My latest build: A medieval gittern

https://i.imgur.com/d2qiblr.jpg

Another lovely creation, Jo. I love the simple ornamentation on the headstock and your rosettes are always so beautifully intricate.

Really fascinating to read about. Lovely job! What tuning are you using?

https://earlymusicmuse.com/gitternshorthistory/

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Originally Posted by MrMoe

Really facinating to read about. Lovely job! What tuning are you using?

https://earlymusicmuse.com/gitternshorthistory/

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Thanks both! This is tuned in all fourths.

I should add that they were historically carved out of a solid block of wood, but mine are constructed from ribs like a small lute.

https://i.imgur.com/Co3I547.jpg

Very nice!
Yes the avian creature is great, gives you a feeling of how different we were at that time.
I was wondering, when they made them from solid wood, what types?

Thanks for posting this, Jo. I always enjoy seeing your creations. This one is especially to my taste. Simply beautiful!

Best wishes,

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Simon DS

Very nice!
Yes the avian creature is great, gives you a feeling of how different we were at that time.
I was wondering, when they made them from solid wood, what types?

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As in which woods? I'd imagine any European hardwood suitable for carving. There aren't many surviving, but one surviving gittern made by Hans Oth in Nürnberg (Nuremberg) in what is today Germany in 1450 was made from Maple.

Sound and video sample:

That has a powerful yet sweet sound for a fairly small body, Jo. Is this due to the separate soundboard and ribbed construction rather than the mediaeval carved construction? I am assuming you have the frets positioned to give semitone intervals?

As always, thanks for posting the pictures and the clip. Your work is wonderful to look at, and I enjoy hearing the instruments played. Please do keep posting as you build more.