Need to know what instrument they're using.

[Sarah.Harris0991]

Hey, does anyone know what instrument is playing at 2:38? I really like it but I can't tell what it is:

 

[spantini]

Looks a lot like this one :

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/vintage-chritobal-santiago-10-string-mandolin.-513-c-fbb477f990

 

[grimtraveller]

It could be a 10-string mandolin or a mandola or even a 10 string mandocello.

 

[Serendipity Records]

Yeah, some larger cousin to the mandolin - every string is doubled. If you're trying to replicate it, you can probably just use the more readily-available option: plain mandolin

 

[spantini]

Here's a blowup from the video. Almost identical to the Santiago model posted earlier :

 

[60's guy]

It could be a 10-string mandolin.

There is no such thing as a 10 string mandolin. Mandolins are a four note instrument, normally doubled stringed. Eight strings in total, but some mandolin manufacturers decided to add a third string to each course to those four notes. Why? I haven't a clue, but I do remember that my Dad once told me that he tuned one of those doubled strings to be ever so slightly out of tune with the main string. I remember asking him, "Why?" Nuff about that!
The blowup photo, that was posted?

The instrument in question is definitely NOT a mandolin. The blowup photo that spantini posted clearly shows that is indeed a five note instrument.

Zoom in closer to the photo. Pay particular attention to the nut grooves and the wear marks on the frets. Clearly a five note, double stringed instrument. If you Iook close enough, you'll see that there is just one string on the low end.

 

[Serendipity Records]

If you Iook close enough, you'll see that there is just one string on the low end.

...???

 

[rob aylestone]

Two low strings in the bridge hole?

 

[grimtraveller]

There is no such thing as a 10 string mandolin

I merely present some evidence here, here, here, here and here. Sift, consider, come to a decision.
The prosecution rests.

 

[grimtraveller]

There's even a 9-string mandolin.

 

[spantini]

The 9-stringers I've seen had the 9th string added to the low end as a single string - like a B-string on a 5-string bass. I don't know what the note is.

 

[grimtraveller]

It's a C.