Bouzouki & Cittern
Rooted in rich musical traditions, the bouzouki and cittern are versatile instruments with a storied history. The bouzouki, originally from Greece, gained prominence in Irish folk music in the mid-20th century, becoming a staple for its bright, resonant tones and rhythmic versatility. The cittern, dating back to the Renaissance, has evolved into a modern stringed instrument favored in Celtic and folk genres for its deep, harmonic resonance and melodic range.
I craft a range of bouzoukis, octave mandolins, and citterns, tailored to meet the diverse needs of players. Common tunings for four-course instruments include GDAE and GDAD, while my custom citterns and bouzoukis offer varying scale lengths to accommodate alternative tunings. Shorter cittern scales are ideal for a high A string, while longer fretboards suit a bass D string.
Each instrument can be designed to match your unique playing style—whether strumming or navigating the quick tempos of Celtic melodies. For amplified performance, I offer under-saddle pickups or K&K soundboard systems.
All Burgin guitars come with a premium hard case, ensuring your instrument is well-protected for a lifetime of music-making.
Burgin - Teardrop Bouzouki
Burgin Bouzoukis are expertly crafted in the classic teardrop shape, with most featuring a resonant Sitka spruce soundboard for a bright, balanced tone. Clients can choose from a range of premium hardwoods for the back and sides, tailoring the instrument's tonal character to their personal preferences.
Each bouzouki is built with a mahogany neck, a rosewood fretboard and binding, and fitted with an adjustable truss rod for enhanced stability and playability. We use Gotoh tuning machines for precise, reliable tuning. While our standard bouzouki scale length is approximately 600mm, we also offer fully customized builds to suit the unique specifications and playing styles of our clients.
Base model priced from $USD1830
Burgin - Shanghai Bouzouki
The Burgin "Shanghai" Bouzouki was originally designed for a client in China seeking a distinctive shape. Since then, it has become one of our signature models, favored for its unique aesthetics and ergonomic design that allows for comfortable playing without a strap.
This model features a slightly larger soundboard, delivering a fuller, more resonant tone with enhanced overtones compared to its teardrop-shaped counterpart. The "Shanghai" Bouzouki offers both visual flair and superior acoustic performance, making it a favorite among discerning musicians.
Base model priced from $USD2480
Burgin - Maccaferri (Octave Mandolin)
The Burgin Maccaferri Octave Mandolin is inspired by the iconic French Maccaferri guitar design, combining striking aesthetics with rich, resonant tone. Offering the choice of a traditional slotted or solid headstock, this instrument is crafted to suit your style. A range of premium tonewoods is available, including spruce or cedar for the top, with mahogany, rosewood, maple, or Tasmanian Blackwood for the back and sides, allowing you to create an instrument that is uniquely yours.
Base model priced from $USD2480
Burgin - Cittern
We have crafted dozens of citterns in both the classic teardrop shape and the distinctive double-pointed "Shanghai" style. Our citterns can be customized with either a longer scale for low D tuning or a shorter scale for G bass tuning, offering versatility to suit a variety of musical styles and tonal preferences.
Each instrument features a spruce soundboard, complemented by premium hardwood back and sides, carefully selected to meet the specific tonal and aesthetic needs of our clients. The result is a richly resonant, ringing tone that embodies the full, complex sound of a multi-string instrument.
Base model priced from $USD2790
