As if the mandolin name-space weren't confusing enough! :-) I will not be held responsible for my butchery of the following... nonetheless:
Colascione - Generally a three-coursed instrument, often used in the Commedia del Arte'. Consistent with the first instrument shown here... and not necessarily related to...
Gallichon(e) (aka mandora, and perhaps occasionally liuto/leuto) - six- (or seven-, or eight-, or nine-) courses tuned to the intervals of the modern guitar with varieties in D, E, and A (Harris/Barber image) with additional courses tuned to fit the music as needed. Oft played in the 18th century in Germanic/Bohemian countries, with music by Brescianello, Teleman, Albrechtsberger etc. For a strange experience, check out the CD with Albrechtsberger's Concertos for Jews Harp and Mandora.... see if *you* can keep a straight face. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...ce&s=classical
Chittarone (aka theorbo) - Kapsberger and that crowd. Lute tuning with upper one or two courses tuned down an octave due to long string length. Very popular for continuo work and accompanying the voice. Similar to an archlute but for the upper courses and that theorbos are often single- rather than double-strung courses.
Guitarone - Modern gigantic gut-strung Mexican guitar on steroids... see your local mariachi band.
Eric
"The effect is pretty at first... It is disquieting to find that there are nineteen people in England who can play the mandolin; and I sincerely hope the number may not increase."
- George Bernard Shaw, Times of London, December 12, 1893
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