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

**Bernie Daniel** · Oct-27-2011, 8:53pm

Originally Posted by Mary Weber

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** · Oct-28-2011, 10:25am

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** · Oct-28-2011, 12:16pm

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** · Nov-02-2011, 1:54pm

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** · Nov-12-2011, 10:36pm

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

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

**Mary Weber** · Nov-13-2011, 8:45am

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

**Beanzy** · Nov-15-2011, 1:51am

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** · Nov-15-2011, 3:10am

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

**Bernie Daniel** · Nov-15-2011, 8:11pm

Originally Posted by Tavy

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** · Jan-23-2012, 9:11am

Is there video or audio of this beautiful instrument yet?

**kidgloves2** · Jun-14-2012, 1:03pm

Originally Posted by Bernie Daniel

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** · Jun-15-2012, 6:05pm

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?