Gitterns

A gittern was the first instrument I ever built when I started learning luthiery in 1989. I based my original designs on the only known surviving example of the instrument, a five course gittern made by Hans Ott in Nuremberg c.1450, a period in which I would suggest the use of gitterns was in decline (incredibly for such an early period, it has a maker’s label inside it). However, I have never directly copied this instrument, my designs have always been very much my own - what I refer to as the ‘Stevens model’.

Judging by all the earlier iconographic evidence, gitterns had changed very little in concept over approximately the preceding two centuries (although the number of strings, or courses of strings, may have varied between 3 and 6). Additionally, the vast majority of imagery appears to show them with a floating bridge, as opposed to my favoured glued-on approach - this is why in 2024, I am also offering a ‘Cantigas model’, which is intended to have fewer strings and a floating bridge - see below for details.

I have now made quite a considerable number of gitterns - sometimes tweaking the designs here and there to meet the needs of individual customers - whilst travelling the learning curve.

 Tuning & information

Neck and body carved from solid.

 Suggested tunings
Short scale: top string at c''
Long scale: top string a 5th lower 

I have been able to accommodate quite a number of different tuning variations for previous customers. I would suggest the intervals primarily as 4ths. You can have a 3rd in somewhere if you wish or a 5th, or a mixture of 4ths and 5ths, there are a number of possibilities.

I would only say here that if you wanted all 5ths then it may be better to go for a 4 course, or less, instrument. Usually I go for tunings based on a D chord for the small gittern and a G chord for the large gittern most people seem happy with this: d, a, d', g', c'' and G, d, g, c', f' but really pretty much any tuning configuration is possible between the size variations I offer, feel free to tell me what you have in mind. 

The scale lengths I use are from 45 cm. Seven frets is plenty for gitterns but I also make them with nine (or more) if you wish (usually on the long scale). The prices below refer to my usual set up with 7 or 9 strings respectively (single top or single bass) but feel free to request other configurations. Basic prices below refer to a composite body construction.

Pricing

Offered with sound hole decoration (rose) where appropriate and nylon strings as standard. Additional decorations, carving, half edging, gut strings etc. are possible extras, as is neck and body all from one piece, or a completely monoxyle construction (one piece including pegbox as well). Cases are available on request.

Cantigas Model

Tuning & information

Based on imagery from the 13th c. Spanish Cantigas de Santa Maria. Scale length 45cm.

Floating bridge. I am suggesting a tuning of a fifth below fourths across 4 courses - g, d, g’, c’’.

Double or single courses optional. Soundboard holes as shown.

Carved and hollowed composite construction as standard with monoxyle neck and body construction an option.

Please inquire for pricing