Tuning an Algerian Mondole as 'cello

[garryireland]

Hi guys, I have seen a few of these around lately and now my favourite instrument makers are offering a mondole. It seems to be tuned similar to a guitar without the high E string. They have 8 and 10 string versions. So question is, has anybody got one of these and how do you tunes it. I was thinking CGDA and if I go for the 10 string, add an E

http://www.moloneymusic.com/Products...BouzoukiFamily

NFI in the shop by the way, just so happens that Kieran imports these and is the only one in Ireland!!

[DavidKOS]

I've played a few Algerian made mandols, one of my friends is a Amazigh musician and is a master manol player.

His are all 4 course instruments, tuned DADG, the ADG being the same pitch as a guitar...or that G same as mandolin 4th string G.

They are made very much like a large flat-back European mandolin, and all seem to have a diamond-shape soundhole, but I've seen others with oval holes. I have also seen an old mandol with 5 courses, so they did make them that way too.



5 course



My friend and his 4 course mandol; Omar Ait-Vimoun.

Anyway with the right gauge strings you could tune it the way you wish.