A Mandolute is a North African instrument derived from the more traditional Oud. It is a ten string fretted instrument, sometimes called a mandoluth or mandol. It is slightly bigger than the mandola. It combines the traditional Oud string format with western classical guitar frets, resulting in a shape similar to a Mandolin, only deeper and larger in the body, or sound box.

Weymann Mandolute

The term mandolute was used as a brand name for an American mandolin made by the American company Weymann in the early 20th century. These American 'mandolutes' have 8 strings and are tuned exactly like a traditional American mandolin and their scale length is within the standard mandolin scale length between 13 inches (330 mm) and 13-7/8 inches (352mm).

External links

• Video of Hakim Hamadouche playing a mandolute
• Interview: Rachid Taha