The mandriola is essentially a mandolin with 4 courses of 3 strings, instead of 4 courses of 2 strings. It was designed for greater volume. Each course may be 'unison tuned', i.e. 3 strings the same, or 'octave tuned', i.e. 2 strings with the same tuning as a mandolin, and a thicker one, an octave lower. With a much greater string tension, low tension strings are advisable.

German marquetry backed 12 string.

French 12string

'Wappen' 12 string.

Guitar shape 12 string

German marquetry backed 12 string