Mexican vihuela fret calculator
The Mexican vihuela, the small round-backed strummer of the mariachi, has a short neck with few frets. Hohner's H. Jimenez LV2M lists a 20″ (508 mm) scale with 7 tied frets, so this calculator starts there; the LV2 has 6 metal frets, and some traditional vihuelas, such as Lucida's LG-VH1, have only 4.
Mexican vihuela fret positions, 20″ (508 mm) scale
7 equal-tempered frets measured from the nut, as on the H. Jimenez LV2M.
| Fret | From nut (mm) | From previous (mm) | To saddle (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28.51 | 28.51 | 479.49 |
| 2 | 55.42 | 26.91 | 452.58 |
| 3 | 80.82 | 25.40 | 427.18 |
| 4 | 104.80 | 23.98 | 403.20 |
| 5 | 127.43 | 22.63 | 380.57 |
| 6 | 148.79 | 21.36 | 359.21 |
| 7 | 168.95 | 20.16 | 339.05 |
How to use it
- Tap Vihuela 20″ (508 mm), or type your own scale length: measure the nut to the 12th-fret position and double it, or measure nut to saddle.
- Set the number of frets your vihuela has: 4 to 7 on the neck is typical.
- Read the positions in mm or inches, from the nut, from the previous fret and to the saddle.
- Tap Print template, print at 100% and measure the 100 mm bar before marking.
Help and explanations
On a 508 mm scale the 1st fret sits 28.51 mm (1.123″) from the nut and the 7th 168.95 mm (6.652″). The 12th, at half the scale (254.00 mm, 10″), usually falls on the top, but the table can go that far if your vihuela has frets there.
Tied frets and fixed frets
Traditional vihuelas have frets of nylon or gut tied around the neck; WMIC describes vihuela frets tied on nylon, not wood or metal. A tied fret can slide, which is useful: set it to the calculated position, check the note against the open string an octave or a fifth higher with a tuner, and nudge it a fraction of a millimetre. A tied fret is also thicker than a fret wire, so the string sits a little higher.
Fixed metal frets go into slots, and there the table is final: cut every slot measured from the nut, never by adding up the gaps.
Positions on a 20″ vihuela
From the nut, using d = L − L ÷ 2^(n/12) (Mottola's formula, the one StewMac uses): 1st 28.51 mm, 2nd 55.42, 3rd 80.82, 4th 104.80, 5th 127.43, 6th 148.79 and 7th 168.95 mm. The gap shrinks from 28.51 mm to 20.16 mm between the 6th and 7th. With nylon strings, start the saddle 1.5 to 3 mm behind the nominal scale and fine-tune the intonation once strung.
Tips
- The vihuela's 3rd string, G4, is the highest and the thinnest: tune it last and gently after a refret.
- Restringing after the fretwork? Follow the vihuela string change guide.
- Check intonation on the frets you have with the intonation checker and a fretted note against the open string.
Frequently asked questions
What is the scale length of a Mexican vihuela?
About 20″ (508 mm) on common models such as Hohner's H. Jimenez LV2M and LV2. Handmade vihuelas vary, so measure yours.
How many frets does a vihuela have?
Usually 4 to 7 on the neck. The H. Jimenez LV2M has 7 tied frets, the LV2 has 6 metal frets and the Lucida LG-VH1 has 4.
Where is the 5th fret on a 20″ vihuela?
127.43 mm (5.017″) from the nut, and the 7th at 168.95 mm (6.652″).
Are vihuela frets tied on?
On traditional instruments yes: nylon or gut frets tied around the neck. Many factory vihuelas use fixed metal frets instead.
Where is the 12th fret on a vihuela?
At half the scale: 254.00 mm (10″) on a 20″ vihuela, which is usually past the neck, on the top.