Official Luthiers Forum!

I built this instrument last fall and strung it with official mando-cello strings. After breaking four "A" strings and two "G" strings and a "D" strings, I bought bulk guitar strings from the clearance table for replacements.
Returning from vacation showed two cracks in the top. Replaced the top with 0.125" thick top with "X" braces and "F" holes.
The "C" strings seemed too heavy for this instrument (0.075") so were replaced with 0.053".

My question is, what clearance is normal at the twelfth fret? Another question is how perfect/imperfect should the intonation be.
I want to get this thing out of my shop and hear it played by someone who can play it. Any help would be appreciated.
I would show a picture if I could figure out how.

Bob

Have you asked the builder of the instrument?

You were right!
I measured it up and decided to shoot for 3/32 (12/128). I arrived at 14/128 and decided that was close enough.

My next problem is intonation. I find that the 0.053" C strings are very touchy to tune and are out of intonation with the rest of the strings. I will try to find something around 0.060" which will require more tension and then I will see how I should file the bridge for intonation. I am slow to start building more maple bridges unless it is necessary.

Bob