ARCHIVED • SOLD

1984 Grit Laskin Cittern

Serial # 300884. Perhaps better called a 10 string octave mandolin with a high B, this Laskin Cittern is a versatile and enchanting instrument. Five courses of strings tuned G-D-A-E-B allows for a seemingly infinite variety of voicings and hand positions, while its 20" scale length and roomy flat-top body offers warmth, richness, and ample volume. Built for Canadian Folk / Roots band Tanglefoot, the band's logo was engraved on the pearl heel cap. The instrument's intricate inlay features a turn of the century river driver or log jam worker steering a log with a "peavey"; and, even though the instrument is some 25 years old, Laskin's aptitude for artistic inlay work was already very well developed. The cittern is built finely curled maple and quartered spruce, tastefully purfled with alternating maple and rosewood, and bound with rosewood. Ivoroid bound ebony fingerboard, ivory bridge, bone nut, and improvised 10 string Schaller tuners. Structurally, the instrument is in excellent condition, however there is significant crazing in the lacquer finish and the back of the neck has seen much of its lacquer flaked-off. There is some pitting on the first five or so frets, particularly under the E and B strings, but despite this the cittern plays remarkably well.
With original hard shell case
On consignment
SOLD

1984 Grit Laskin Cittern

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