Instruments

Four centuries of sound.

The mandolin family is larger than many realise. A selection of the instruments we perform on — from the Baroque mandolin to the deep liuto cantabile: each with its own character, tuning and repertoire.

Photo: Alfred Woll

Baroque mandolin

Baroque

With a soft, overtone-rich sound — the instrument of the earliest mandolin literature. Six courses, fourth-third tuning: g – b – e' – a' – d'' – g'', with an ornate rose and fine mother-of-pearl engravings. A replica of a Presbler original, built in the workshop of luthier Alfred Woll.

Photo: Alfred Woll
woll-mandolinen.de/filano-1774/

Donatus Filano · Naples, 1774

Neapolitan original · 18th c.

A historic 18th-century original — the classic Neapolitan form with an angled top, deeply vaulted bowl body and fine mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell inlays around the rose. Restored by luthier Alfred Woll.

Photo: Alfred Woll
woll-mandolinen.de/vinaccia_1778/

Vinaccia Januarius · Naples, 1778

Neapolitan original · 18th c.

From the famous Neapolitan Vinaccia workshop — a slender maple bowl body, a richly decorated tortoiseshell pegbox and fine mother-of-pearl inlays along the fingerboard. Also restored by Alfred Woll.

Vinaccia Januarius · Naples, 1778 Detail

Neapolitan mandolin · c. 1910

Early 20th c.

The mandolin of the great virtuoso era — a strong, carrying tone for the concert hall. Steel strings, gear mechanics, massive body with ornate mother-of-pearl inlays and lacquer painting.

Liuto cantabile

Raffaele Calace · c. 1920 · bass register · 5 courses

A kind of mandocello with five courses C, G, d, a, e' — a rare instrument whose singing, voluminous depth forms the sonic foundation. This Liuto cantabile comes from the workshop of Raffaele Calace, Naples, c. 1920.

Photo: Alfred Woll

Modern mandolin

Seiffert model · present day

Built by luthier Alfred Woll after the Seiffert model — spruce top, rosewood bowl body, gold-plated mechanics. A balanced, carrying sound for the modern concert repertoire.

Photo: Alfred Woll

Mandola

Soloist mandola · alto voice

Built by luthier Alfred Woll — spruce top, rosewood bowl body, gold-plated tuning machines. Larger and tuned lower than the mandolin, it carries the ensemble's middle voice with a warmer, more voluminous sound.

A selection from our collection — we are happy to introduce the instruments in person at our concerts.