Mandocello fret calculator
The Eastman MDC805, a current carved-top mandocello, has a 25″ (635 mm) scale and 14 frets clear of the body. The calculator starts there: the 1st fret sits 1.403″ (35.64 mm) from the nut, the 5th 6.271″ (159.29 mm), the 7th 8.315″ (211.19 mm), the 12th 12.500″ (317.50 mm) and the 14th, where the neck meets the body, 13.864″ (352.14 mm).
Mandocello fret positions, 635 mm scale
Distance of each fret from the nut, from the previous fret and to the saddle on a 25″ mandocello.
| Fret | From nut (mm) | From previous (mm) | To saddle (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35.64 | 35.64 | 599.36 |
| 2 | 69.28 | 33.64 | 565.72 |
| 3 | 101.03 | 31.75 | 533.97 |
| 4 | 131.00 | 29.97 | 504.00 |
| 5 | 159.29 | 28.29 | 475.71 |
| 6 | 185.99 | 26.70 | 449.01 |
| 7 | 211.19 | 25.20 | 423.81 |
| 8 | 234.98 | 23.79 | 400.02 |
| 9 | 257.43 | 22.45 | 377.57 |
| 10 | 278.62 | 21.19 | 356.38 |
| 11 | 298.62 | 20.00 | 336.38 |
| 12 | 317.50 | 18.88 | 317.50 |
| 13 | 335.32 | 17.82 | 299.68 |
| 14 | 352.14 | 16.82 | 282.86 |
| 15 | 368.02 | 15.88 | 266.98 |
| 16 | 383.00 | 14.98 | 252.00 |
| 17 | 397.14 | 14.14 | 237.86 |
| 18 | 410.49 | 13.35 | 224.51 |
12fret, Eastman MDC805 mandocello: 25″ scale, 14 frets clear of the body
How to use it
- Tap Mandocello 25″ or type your scale. Measure from the nut to the 12th fret and double it.
- The fret count starts at 18: Eastman gives 14 clear of the body but not the total, so count yours and change it.
- Keep the Steel-string acoustic compensation as a starting point for the floating bridge.
- Print at 100%, measure the 100 mm bar and tape the sheets on the splice line.
Help and explanations
Older mandocellos and other makers use other scales, so measure yours and type it in. The fret count starts at 18 as a placeholder; change it to match your fretboard, then print the template on Letter or A4. Everything runs in your browser, free, with no sign-up.
Mandocello scale length
The mandocello is the bass of the mandolin family, tuned like a cello, C2 G2 D3 A3, an octave and a fifth below the mandolin. Scales vary by maker and era. Rather than relying on a brand's catalog figure, measure the instrument: nut to 12th fret, times two.
Because fret positions depend only on the scale length, the same table works for any mandocello once the length is right. A 1″ difference in scale moves the 12th fret by half an inch.
Floating bridge and compensation
Like most mandolins, a mandocello has a floating bridge held by string pressure, so its position sets the real scale. Place the saddle at the scale plus the compensation, then fine-tune: if the 12th-fret note is sharp, move the bridge back toward the tailpiece; if flat, forward.
Heavy wound strings, up to about .074 on the C course, need more compensation than a mandolin. The calculator suggests 2 to 4.5 mm past the scale as an estimate; check each course with the intonation checker.
Tips
- Before a string change, mark the bridge position with low-tack tape so it goes back exactly where it was.
- Mark all frets from the nut, never fret to fret, so small errors don't pile up.
- Tune C G D A with the mandocello tuner before you check intonation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the scale length of a mandocello?
The Eastman MDC805 uses 25″ (635 mm). Other makers and vintage instruments differ, so measure yours from the nut to the 12th fret and double it.
Where is the 12th fret on a 25″ mandocello?
At 12.500″ (317.50 mm) from the nut. The 1st fret is at 1.403″, the 5th at 6.271″, the 7th at 8.315″ and the 14th at 13.864″ (352.14 mm).
How many frets does a mandocello have?
It varies by model. The Eastman MDC805 has 14 frets clear of the body; the total depends on how far the fretboard extends over the top.
Where does the bridge go on a mandocello?
At the scale length from the nut plus 2 to 4.5 mm of compensation as a start, about 25 1/8″ on a 25″ instrument. Then adjust until the 12th-fret note is an exact octave.