In general, while both bandolim and cavaco are capable of the full range of musical expression, you'll find that the bandolim focuses much more on melogy, and the cavaco much more on rhythm.
Both are also harmony instruments, but the harmony seems to be couched in terms of the primary function of each instrument.
I think you'll find that your opportunities for melody will be much more constrained on cavaco than bandolim. On the other hand, you may not be as free with the bandolim to play rhythm. You can play rhythm on bandolim, but it's kind of a different animal. Hamilton de Holanda, at the Symposium a year ago, and probably a little tongue-in-cheek, frowned on trying to use the mandolin to play rhythm at all! #
My apologies if you already know all this. But if you're trying to make an either/or choice, these observations about typical use may help make that choice.
In a perfect world, you'd just get both and have a blast playing everything!
Doug Hoople
Adult-onset Instrumentalist (or was that addled-onset?)
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