This might be a builders' question, but here goes:
I've observed that the neck of my lute (and lots of lutes, in fact)
is not symmetrical about a perpendicular dropped from the center of the nut
to the bridge. Hence the fingerboard is an irregular trapezoid, with the
longer side corresponding to the treble. The treble string will be longer
by a little than the bass. If frets are placed parallel to the nut, the
distances between the frets should be lesser (by a little) on the bass side;
i.e., as measured along the strings, not at a perpendicular to the frets.
Is this a design feature instituted to reduce the need to slant the frets,
which often need to be closer on the bass side?
I hope my description is clear; an ascii diagram doesn't quite cut
it.
Thanks and regards,
Leonard Williams
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