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59cm Renaissance Lute String Tensions

This table shows the tensions that result from the different gauges available for the renaissance lute. The string length is assumed to be about 59cm and the pitch standard is assumed to be a=440. If the string length on your instrument is a little longer, then the tension will be a little more. If the string length on your instrument is a little shorter, then the tension will be a little less. Each string is listed with a type of gut that is used on the instrument. There are two listings for the C-5, G-6, F-7, E-8, D-9 and C-10 fundamental strings. One listing is for wound strings and the other is for plain gut strings.

If you have any questions about string tensions that are not answered here, please contact us.

    Diameter Tension
Note   in mm in Kg
Lute g-1 treble gut
g Light .40 3.60
g Medium .42 4.00
g Heavy .44 4.40
Lute d-2 treble gut
d Light .48 2.90
d Medium .50 3.10
d Heavy .52 3.40
Lute a-3 treble gut
a Light .62 2.70
a Medium .64 2.90
a Heavy .66 3.10
Lute f-4 treble gut
f Light .78 2.70
f Medium .80 2.80
f Heavy .82 3.00
Lute c-5 Pistoy Gut, Lyon gut, or Gimped String
c Light 1.02 2.60
c Medium 1.04 2.70
c Heavy 1.06 2.80
Lute c-5 Octave Treble Gut
c Light .50 2.60
c Medium .52 2.65
c Heavy .54 2.90
Lute G-6 Pistoy Gut, Lyon gut, or Gimped String
G Light 1.38 2.50
G Medium 1.40 2.55
G Heavy 1.42 2.65
Lute G-6 Copper Wound on Gut
G Light LUS5412 2.50
G Medium LUS5612 2.55
G Heavy LUS5812 2.65
Lute g-6 Octave Treble Gut
g Light .68 2.60
g Medium .70 2.70
g Heavy .72 2.90
Lute F-7 Pistoy Gut,Lyon Gut, or Gimped String
F Light 1.48 2.42
F Medium 1.50 2.50
F Heavy 1.52 2.55
Lute F-7 Copper Wound on Gut
F Light LUS6212 2.40
F Medium LUS6412 2.48
F Heavy LUS6612 2.56
Lute f-7 Octave Treble Gut
f Light .76 2.52
f Medium .78 2.70
f Heavy .80 2.80
Lute E-8 Pistoy Gut,Lyon Gut, or Gimped String
E Light 1.56 2.40
E Medium 1.58 2.45
E Heavy 1.60 2.57
Lute E-8 Copper Wound on Gut
E Light LUS6812 2.43
E Medium LUS7012 2.50
E Heavy LUS7212 2.58
Lute e-8 Octave Treble Gut
e Light .80 2.52
e Medium .82 2.62
e Heavy .84 2.75
Lute D-9 Pistoy Gut,Lyon Gut, or Gimped String
D Light 1.74 2.37
D Medium 1.78 2.43
D Heavy 1.80 2.48
Lute D-9 Copper Wound on Gut
D Light LUS56715 2.35
D Medium LUS58175 2.43
D Heavy LUS60175 2.50
Lute d-9 Octave Treble Gut
d Light .88 2.40
d Medium .90 2.52
d Heavy .92 2.62

Lute C-10 Pistoy Gut, Lyon Gut, or Gimped String
C Light 1.96 2.38
C Medium 1.98 2.42
C Heavy 2.00 2.48
Lute C-10 Copper Wound on Gut
C Light LUS6220 2.37
C Medium LUS6420 2.44
C Heavy LUS6620 2.51
Lute c-10 Octave Treble Gut
c Light .98 2.40
c Medium 1.00 2.50
c Heavy 1.02 2.56