(Serial # none) Excellent condition. Stefan Sobell builds the finest instrument for Celtic music in the world. He calls this build a cittern - a long scale double course instrument, usually tuned either GDAD or GDAE. I usually tune it GDAE, and play it as an octave mandolin. This is an early instrument, made at Turf House, before the move to the Old School. This is the sound you hear on all the classic Irish and Celtic recordings in the 70s and 80s - Battlefield Band, Boys of the Lough, Planxty, and artists like Donal Luney and Andy Irvine. This instrument is built with Indian rosewood back and sides, cedar top and mahogany neck. The fingerboard is slightly wider than a Gibson to allow quick rolls and triplets. Scale length is 23", which gives amazing sustain. Nut is 1.5 inch. Neck is straight, neck angle is good, frets are fine. The bridge, although different from my other Sobell appears to be original and is fit well to the top. This 13.5 inch wide cittern also has gold tuners, brass Sobell one piece tailpiece, and an ebony fingerboard. Fitted with an internal pickup and endpin jack. Action is low and comfortable. Very loud instrument that will cut through sessions with ease. Deep woody round tone and very clear notes. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Nathan Beaumont.(This is his first time ever playing a cittern. He done good!) Comes with the original very beat blue fiberglass Bill Flatman hardshell case, lined with genuine Papa Smurf hide.
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