mandocello type instrument

Subject: mandocello type instrument
From: GUEST,campion
Date: 16 Mar 02 - 11:50 PM

Has anyone ever seen an instrument that is lute backed, roughly the size of a mandocello or maybe a bouzouki, but which is strung with six strings and tuned like a guitar? I have seen a couple of these over the years; one was played by Ian Anderson and the other by one of those eighteenth century "recereators" or "reenactors" at a recreation of the Battle of Bennington.

Subject: RE: mandocello type instrument
From: GUEST,zac
Date: 17 Mar 02 - 09:48 AM

I remember seeing a similar instrument in the mid to late 60's in a music store in Birmingham Alabama-- it seems that it may have been made by ( or for) the Baldwin company--it was tuned like a guitar, and seemed to be just a lute shaped guitar-- a gimic to reach that young guitarist that really couldn't play all that well yet, but wanted to "stand out"--

Subject: RE: mandocello type instrument
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 17 Mar 02 - 12:19 PM

Yeah, lots of those have turned up in Toronto over the years. Even owned one once. They're simply "Lute shaped" guitars, and I guess there was a market for them. The most recent onces I've seen appear to be about 80 years old and are European (German?) made. The biggest problem seems to be that none of them were braced very well, and even with nylon strings, there's a lot of sound-board warpage.

Rick

Subject: RE: mandocello type instrument
From: GUEST,Willie-O
Date: 17 Mar 02 - 12:51 PM

Giannini (Brazilian guitar co.) made sort of lute-shaped classical guitars for quite a while.

If it has six strings and a guitar fingerboard, and is tuned in fourths, it's a guitar, no matter what shape the body. Git-banjos excluded, they are an abomination ;)=

But if it has twelve strings, its a cittern, not a twelve-string.

I think. Got to go figure now....

W-O

Subject: RE: mandocello type instrument
From: Gypsy
Date: 18 Mar 02 - 11:30 AM

Is that what a "lutar" looks like?

Subject: RE: mandocello type instrument
From: Steve-o
Date: 18 Mar 02 - 01:47 PM

....and if it has six strings strung in double courses, and a skinny but long neck, it's the ancient Greek bouzouki (current ones have eight strings strung in double courses).

Subject: RE: mandocello type instrument
From: Fortunato
Date: 18 Mar 02 - 03:21 PM

I saw a six string lute shaped guitar in 1962. It was, I think, made by Framus. Even the head stock was bent back like a lute. It was smaller than a lute, had nylon strings and a small sound. It was really a novelty instrument used in a comedy folk act by I guy whose name I can't remember. He often played at Patches One Step Down, a coffee house in Tomonium, Maryland.

Subject: RE: mandocello type instrument
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 18 Mar 02 - 11:19 PM

Yup, Framus and Hofner made 'em.

I'll try and get a friend of mine who's played and recorded with one to drop by and do some 'splainin'

Rick

Subject: RE: mandocello type instrument
From: GUEST,Beverlie Robertson
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 10:39 AM

I have a lute guitar & have owned it for 40 years. It was quite old when I bought it from a Greek antique instruments dealer in New York. That's a folk ballad in itself...but some other time. It's probably about 65 years old now. It is German made by Hoefner perhaps when they were sturdier or better quality. Mine will not support steel strings, but I have been gigging with it (nightly for about 25 years) & still use it when appropriate. The only time it needed repair was when I tried the silk & steel experiment. Other than that, the neck is fine, body still free of cracks, easy action, good round volume, no problems. The short neck limits any guitar histrionics, but it's a lovely instrument for accomanying songs & I made a good living playing it. Nothing could make me part with it. If you have any questions about the "care & feeding" please email me privately as I don't subscribe to this list. Actually, care & feeding has been non-existent! I should be kinder to it.

Subject: RE: mandocello type instrument
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 10:44 AM

Thanks Beverlie.

Love

Rick and heather