BANDORA
The Bandora is a plucked, lute chordophone with a bass register, having a scalloped body outline. The unusual slanting bridge and fret arrangement is to maximise the bass string length. Its invention is attributed to John Rose, England in 1562. It was used in the theatre, mixed consorts instruments and court orchestras. A reconstruction based on the dimensions from the James Talbot Manuscript The Bandora shape is taken from a woodcut in the William Barley's book- 'A new booke of Tablature for the Bandora' (1586). This is a 7-course instrument with the slanting bridge and fret arrangement, which gives a treble string length of 74cm and bass string length of 80cm The strings are of steel and twisted brass. The ribs are the same depth all round The flat-back has seven staves of alternate colours. The front has a rose pierced into the purfled soundboard.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 1200mm
Maximum width: 337mm
Tuning: G' C D G c e a
Praetorius tuning: C D G c f a d'