Bandolón

[1][2] It is associated with the típica orquestra (typical orchestra) in Mexico, especially the 1884 Orquesta Típica Mexicana (Mexican Typical Orchestra), first organized by Carlo Curti.

Whatever the resemblance to a flatback mandolin, there are differences: the mandolin is a smaller instrument, the soprano member of its family, tuned in fifths with the strings having the same tuning and range as the violin.

Prominent players of the instrument include members of the 1884 Mexican Typical Orchestra: Andrés Díaz de la Vega.

Pedro Zariñana, Mariano Pagani y Apolonio Domínguez, Vidal Ordaz, Vicente Solís and José Borbolla.

[4] One more modern player found on the internet is Gabriel Saucedo Villalobos.

Three bandolóns in an 1885 photograph of Carlo Curti 's *Mexican Typical Orchestra* taken on their tour in Columbus, Ohio.

A bandolón player with his 12-string bandolón, from a photo taken at the Pan American exposition, 1901.