size. The higher pitch range of the descant lute gives you a voice that cuts through in a consort setting while staying intimate in solo work.

About descant pitch: Descant lutes sit above standard Renaissance lutes in an ensemble, similar to how a descant recorder sits above an alto. They handle the high voice in consort music.

A Smaller, More Manageable Lute

The smaller body is comfortable to hold, and the shorter 19.75 inch scale makes fretting easier. A benefit for beginners and players with smaller hands who find a full-size lute physically demanding.

The bowl and neck are lacewood, with a rosewood fingerboard, rosewood bridge, and rosewood tuning pegs. The distinctive figure of lacewood sets the descant apart visually from the rosewood-bowled travel lutes.

Physically easier to play: Shorter scale length means the frets are closer together. Players with smaller hands or less reach often find descant lutes considerably more comfortable than standard lutes.

A Rare Instrument at an Accessible Price

Descant lutes are hard to find at any price point. The Roosebeck Descant Lute puts early music ensemble playing within reach for players who wouldn't otherwise have access to one.

Playing in a consort? If you're part of a Renaissance consort or early music group, a descant lute fills a specific high-voice role that a standard lute can't cover.

Technical Specifications

Courses / Strings 7 courses (13 strings)
Recommended Tuning A4, E4/E4, B3/B3, G3/G3, D4/D3, A3/A2, G3/G2
Scale Length 19.75 inches (500 mm)
Strings Nylon
Body / Bowl Lacewood staves
Soundboard European spruce
Neck Lacewood
Fingerboard Rosewood
Pegbox Lacewood, decorated
Bridge Rosewood and lacewood
Tuning Pegs Rosewood
Frets 8 tied nylon
Fingerboard Width 2 inches
Overall Dimensions 25 in L × 10.5 in W × 5.75 in H
Weight 1.3 lbs
String care: Lute strings carry no warranty, and makers suggest replacing them every 3 to 4 months. Keep a spare set on hand, wipe the strings with a dry cloth after playing, and plan on fresh strings if the instrument has been stored for a while.

What's in the Box

Every Descant Lute ships ready for ensemble or solo work.

Padded Gig Bag Owner's Guide (PDF)

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Roosebeck Descant Lute, 7-Course

$599
$599
Tradition you can feel, craftsmanship you can hear.
Solid tonewoods
Cured, cut, and chosen for sound.
Voiced by hand
Fretboards dressed, action set, bridges fit by our luthiers.
Made to be played
Built for working musicians, designed to sound better the more you play it.
Since 1973
Five decades of building instruments that last generations.

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