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Jonathan's Irish Bouzouki, Cittern, Mandolin Guide

History

The modern instruments known as the Cittern, Irish Bouzouki, and Octave Mandolin have become very popular in Irish and Scottish music since the 1960s. Makers, such as Stephan Sobell, have created a wide variety of of these larger mandolin-style instruments. They generally have nearly circular or teardrop shaped bodies, and scale lengths from 50cm to 68cm (approx. 20" to 26.5"). Strung in 4 or 5 2-string courses, they have no accepted standard tuning

Other Index Sites

Han's Bouzouki Site

Mandolin Café

Mark Fitzsimmons' Cittern FAQ

Instrument Builders

• Graham McDonald Australia
• Stephan Sobell U.K.
• Joe Foley Ireland
• P.W. Crump Co. United States
• Kennaquhair United States
• Goldenwood United States
• Oakwood Fretted Instruments United Kingdom
• Steven Owsley Smith United States
• Trillium Octave Mandolins United States
• Bardsong United States
• Sound to Earth/Weber United States
• The Musical Workshop United States
• Triskelion United States

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