One of my favorite claymation movies is the Wrong Trousers.

Essentially, most people are playing the wrong sized lute.

90%. Probably you. Also, most people adore their luttes and will not part with them. Buy the right size to begin with. And don't get one with narrow string spacing, you will never improve beyond a certain point.

When I was teaching a large lute class, it suddenly occurred to me that if everyone just SWITCHED lutes, everyone would be happier, sound better, maybe even have less aches & pains. O Praeclarum Diem!

That of course won't happen, which is really too bad. Tragic, really.

To get a properly sized lute, the best thing is to go somewhere where all sizes are available. And try them all on.

Still can't decide?

You can't go too far wrong with a 60cm lute with a WIDE bridge spacing.