View Full Version : Cittern middle ground?
blackjack
Apr-27-2005, 4:09pm
I'm interested in buying a 5-course cittern, but the only model I've found for less than ~$1000 is the Lark In The Morning "Bargain" Cittern for $385. I have not heard great things about the Lark model (cheap tuners, heavy action, etc.), and I wasn't looking for something quite THAT cheap. I know that you get what you pay for, and that $1000 isn't a lot for a good instrument, but it's not a possibility right now. Are there any citterns in the $600? Are they just not being mass-produced in Asia the way other instruments in that price range are? With such a budget, would I be better off spending that money on a decent OM?
Thanks
Jim M.
Apr-27-2005, 4:23pm
Do you belong to Cittern-L, the yahoo listserv devoted to CBOMs? You might want to post there and see if you get any responses. A lot of people on that list do not use the Cafe.
John Bertotti
Apr-27-2005, 9:52pm
How about a Freshwater freshwater cittern (http://www.freshwater-instruments.com/product2.htm#4) I think it converts to around 800 dollars US. John
Jim M.
Apr-28-2005, 9:20am
How about a Freshwater freshwater cittern (http://www.freshwater-instruments.com/product2.htm#4) #I think it converts to around 800 dollars US. John
No, 550 pounds converts to $1,050 US dollars
John Bertotti
Apr-28-2005, 1:31pm
I have got to figure out how to do these conversions. Whichever site I'm using always has me off. Sorry. John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I think the short answer to your question is no, there really aren't any citterns in the $600 range that are worth owning. #You could definitely find a decent zouk or OM for under $1k, but there's just not that much demand for 5-course instruments. #If you're extraordarily patient and diligent, you might land a good used one on Ebay, but they really don't come up very often. #If you're not so patient, I'd look for a good US maker (with the dollar what it is today, you can pretty much kiss of any imports) and still expect to pay a little more than you'd like. #Bill Peterson makes very good instruments, and his citterns start at $1,100. #You might also want to check with Don Kawalek, who posts here (as I recall, his username is "luthier" or something like that) -- he might be able to make you one for under $1k.
arbarnhart
May-07-2005, 11:06pm
There's probably an answer to this, because it just seems too easy, but what about stringing a 12 string guitar with mando family strings? Use only 10 strings and leave off the bass string if you don't want it. The good ones aren't all that cheap, but there are enough of them out there to make finding a bargain a bit more possible. A "mandocellola" ??
John Bertotti
May-08-2005, 10:03am
You could modify one of Luthiers kits and build your own. I did that but was off a bit on neck width at the body. The string spacing at the bridge was just way to tight. #It is being converted back to a short scale OM. It did sound mighty excellent with the extra course. John
I am going to add to the above. I think it sounded great. I have never played any other cittern nor heard one in person. I will say it sounded as good as any acoustic guitar I have ever heard in person. I think it was full and deep. The extra A really put the highs in this thing. I don't know what a regular cittern is tuned to but I was playing with gdaea. It had a redwood top. That will make a difference if you go this route. Don may even build one for you. Give him a shout. Support your local luthier no over seas shipping with a limited budget that could make a difference. John