I have the Octave/Cittern Bug

Celtic983 · Post by **Celtic983** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:12 am

I am considering buying a cittern or an octave mandolin. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with either Bill Peterson and his Leval 1 octave mandolins, Doug Dieter or any other maker who's price range is right at, or right under $1000. Thanks for any info in advance!

SteveK · Post by **SteveK** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:20 am

I had a Peterson cittern. It was a pretty good instrument but it sure didn't sound like a bouzouki. I didn't really feel it was as good as a bouzouki for accompaniment work and I never really learned to play tunes on it. That was where it sounded best. It had a big sound box and I think it was too large for the sound that I wanted. I don't have any experience with Doug Dieter's instruments but I have always heard good things about them.

Are you a member of the cittern list? It's a Yahoo group. I've lost a bunch of bookmarks and can't direct you to it.

Steve

Celtic983 · Post by **Celtic983** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 8:35 am

Thanks Steve, I am not a member of the cittern list. Right now, I only play a LITTLE mandolin. I really would prefer a cittern as, correct me if I am wrong, they are a bit easier than a bouzouki to pick melody (stretch wise), but have a fuller sound for accompliament than an Octave

SteveK · Post by **SteveK** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:21 am

If you get a 10-string cittern with a scale length of 22-23" you can tune it GDAEA (or maybe GDADA). At any rate the A on the top course makes it much easier to get the high notes of a tune. Also it's easier to make certain stretches on an instrument with that scale. An important one is the G-B interval on the fourth and third strings. Tunes canbe played on a full scale bouzouki (25-26"). Brian Taheny of Toronto plays his bouzouki very, very well. It's difficult though. Even an octave mandolin (back to 22-23") is easier to play than a long bouzouki. Some short scale instruments sound very nice and do well for accompaniment. Sobells, for instance. They're expensive, though.

Steve

Celtic983 · Post by **Celtic983** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:28 am

Yeah, thats what I thought. I have a trinity zouk, but the action is horrible (and no set up will fix it...it is built wrong) Man, I am biting at the reins to get one now!!!! MUST HAVE A CITTERN

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:23 pm

I have been wantig one myself for back up. I know the chords because I used to play regular Mando and now play Tenor Banjo, but never at a session because I haven't learned a bunch of tunes so I usually stick to Flute. Which is why I want a back up instrument, for the tunes that i don't know on Flute. Don Kawalek maeks a build it yourself Octave Mandolin, but will build one and sell it for $700, I am planning on buying a kit to build once I get some money from Flute and Whsitle sales. His kits and instruments have gotten good feeback on the CBOM forum on Mandolin Cafe.

IrishPiper42 · Post by **IrishPiper42** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:22 pm

I have a Petersen Level 3 bouzouki and I love it. I think it's the best deal going in ' zouks.

Celtic983 · Post by **Celtic983** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:08 pm

I don't know, I am really really really being pulled by davy stuart's OX model cittern. I MUST HAVE ONE!!!!!!! I am becoming obssesed

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:49 pm

A friend of mine has a Petersen Level two for sale on the Mandolin Cafe Classifieds, but that might not last long.