Fretted instrument (4)
I believe the answer is:
lute
'fretted instrument' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for lute that I've seen before include "Play instrument" , "Old guitar-like instrument played by minstrels" , "instrument that minstrel played" , "Old musical instrument" , "Ancient stringed instrument" .)