Terry's weapon of choice?

**Tue Oct 03, 2006 11:07 pm**

looking at the live photos - they show Terry playing what looks like a cittern.

I play guitar, and dabble with the banjo - and would like more information on this instrument. I've looked around online, and have found some limited info.

Anybody know anything about tuning, strings, manufacturers?

Does Mr Woods frequent this forum?

**Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:47 am**

I think it's fair to say he doesn't, but I'm certain there are a number of Medusans who can offer you the info you're looking for.

**Sat Oct 07, 2006 12:42 am**

The cittern is a member of the lute family and is a Renaissance style guitar. For more info go to wikipedia.org

**Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:14 am**

Fylde Guitars of England (makers of my dream-boat whiskey guitar) make a pretty mean cittern, apparently.

**Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:54 pm**

Terry plays an 8-string cittern which I believe is tuned the way I tune mine -- GDAE - low to high. A cittern is essentially an octave mandolin or a short scale bouzouki, although most citterns have 10-strings tuned in various ways.

I found a lot of makers around the US and UK, but the wait time is very long (months to years). I am currently waiting for a new one being made for me in Inverness-Shire, Scotland. It should be done any day now. I'll let you know how his turns out when I receive it. I'm taking my chances with this luthier. I like his instruments based on his website alone.

You can find more information on this great instrument at http://www.mandolincafe.com

**Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:27 am**

I'm pretty sure that at least back in the day terry played a sobel cittern. could be wrong though.

**Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:12 am**

Behan wrote:Terry plays an 8-string cittern which I believe is tuned the way I tune mine -- GDAE - low to high. A cittern is essentially an octave mandolin or a short scale bouzouki, although most citterns have 10-strings tuned in various ways.

I found a lot of makers around the US and UK, but the wait time is very long (months to years). I am currently waiting for a new one being made for me in Inverness-Shire, Scotland. It should be done any day now. I'll let you know how his turns out when I receive it. I'm taking my chances with this luthier. I like his instruments based on his website alone.

You can find more information on this great instrument at http://www.mandolincafe.com

I finally received my new cittern from the Scottish Highlands this morning. The builder actually calls it an "octave mandola" but I prefer to call it a cittern -- It throws people off when they ask me what kind of an instrument it is. When I say "cittern", they all say "a sitar?" It looks and plays beautifully. It has a Celtic knot sound hole, as opposed to an oval or round one. A good luthier if I say so myself.

**Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:19 am**

Behan wrote:When I say "cittern", they all say "a sitar?"

A cistern? How much water that thing gonna hold?

**Fri Feb 23, 2007 3:37 pm**

Water you ask? Not water! Only the finest whiskey money can buy. :wink:

**Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:22 pm**

Behan - nice to hear you've received a new addition to your household!
Any photos of your new cittern? How long was the wait time?
If the Pogues would stop touring, I could save the money I'm spending on airline tickets and hotels, and find one for myself. There are a few luthiers in western Canada that make them, and I'm keen to get my hands on one.

**Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:53 am**

Behan wrote:Water you ask? Not water! Only the finest whiskey money can buy.

So its full of http://www.laphroaig.com/?

**Sat Feb 24, 2007 4:41 am**

Cdn Steve wrote:Behan - nice to hear you've received a new addition to your household!
Any photos of your new cittern? How long was the wait time?
If the Pogues would stop touring, I could save the money I'm spending on airline tickets and hotels, and find one for myself. There are a few luthiers in western Canada that make them, and I'm keen to get my hands on one.

It actually took nine months (ironic, eh?). It was well worth the wait. I originally wanted a Sobell, but he was asking for $7000 and at least a two year waiting time. I got this one for a lot less money and it's real nice. Nicer than I thought it was going to be. The neck is a little thicker than my other one, but it plays much easier. In fact, I can't go back to my old Trinity College anymore. The old one feels & sounds like shit after playing the new one.

**Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:56 pm**

Does anyone know the brand of Terry's cittern or the name of the luthier who built it?

**Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:50 pm**

Behan wrote:Terry plays an 8-string cittern which I believe is tuned the way I tune mine -- GDAE - low to high.

I think it's tuned CGDG.. (?)

**Mon May 26, 2008 2:46 pm**

Yep it's CGDG that's how I tune mine and it seems to be right.

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