The first evidence of modern metal-string mandolins is from literature regarding popular Italian players who travelled through Europe teaching and giving concerts.

Vinaccia modernized several members of the mandolin family, improving resonance, increasing ranges, and adding features.

The Neopolitan mandocello he developed had increased volume, extended range, and effectively superseded the mandolone as the bass instrument of the mandolin family.

In particular, the Spanish Estudiantina Figaro, an "association of young teachers, musicians ... created and established in Madrid forming a magnificent band of guitars, bandurrias and violins" attracted widespread attention.

Mandolins continued to be produced, but production of other members of the family decreased significantly, although—with the possible exception of the mandobass—it never died out completely.

However, some pieces specifically for liuto cantabile were composed by Raffaele Calace, who championed the instrument in the early 20th century.

More recent music for solo mandocello was presented at the 2018 Classical Mandolin Society Convention in Santa Rosa by Dr. James Imhoff.

Imhoff continued these presentations at subsequent CMSA events, including composers from the UK, Germany, Australia, and the USA.

The most historically significant mandocellist was Raffaele Calace, who wrote the first method book specifically for liuto cantabile, and is thought to have perfected the design of the instrument following its putative introduction by the Vinaccia family.

One recent recording with mandolin virtuosos Carlo Aonzo[14] and David Grisman has featured Zenkl's mandocello on the album of Italian folk music "Traversata" published by Acoustic Disc.

[15] Steve Knightley of the English folk-rock band Show of Hands plays the cello-mandolin, however his instrument is tuned GDAD, similar to an octave mandolin.

Mike Marshall, best known for his collaborations with David Grisman, Darol Anger and Chris Thile has performed and recorded frequently with the mandocello.

[18] Geoff Goodman, New York born European jazz musician and composer, features both guitar and mandocello in his compositions.

John Nagy and David Grisman play mandocello on the Earth Opera album, The Great American Eagle Tragedy.

Rick Nielsen of the band Cheap Trick has a stringed instrument collection that includes electric mandocellos custom made by Hamer Guitars.

"[19] Richie Sambora, guitarist for Bon Jovi, used a mandocello on the song "Lay Your Hands on Me" from their acoustic album This Left Feels Right.