I also use a Sobell guitar-bouzouki. This instrument augments the guitar really well in Altan and the effect is to give a very broad sound spectrum which creates a great atmosphere for the songs. Stefan's instruments are always built to the highest standards and I've never heard an instrument of his that was less than great. Ciaran Curran Ciaran Curran currently plays with Altan. Dave Richardson , Boys of the Lough.
Plays Sobell large rosewood mandolin and small octave mandolin.
In the early 1970s Stefan Sobell began to make citterns and mandolins for musicians playing traditional Irish and Scottish music. I was involved in discussions about the characteristics which would be useful for playing this music. I was looking for something with a strong clear tone and good sustain and that would be easy to play, having a good wide fingerboard and positive frets. As the lucky recipient of one of his very first citterns, I was able to use the new sounds available from this instrument with the Boys of the Lough. Using drone strings and open tunings with the other melody instruments we created an ensemble sound that was very different from music tied to more conventional chordal accompaniment.