Guitar-Cittern/Bouzouki
The Guitar-Cittern or Guitar-Bouzouki uses my SM small body shape designed to fit into a classical guitar case. It is similar in size to an OM or 000 Martin guitar but a little shorter in body length. The scale length is 625.5mm (others are available) and the neck join is at the 14th fret. The bracing is my take on the “x-brace” common in modern steel-string guitars. The headstock design is inspired by lute-style instruments.
This instrument is popular amongst Irish bouzouki or cittern players who wish to have a more ergonomically comfortable instrument and therefore want a guitar-shaped body rather than the teardrop shape. The sound is more guitar like, with a fuller bass response and blending across the range of frequencies compared to the teardrop shape in which the notes have more separation and the mid frequencies stand out more.
The Cittern has 10 strings in 5 courses and is usually tuned from low to high pitch: D,G,D,A,D however alternative tunings are possible. I have primarily made instruments in the “Nordic” style where the 2 thick D and G strings are wound nylon which gives a softer bass, however a full metal set is possible too. It is important to inform me what tuning and string type you are intending to use so I can adjust for this in the build. A bouzouki will be 8 strings in 4 courses, typically G,D,A,D.
Standard wood selection is with a mahogany or walnut neck, walnut back and sides, European spruce soundboard. Ebony fretboard and bridge. However it depends on what I have available in the workshop at the time. Please be in touch about this and I can accomodate or suggest many different options based on your needs as a player.
I have a range of New Zealand woods suitable for this instrument which would result in a unique look. The example pictured uses ancient kauri in the neck and puriri as the bridge, fingerboard, binding, and neck centre strip.
Standard hardware is with black Golden Age tuners and ebony bridge pins, nickel or EVO gold fretwire.
Options are plenty! You can add any of the following which will increase the price:
K&K style pickup installed (+200NZD)
Florentine Cutaway (+$400NZD)
Gotoh Mini 510 tuners (+150NZD)
Pin-point capos (enquire)
I have various other wood options which may increase the base price.
Estimated shipping costs are as follows:
North America - $125 USD
UK - 100 Pounds
Europe - 115 EURO
Australia - $80 AUD
New Zealand - $30 NZD
Please contact me for more accurate quotes as these are just estimates