GITTERN
This gittern is based on the detail illustrated in 'Crowning of the Virgin', by the Master of life of Mary (1465-1490) in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich. During the 14th Century it gained in popularity and ousted the citole. It remained popular with minstrels and amateur musicians of all classes until it was eclipsed by the lute and guitar in the 15th century.
The back, neck and peg box are made of one piece of sycamore. The fingerboard and soundboard are on the same plane. The sickle-shaped peg box makes a 90° angle at the neck and is curved into and arc ending in a carved animal head. There are no tied frets, the bridge is moveable, and the gut strings are attached to endpins (one for each course). There are four double coursed of gut strings. The rose is pierced into the soundboard. The fitments are in fruitwood, except for a bone nut.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 480mm
Maximum width: 137mm
Depth of back: 70mm
String length: 340mm
Tunings: g or a d g' c" / d g c' f' / c g b e'