Description
Caglama – Double Pick Up: A Hybrid Between Electric Guitar and Baglama
The Caglama is a hybrid string instrument that fuses the amplified voice of the electric guitar with the long-necked modal character of the Turkish baglama. Originally conceived by Turkish musician Ömür Kılıçarslan, it was developed as an experimental instrument designed to bridge Anatolian modal traditions and Western electric playing. The C1 Series is one configuration in the New Generation line, crafted by the Tapadum Team at our workshop in Brisighella, Italy.
This version is fitted with a Double Epiphone pickup setup, designed for players who want to integrate the Caglama into stage, studio, and ensemble contexts where amplified clarity and tonal flexibility matter.
Materials and Construction
The body is built from Mulberry wood, a tonewood used historically in Turkish lutes and bowed instruments for its warm midrange and clear projection. The top is crafted from Elm, contributing a slightly brighter resonance that complements the body’s warm midrange.
The neck is shaped from Ash wood, chosen for its stability and balanced tonal response across the instrument’s range. The fingerboard is built in Afromosia, an African hardwood prized for its dense playing surface and durability under expressive use. A custom bridge is fitted to maintain accurate intonation along the long-scale neck.
Pickup and Electronics
The defining electronic feature of this Caglama is the Double Epiphone pickup configuration, which captures both the percussive attack of plectrum work and the sustained tonal character of fingered passages. The pickups translate dynamic nuance with fidelity, allowing players to move between clean acoustic-style amplification and effects-driven signal chains without losing instrument identity.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Mulberry |
| Top Material | Elm |
| Neck Material | Ash Wood |
| Fingerboard | Afromosia |
| Pickup System | Double Epiphone |
| Bridge | Custom |
| Designer | Ömür Kılıçarslan (Turkey) |
| Crafted by | Tapadum Team, Brisighella, Italy |
Who the C1 Series Is For
The Caglama C1 Series suits musicians blending Anatolian, Mediterranean, or Middle Eastern modal traditions with electric production; baglama players seeking amplified expression beyond traditional acoustic projection; guitarists exploring long-scale modal repertoire; and studio composers looking for a distinctive hybrid voice in cinematic or world-fusion arrangements.
It is less appropriate for players who want a strictly acoustic baglama experience or an unmodified electric guitar — the Caglama is intentionally a third instrument, not a substitute for either.
Compatible Music Styles
The instrument adapts well to Anatolian rock and folk fusion, Mediterranean and Balkan modal genres, cinematic scoring, and experimental world-electric crossovers. It is not aimed at strict classical baglama repertoire, where an acoustic instrument remains the appropriate choice.
Care Notes
Store the Caglama in a stable humidity range of 40–55% and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or temperature extremes, which can affect both the wood and the pickup electronics. Wipe the strings after playing and check bridge intonation periodically. The Double Epiphone pickup system is reliable but should be inspected by a qualified technician if signal inconsistencies appear.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Caglama?
The Caglama is a hybrid string instrument that combines the long neck of the Turkish baglama with an electric-guitar-style body and pickup system. It was originally developed by Turkish musician Ömür Kılıçarslan as a bridge between modal Anatolian music and amplified Western playing.
Who designed the Caglama?
The Caglama was conceived and developed by Turkish musician Ömür Kılıçarslan. The instrument continues to evolve as different builders interpret his original design. The current C1 Series is crafted by the Tapadum Team in Brisighella, Italy.
What is the difference between the Caglama C1 and C2 Series?
Both share the same hybrid concept — Mulberry body, Ash neck, Afromosia fingerboard, and Double Epiphone pickup. The configurations differ primarily in top wood selection: the C1 Series uses an Elm top, while the C2 Series uses an Oak top. Beyond top material, both instruments are built to the same specification.
Is the Caglama suitable for traditional baglama playing?
The Caglama is not intended as a replacement for the acoustic baglama. While it accommodates baglama-style fingering and modal phrasing, its electric pickup and hybrid construction shift its tonal character toward fusion and amplified contexts. For purely traditional repertoire, an acoustic baglama remains the appropriate choice.
