Nearly bought a mandocello version about 25 years ago - uninspiring European budget design - not like this one - but none the worse for that. It weighed a huge amount though and although a little louder, the sound was very 'boxy'. Always regretted not getting it - in the week between seeing it and going back to get it, the shopowner had died and the shop had shut. Mind you, I had intended getting rid of the 'resonator' back and putting a plain one on!