Distance from nut to bridge differs for fiddle and mandp. Why?

[ldnichls]

I have both, and for the fun of it, just measured the two, it is like a half inch longer on mando. Just curious, good technical stuff .

[lenf12]

They are different instruments. There are of course short 13" scale mandolins but most modern mandos are longer at 13 7/8". They work better at that "longer than fiddle" scale length.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Seter]

There are mandolins ranging anywhere from 13" to 15". I think having frets makes it easier to move between different scale lengths (which can be optimized for each particular mandolin design) versus violin where various scale lengths would pose a challenge.

[rcc56]

The traditional scale for mandolins was more or less established at 13" until Orville Gibson started building instruments. A story has been passed down that he added the extra 3/4" "to account for the width of the frets."

Whether this story is true or not, the 13 3/4" scale that became the standard for Gibson instruments has now become the standard for most mandolins. Some flat top and cant top instruments are still built using the old 13" scale, though.