Weber Big Horn, 10 string, 27" Scale, Mandocello

[Bernie Daniel]

Bruce says, 'Trade secrets'...

Now that is how an oval mandocello should be braced -- no top sag under the bridge with that arrangement!!!!

Are the parallel short pieces intended as tone bars -- or just more bracing?

Can you tell me how wide the nut is?

Hey I just thought of something - - how about a pie plate sized Virzi?

[Mary Weber]

Bruce says: The parallel pieces are both tone bars and bracing, and the nut width is 1 7/8" And about the virzi..he read this, got a half-smile and a far-a-way look and said, 'The D hole would make it easier to take out later'.

[Bernie Daniel]

Thanks for the information! I'd like to figure out a way to re-brace my 1936 K-1 with the arrangement. It would certainly eliminate the top sag under the bridge I'll bet!

[kidgloves2]

Wow, I really idolize Bruce. He's like a modern day Stradivarius.

I really hope we get a video of this thing in action.

[wootis]

Here it is in finished form- sound sample to follow
Curt Winter

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...1&l=d2dcdddcfe

[Mary Weber]

Can't wait for the sound clips! Here are some more pics.

[Beanzy]

Wow.
For me this instrument represents everything a mandocello should be.
The design is all about style supporting the function, but still allowing stylistic elements to have their place.

Exquisite.

[Tavy]

Wow, that's some instrument you have there, congratulations to all involved!

[Bernie Daniel]

Wow, that's some instrument you have there, congratulations to all involved!

Yes it certainly is! Since it has 5 courses should it technically be called a cittern-cello or cello-cittern? Not that it matters.

I was wondering if either Curt or Mary could give us some of the other specs on it? length, width, depth of the sound cavity, and nut width etc.? Thanks.

[kidgloves2]

Is there video or audio of this beautiful instrument yet?

[kidgloves2]

Since it has 5 courses should it technically be called a cittern-cello or cello-cittern? Not that it matters.

I finally found the name of this instrument. It's called a Liuto cantabile. Sometimes called a Liuto Moderno.

[Jimdalf]

Thanks for resurrecting the thread, the instrument looks awesome.
Does this mean that what people like to call citterns these days are really liuto cantabiles?

[Mandobart]

I still dream of a similar instrument of my own some day. Any sound files yet?

[kidgloves2]

Thanks for resurrecting the thread, the instrument looks awesome.
Does this mean that what people like to call citterns these days are really liuto cantabiles?

I think the names can be used interchangeably. There are lot's of citterns on youtube, but they don't have the scale length of this instrument. And they seem to use lighter strings.

Speaking of dreaming, I would love an F style. With 25" scale though.

[tmsweeney]

very cool, I'm guessing it is technically a cittern if cittern can be technically referenced?
27 " scale with 5 5ths would be stretch for me.

[TheMandoShop]

That's what I call using your head Bruce Jr.

[Jim Garber]

Since it has 5 courses should it technically be called a cittern-cello or cello-cittern?.

I know this is a resurrected thread. I must have missed it on the first go around. At the turn of the last century Raphael Calace played a similar strung instrument tho a bowlback called a liuto cantabile. The scale was somewhat shorter tho tuned the same. He also composed music for this instrument.

Here is a thread about these instruments with some photos.

A video of a duet by Calace for mandolin and liuto