I previously stated that I know nothing about mandolin music, and that includes knowing about the existence of a mandolin orchestra.
100 years ago, Mandolin was the most popular instrument in America. Mandolin Orchestras were everywhere. Now, only a few exist. The oldest is in Rhode Island where Giuseppe Pettine lived. I wish someone would post some of that old music online but, I can’t find any anywhere.
Not an orchestra, I know, but a while ago I heard the quartet The Mandolinquents in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK with a great evening of English humour and a fascinating view of mandolins (including a bass one, if that’s what it’s called) and guitars. Search Google for Mandolinquents and choose the Czardas video and you’ll get both the humour and, after a bit, some great playing.
Chris
I just looked up The Mandolinquents. They do indeed have a Mandobass. They are rather rare.