The Ultimate Workshop Guide to Building Irish Bouzoukis and Citterns

The Bouzouki Book: A Workshop Guide to Building Irish Bouzoukis and Citterns

by Graham McDonald

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4061 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	255 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Building Irish bouzoukis and citterns can be a rewarding and challenging experience. These instruments are both beautiful and complex, and the process of creating them requires a combination of skill, patience, and attention to detail. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to build your own Irish bouzouki or cittern, from selecting the right materials to finishing the instrument.

Getting Started

Before you begin, it's important to gather the necessary tools and materials. You will need:

* A workbench * A set of chisels * A set of gouges * A spokeshave * A sanding block * A variety of sandpaper * A fret saw * A drill * A hammer * A set of nails * A set of screws * A glue * A finish * A set of strings * A tuning key

Once you have gathered your tools and materials, you can begin the process of building your instrument.

Choosing the Right Materials

The first step in building an Irish bouzouki or cittern is to choose the right materials. The most common materials used for these instruments are mahogany, rosewood, and maple. Mahogany is a good choice for beginners, as it is a relatively soft wood that is easy to work with. Rosewood is a more expensive wood, but it produces a beautiful sound and is very durable. Maple is a hard wood that is less common, but it can produce a very bright sound.

In addition to the body wood, you will also need to choose a wood for the neck and fingerboard. Ebony is a popular choice for the fingerboard, as it is a very hard wood that is resistant to wear. Mahogany is a good choice for the neck, as it is a strong wood that is easy to work with.

Building the Body

The body of an Irish bouzouki or cittern is made up of two main parts: the top and the back. The top is made of a thin piece of wood, while the back is made of a thicker piece of wood. The top and back are joined together by a set of ribs.

To build the body, you will first need to cut out the top and back from your chosen wood. The top should be cut to a slightly larger size than the back, so that it can be overlapped when the two pieces are joined together. The ribs should be cut to a length that is equal to the circumference of the body.

Once you have cut out the top, back, and ribs, you can begin to assemble the body. First, apply a thin layer of glue to the edges of the ribs. Then, place the top on top of the ribs and align the edges. Use a hammer and nails to secure the top to the ribs. Next, place the back on top of the ribs and align the edges. Use a hammer and nails to secure the back to the ribs.

Once the body is assembled, you can begin to shape it. Use a spokeshave to round off the edges of the body. Then, use a sanding block and sandpaper to smooth the surface of the body.

Building the Neck

The neck of an Irish bouzouki or cittern is made up of two main parts: the headstock and the fingerboard. The headstock is the part of the neck that contains the tuning pegs. The fingerboard is the part of the neck that the strings are pressed against to produce sound.

To build the neck, you will first need to cut out the headstock and fingerboard from your chosen wood. The headstock should be cut to a shape that is similar to the headstock of a guitar. The fingerboard should be cut to a length that is equal to the length of the neck.

Once you have cut out the headstock and fingerboard, you can begin to assemble the neck. First, glue the fingerboard to the headstock. Then, use a set of screws to secure the fingerboard to the headstock.

Once the neck is assembled, you can begin to shape it. Use a spokeshave to round off the edges of the neck. Then, use a sanding block and sandpaper to smooth the surface of the neck.

Installing the Frets

Once the neck is shaped, you can begin to install the frets. Frets are small metal bars that are inserted into the fingerboard to mark the different notes.

To install the frets, you will first need to mark the locations of the frets on the fingerboard. You can do this by using a fret saw to cut a series of slots into the fingerboard. The slots should be cut at the same distance apart, and they should be deep enough to accommodate the frets.

Once you have cut the slots, you can insert the frets. To do this, simply press the frets into the slots until they are flush with the surface of the fingerboard. Use a hammer and a nail to secure the frets in place.

Finishing the Instrument

Once the frets are installed, you can begin to finish the instrument. The first step is to apply a thin layer of finish to the body and neck. You can use any type of finish that you like, but a traditional finish for Irish bouzoukis and citterns is shellac.

Once the finish has dried, you can begin to assemble the instrument. First, attach the neck to the body using a set of screws. Then, attach the strings to the tuning pegs and tune the instrument.

Your Irish bouzouki or cittern is now complete! You can now enjoy playing this beautiful and unique instrument.

Building an Irish bouzouki or cittern can be a rewarding and challenging experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a beautiful and unique instrument that will provide you with years of enjoyment.

The Bouzouki Book: A Workshop Guide to Building Irish Bouzoukis and Citterns

by Graham McDonald

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4061 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	255 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE