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Mandobass

The Mandobass is the largest (and least common) member of the mandolin family, sometimes used as the bass instrument in mandolin orchestras. It is so large that players usually hold it like a double bass—upright and supported on an endpin that rests on the floor. The neck-scale length on a full-size mando-bass is similar to that of a standard orchestral double bass viol: about 43 inches (110 cm).[1] The instrument is otherwise similar to the smaller, higher-pitched members of the mandolin family, having a fretted neck, a headstock with geared tuning machines, and a large resonating body often—but not always—shaped like other mandolins.

Classification

String instruments

Plucked string instrument

The large four-string mandobass has a much longer neck and is tuned EADG, like a or bass guitar. It was popular in early 20th century American and European mandolin ensembles. Early examples had very large bodies and were often played in an upright position like a double bass.[1] Later examples often have smaller bodies and are intended to be played guitar style.[2]

double bass

The small four-string mandobass is identical, but built on a smaller scale and usually tuned either GDAE, two octaves below the mandolin, or CGDA, two octaves below the mandola. Though not as resonant as the larger instrument, players often preferred it as easier to handle and more portable.[3]

[2]

The eight-string mandobass, or "tremolo-bass", relatively rare, is built exactly like a mandolin but is much larger and tuned either GDAE, two octaves lower than the mandolin, or CGDA, two octaves below the mandola.[5]

[4]

There are three main variants of the mandobass:

Tuning and playing[edit]

As noted earlier, several tunings were employed for the mando-bass, depending on the style and size of the individual instrument, player's preference, and the requirements of the music to be performed. Tuning on the full-sized 4-string instrument was commonly in fourths, and identical to the orchestral double bass: E1 A1 D2 G2. This tuning was favored in both America and also quite common in Europe. Smaller, shorter-scaled instruments were more usually tuned in fifths, two octaves below the mandolin: G1, D2 A2 E3. In Europe, especially, this tuning was sometimes preferred even for the larger instrument.


The eight-string instrument appears to always have been tuned in fifths, either two octaves below the mandolin: G1 D2 A2 E3, or two octaves below the mandola: C1, G1, D2 A2. There is scant information as to how common this lower tuning (lower-ranging than the orchestral double bass) was, or in what circumstances people used it.


In playing the instrument, the left hand stops the strings against the top surface of the neck (fingerboard) for different pitches, in the same method as other stringed instruments. Given the scale of the neck and the presence of frets, the left-hand "feel" of the instrument is similar to a modern electric bass guitar.


As with tunings, right-hand playing methods varied. Photographs of the instrument in use show some players using a traditional mandolin technique with a plectrum (pick), while others play the instrument with bare fingers like pizzicato on the double bass. Tremolo is possible with either playing method, but somewhat more difficult that on higher pitched instruments due to the thickness of the bass strings.

Mandolin

Mandola

Octave mandolin

Mandocello

Acoustic bass guitar

A traditionally shaped mandobass.