Hi, Does anyone know how Petersen long-scale (~25-1/4") citterns were designed to be tuned? I'm considering a used one for CGDAE tuning, and want to be sure that's a reasonable tuning for it. Thanks!
Petersen cittern tuning
Hi, Does anyone know how Petersen long-scale (~25-1/4") citterns were designed to be tuned? I'm considering a used one for CGDAE tuning, and want to be sure that's a reasonable tuning for it. Thanks!
Re: Petersen cittern tuning
Like a Liuto - CGDAE is one of many ways an instrument like this can be tuned. I'm sure the Mandoleers will love it. By the way NAME will be performing in New Market on June 12, 2015 if you would like to make the trip.
Walt
Last edited by Walt Kuhlman; Feb-05-2015 at 12:37pm.
Re: Petersen cittern tuning
Thanks, Walt!
I put the NAME concert in my calendar. Look forward to it!
Re: Petersen cittern tuning
My Petersen cittern is CGDAE
Be true to your teeth, or they'll be false to you!
Re: Petersen cittern tuning
CGDAE is reasonable for a 25 1/4 scale. Perhaps more important is the gauge of the strings for the instrument in that pitch. The tuning is essentially a mandocello for the low four courses and octave mando for the high four. You might want to string it lighter than the big strings often used on mandocellos. An instrument like this is very versatile. It sits in the range of guitars and bouzoukis as well. You can also capo up to play tunes in the shorter ranges.
Re: Petersen cittern tuning
Mine is that scale length (a little over 25"). When I bought it, I emailed Petersen about it since I got it used and the previous owner didn't have much information on it. He recommended the gauges: .060 .044 .032 .020 and .010 for a CGDAE tuning.
Be true to your teeth, or they'll be false to you!
Re: Petersen cittern tuning
That seems reasonable. My Rosie is 25.4" scale and I'm tuned GDAE with .042, .040, .014 and .010.Originally Posted by Sweetpea44
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Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
Mixter 10 string mandola (still waiting 2+ yrs)
Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
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"Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce
Re: Petersen cittern tuning
Are those g and d courses not very similar Rob? I use. 040,.030,.017,.014. Just wondering how the lower courses sound
Re: Petersen cittern tuning
Was a typo - it's actually .040, .028, .014, .012.
=============================
Apollonio Acousto-electric bouzouki (in shop)
Mixter 10 string mandola (still waiting 2+ yrs)
Unknown brand Mandocaster (on the way!)
=============================
"Doubt begins only at the last frontiers of what is possible." -- Ambrose Bierce
Re: Petersen cittern tuning
Thanks, everyone. This is really helpful information!
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