Mandobass

A mandobass and a mandolin, from 1916. The small instrument is the mandolin, the large one is the mandobass.

The Mandobass is an instrument similar to the double bass. It is in related to the mandolin, and like the mandolin (and the lute), it is usually plucked. The most common version has four strings, which are usually tuned to E₁–A₁–D₂–G2. Another version exists, which is tuned to G₁–D₂–A₂–E_3; this is two octaves lower than the mandolin.

Other instruments in the family are the mandola, the octave mandolin and the mandocello.

These instruments have been in use since the 17th century.