'u' ?! ni! ni! ni! ... There are lute-like instruments with longer fretboards than the lute, cittern for example, some models of which commonly ommit the 18th fret, and should have 20 or perhaps more. Perhaps an orpharion was made that could handle that. Modern banjo has 20 frets, 23 if it is a long-neck model (I have one on my workbench now). But, the ordinary european lute doesnt do that; some players can of course, with care (see other postings).
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