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Thread: A medieval citole

  1. #1
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default A medieval citole

    Here's a medieval citole which I built for a customer here in the UK:



    And here's a sound and video sample I did before it was shipped out:

    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

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  3. #2
    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Lovely instrument with a beautiful tone.

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  5. #3

    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Nice to see your work in the Wikipedia article on this recreation.
    Looks like proof that brave sailors from Genoa, ca 1300, made it to the Sandwich Islands 500 years before Cook, and planted the uke!

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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Very nice sounding, and I love the checkerboard fretboard!

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  9. #5

    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Lovely! How is it tuned?
    Ellis A5 Tradition, Red Diamond F5, Duff F5, D35, Gliga violin.
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    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Romkey View Post
    Lovely! How is it tuned?
    In the video it's tuned AEAD, but also works well with all fourths BEAD.
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

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    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Yet another little gem, Jo. You certainly have a real flair for producing those amazing instruments, and this one sounds great too. Will the customer also play it with the quill-like pick you are using?
    I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. - Eric Morecambe

    http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOldBores

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  15. #8
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kelly View Post
    Yet another little gem, Jo. You certainly have a real flair for producing those amazing instruments, and this one sounds great too. Will the customer also play it with the quill-like pick you are using?
    Yep, they also ordered 2 feather plectrums which I made for them. By the way, I'm actually using an oud risha/mezrab in the video, not a feather plectrum.
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Very nice!

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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Quote Originally Posted by Richard500 View Post
    Looks like proof that brave sailors from Genoa, ca 1300, made it to the Sandwich Islands 500 years before Cook, and planted the uke!
    Corollary note: the Hawaiian term for "mandolin" is "kaku pukiki," IIRC, which translates as "Portuguese guitar." IIRC.
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Nice work!
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    "Good judgment is the product of experience. Experience is the product of bad judgment" -- old aviation proverb

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  22. #12
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Here are some pictures taken during the construction process:






    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

  23. #13
    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    More amazing work, Jo. The checkered fingerboard looks great - is this common on those instruments? Thanks for posting.
    I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. - Eric Morecambe

    http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOldBores

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  25. #14
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kelly View Post
    More amazing work, Jo. The checkered fingerboard looks great - is this common on those instruments? Thanks for posting.
    Not super common, but it is shown in some illustrations. The customer requested it, and I agree it works well.
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

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  27. #15
    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Quote Originally Posted by Dusepo View Post
    Here's a medieval citole which I built for a customer here in the UK:



    And here's a sound and video sample I did before it was shipped out:

    After listening to this video a few times, and some of your other videos I'd like to ask what kind of strings you are using.

    They have a really interesting sound.

    Are they commercially available?

  28. #16
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Quote Originally Posted by BoxCarJoe View Post
    After listening to this video a few times, and some of your other videos I'd like to ask what kind of strings you are using.

    They have a really interesting sound.

    Are they commercially available?
    It depends on the instrument and what the customer wants.
    The strings used on this citole were nylon oud strings. The brand is 'Gold', made in Germany by a Turkish company.
    I also offer gut and nylgut on my instruments (of course the steel-strung instruments have steel).
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

  29. #17
    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: A medieval citole

    Quote Originally Posted by Dusepo View Post
    It depends on the instrument and what the customer wants.
    The strings used on this citole were nylon oud strings. The brand is 'Gold', made in Germany by a Turkish company.
    I also offer gut and nylgut on my instruments (of course the steel-strung instruments have steel).
    Thanks.
    I'm absolutely sure your instruments are the major factor in the sound your getting, but I can hear those strings.
    I may try those Oud strings on one of my single course mandolas.

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