IRISH BOUZOUKIS AND CITTERNS
Who?? What?? Well....basically these are large Mandolin family instruments. They evolved from the 1960s and 1970s Irish folk music revival when Greek Bouzoukis were being played as background rhythm instruments.
This sound quickly became very desirable. Local luthiers fused the Greek Bouzouki with the earlier Cittern and came up with a new instrument, the "Irish Bouzouki". Confusion doesn't stop here. Depending on who you ask, they can be called Octave Mandolins, Bouzoukis, Citterns, etc. To simplify matters, I call my 8-string (4-course) instruments Irish Bouzoukis and my 10-string (5-course) instruments Citterns. Each has a distinct sound.

My preference for the Bouzouki top wood is Western Cedar. This gives a darker, warmer, more primitive sound. Spruce can be substituted, giving a brighter tone with a bit more projection and bite.

For the Citterns, I prefer Redwood tops. This produces a very clean piano or bell-like tone, with a fast response. This makes for a superior solo instrument. Arch top models are available on a custom order basis only.

The following specification list shows my Standard Models. A 20-¾" scale length is also available, as well as a deep-body Bouzouki.
CLICK HERE FOR BOUZOUKI AND CITTERN SPECIFICATIONS
AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

CLICK HERE FOR PRICE LIST
Bouzoukis and Citterns
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Bouzoukis and Citterns
I invite you to browse through my website.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Gernandt Stringed Instruments
240 N. Panther Branch Road
Bryson City, NC 28713
EMAIL bob@gernandt.com
ph 828.488.1144