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Thread: Mystery Electric Cittern

  1. #1

    Default Mystery Electric Cittern

    Hi all,

    First post here. I seem to have wandered into this electric cittern and I can find no information about it whatsoever. It is an extremely well crafted instrument and I haven't been able to find a single mark on it to give me any provenance. The only two clues I have are the humbucking pickups are 1980's carvins (there is an acoustic pickup as well with its own dedicated output) and there was a rumor that it might have come from the Pacific Northwest. Any information would be appreciated.

    Thanks, Dan

    More pictures are possible if that would help.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Electric Cittern

    Complete photos of headstock and back would help.

    First guess is G.D. Armstrong.
    http://www.gdarmstrong.com/
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

  3. #3
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Electric Cittern

    i have a dim memory of seeing an instrument very much like this one at Guitarville in Shoreline, WA ... some 18 years ago or thereabouts.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

  4. #4

    Default Re: Mystery Electric Cittern

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post
    Complete photos of headstock and back would help.

    First guess is G.D. Armstrong.
    http://www.gdarmstrong.com/
    Hi and thanks. Here you go.


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  5. #5
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Electric Cittern

    Have you looked under the truss rod cover and the electronics cavity cover? Some builders will hide a name, number or other info in there.

    The guitar builders that are coming to mind are Parker and Klein, but this is not enough like either of those to suggest a direct connection. It seems like there's a builder of guitars or basses that does a crazy little wing like this one has, but I'm not coming up with a name.

    If you Google "ergonomic guitars" you'll get lots of interesting stuff that looks vaguely like this. For example: https://www.manne.com/news/manne-gui...or-ergonomics/
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

  6. #6

    Default Re: Mystery Electric Cittern

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post
    Have you looked under the truss rod cover and the electronics cavity cover? Some builders will hide a name, number or other info in there.

    The guitar builders that are coming to mind are Parker and Klein, but this is not enough like either of those to suggest a direct connection. It seems like there's a builder of guitars or basses that does a crazy little wing like this one has, but I'm not coming up with a name.

    If you Google "ergonomic guitars" you'll get lots of interesting stuff that looks vaguely like this. For example: https://www.manne.com/news/manne-gui...or-ergonomics/
    Unfortunately I've been through the entire thing and there is nary a clue. The picture you included reminded me to check on my weird instrument forums and see if any of the builders there have any ideas.

  7. #7
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Mystery Electric Cittern

    Well, I did send a message to the chap who used to run Guitarville to see if he remembers anything.
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

    Notorious: My Celtic CD--listen & buy!

    Lyon & Healy • Wood • Thormahlen • Andersen • Bacorn • Yanuziello • Fender • National • Gibson • Franke • Fuchs • Aceto • Three Hungry Pit Bulls

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