This is simply BEAUTIFULL INSTRUMENT WITH NICE SOUND !
If wanna try the old music / sound by the easiest way and affordable instrument, try skip from class.guitar to this great "mandoloncello" (as label written inside) or its smaller sister clas.Lute - it has only 6 strings and same tunning like guitar. Simple.
WHAT YOU GET:
- A very beautifull instrument from massive - all used woods are nice, upper desk has some minor imperfections - at the one I have got.
- classic tunnig mechanics works good and keep tunning fine
- classic guitar neck, where is "D2" near body !!! Look carefully to photos! Get to E2oct possible, but play higher - no easy way. Last possible barre chord E-type is Db !!!
SOUND: it is NOT a doubled strings (courses) choir instrument as classic lute - by single strings its much close to a classic guitar. You can play a Flamenco or classic gt pieces. Also tunning it is much easier!!!
BUT: tonal characteristics are different - lute body, lute sound. With its great body - massive, brilliant basses - all wired fat strings excelent (Galli LG 40), but G not unfortunately wired - only nylon.
CONS: = MINIMUM, but the last one is heavy crucial..
- due its great, rounded body is really problematic keep & play without a support or a strap - It is still slipping! But there are no strap-pegs..
- theres no adjustable truss rod in the neck - surely, understand its a copy of an ancient instrument - but no space for neck/string adjustment !
- AND THE WORST: THE STRINGS ARE REALLY HIGH - WAY ABOVE THE NECK !!! From 5th fret - DAMM! I believe, it was an obvious fact at renaissance times, but we are hundred years later - no craftmanship improvement? Such fantastic looking and sounding instrument must torture a player??? Even with a nylon strings...
I own a classic guitar of the same Portugal producer and THE SAME PROBLEM! Think (for this considerable money) the instrument is to be a much better adjusted!
So - look carefully, if the Lute you get is fit for hanging on the wall, or ready for a hours of playing... !!!
Really sad to write..
ADDITIONALLY - SUITABLE BAG included: fine idea!!! But should have thicker padding (min20-30mm instead 3!!) as premium Thomann bags - such a fragille instrument needs it badly and think, evrybody pay 30-40E more for this gladly.
CONCLUSION: a very nice instrument you cant find by this price at the market !!! But care on - if its PLAYER-FRIENDLY...