Thomann Lute Guitar Standard Walnut

This is simply BEAUTIFULL INSTRUMENT WITH NICE SOUND !
If wanna try the old music sound by the easiest way and affordable instrument, skip from class.guitar to this - it has only 6 strings and same tunning like guitar. Simple.
WHAT YOU GET:
- A beautifull instrument from massive - all used woods are nice.
- classic tunnig mechanics works good and keep tunning fine; much better than classic-lute style pegs...
- classic guitar neck, where "E2" is near body !!! Look carefully to photos! Last possible barre chord E-type is Eb!!!
SOUND: it is NOT a doubled strings (courses) choir instrument as classic lute - by single strings is much close to a classic guitar. You can play a Flamenco or classic gt pieces. Tunning is much easier!!!
BUT: tonal characteristics are different - lute body, lute sound. Wellcome to the Luigi XIV court!
CONS: = MINIMUM, but:
- due its rounded body is really problematic keep & play without a support or a strap - It is still slipping! But there are no strap-pegs..
- theres no adjustable truss rod in the neck - surely, understand its a copy of an ancient instrument - but no space for neck/string adjustment !
- AND THE WORST: THE STRINGS ARE REALLY HIGH - WAY ABOVE THE NECK FRETS !!! From 5th fret - DAMM! I believe, it was an obvious fact at renaissance times, but we are hundred years later - no craftmanship improvement? Such fantastic looking and sounding instrument must torture a player??? Even with a nylon strings...
This is 3rd instrument of the same Portugal producer and THE SAME PROBLEM! Think (for this considerable money) the instrument is to be a much better adjusted!
So - look carefully, if the Lute you get is great for hanging on the wall, or ready for a hours of playing... !!!
Really sad to write the same once again..
CONCLUSION: a very nice instrument you cant find by this price at the market !!! But look on - IS IT PLAYER-FRIENDLY...???
Then count additional considerable money for somebody handle enough to do, what a producer "forgot"..

Of course I never have enough instrument, especially guitars so when I decided to get a new one, straight away I went to Thomann website. I like the traditional acoustic instruments and thought about getting a lute but as a classical guitarist I wanted mainly the sound of a lute and the convenience of a classical guitar. This lute is perfectly fitting the bill. Well made (love the walnut back, so gorgeous) and the soundhole rosace is beautiful. I'm also a huge fan of the spruce top! Playability is really good too. Definitely recommend to get the lute sound but keep the simplicity of playing a guitar. There's a bit of a learning curve to hold the lute at first but it's definitely worth the effort. Thanks Thomann!

I have never in my life found a an acoustic or classical guitar that sounded so good I had to have it. I've played $2000-$4000 guitars and nothing has wowed me.

I live in the USA so I couldn't play this one before i ordered it but its always been a dream of mine to learn lute.. this solves the problem so for the price I decided to give it a shot.. WOW. this thing is absolutely stunning. soo much reverb and sustain absolutely gorgeous tone.

The one caveat is that i changed the strings to real catgut strings which cost me about $100 I also tried the nylgut strings which were only about $20 and sounded great I just cant stand the plastic feel and sound of typical nylon strings.

If you always wanted to play a lute or if you want an amazing sounding classical guitar, it also feels great, I Highly Highly recommend this lute guitar. I own around 20 guitars from Gibson down to glarry and this is may be my all time favorite.

I'm a classical guitarist first and foremost, and over time, I've had a growing interest in more medieval music, but learning the lute isn't easy! This was a godsend!
Now I can play the same tunes adapted to guitar but it sounds much better, the resonance is different and the sound is more on point.

In terms of construction and build quality, it's really really great, though I've only given 4/5 because the back is very slippery and it is nearly impossible to play sans strap!