| The mandolin is the soprano member of the mandolin | | | | scale length is typically about 25 inches (635 mm). |
| family, just as the violin is the soprano member of the | | | | Note that a violoncello scale is 27" (686mm). |
| violin family. Similar to the violin, the instrument scale | | | | The Greek laouto is actually a mandocello, ordinarily |
| length is typically about 13 inches (330 mm). | | | | tuned D-G-D-A, with half of each pair of the lower |
| So what are the different types of mandolin that can | | | | two courses that are being tuned an octave high on a |
| be found? Well, below is a list of some of the main | | | | lighter gauge string. The body is a staved bowl, the |
| type of mandolin: | | | | saddle-less bridge is glued to the flat face like most |
| The mandola (US and Canada), termed the tenor | | | | ouds and lutes, with mechanical tuners, steel strings |
| mandola in Europe, Ireland and the UK, which is tuned | | | | and tied gut frets. Modern laoutos, as played on Crete, |
| to a fifth below the typical mandolin, in the same | | | | have the whole lower course tuned in octaves as well |
| relationship as that of the viola to the violin. Some | | | | as being tuned a reentrant octave above the |
| people also call this instrument the "alto mandola." The | | | | expected D. The instrument scale length is typically |
| instrument scale length is typically about 16.5 inches | | | | about 28 inches (712mm). |
| (420 mm). It is normally tuned like a viola, which is: | | | | The mando-bass, has 4 single strings, rather than |
| C-G-D-A. | | | | double courses, and it is tuned like a double bass. |
| The octave mandolin (US and Canada), termed the | | | | These were made by the Gibson company in the |
| octave mandola or mandole in Europe, Ireland, and the | | | | early twentieth century, but appear to have never |
| UK, which is tuned an octave lower than the mandolin. | | | | been common. Most of the mandolin orchestras will |
| The instrument scale length is typically about 20 inches | | | | prefer to use the ordinary double bass, rather than a |
| (500 mm), although such instruments with scales as | | | | specialized mandolin family instrument. |
| short as 17 inches (430 mm) or as long as 21 inches | | | | The piccolo or sopranino mandolin is a rare member of |
| (530 mm) are not unknown. | | | | the mandolin family, tuned one octave above the tenor |
| The mandocello, which is classically tuned to an octave | | | | mandola and one fourth above the mandolin; the same |
| and a fifth below the mandolin, in the same relationship | | | | relation as that of the piccolo or sopranino violin to the |
| as that of the cello to the violin: C-G-D-A. Today, it is | | | | violin and viola. The instrument scale length is typically |
| quite frequent that it is restrung for octave mandolin | | | | about 9.5 inches (240 mm). |
| tuning or the Irish bouzouki's GDAD. The instrument | | | | |