The origin of this instrument is the Arabic lute but, with the passing of the years, it has acquired personal peculiarities. The classical mandolin is an instrument belonging to the Neapolitan musical culture becoming an typical instrument of the city of Naples. The body of this instrument is shaped like a drop and the staves join themselves together at the handle. The sounding board is shaped like a tear, his timbre is very delicate and his sonority is soft. The production is remained similar over the centuries but the gloss finish is different because, now, the craftsmen use shellac and spirit for dab the sounding board and for guarantee the flexibility of the wood. The adjustment of the ropes is a delicate step, in fact only the light touch of a expert lutist may return a suave sound.
