Useful Measurements and Information

Page Contents:

Questions to ask before renting

Small Viola's - another look

Standard Measurements

String Heights

String Color Code Chart

String Descriptions

Proper Sizing and other stuff (PDF file)

Small Viola's and some thoughts - For as long as viola's have been played by children, the problem of getting a good sound, especially on the "C" string, has followed.  Many things have been tried from making an asymmetrically shaped instrument to enlarge the air volume to a large body with a short neck. None of things things have worked consistently and even if they did, the cost is prohibitive to a new young player. A very interesting test was tried a few years back. The shop of Frederick Phelps in London conducted a blind sound test of 13 small viola's before a panel of 60 private viola teachers. 7 instruments were in the 14" size (4/4 violin equivalent) and  6 comparable to a 1/2 size violin. All the viola's had strings designed for small viola's.  The different models included hand made viola's, commercially made viola's and violins strung as viola's as well as a special experiment.

The clear favorites were not the traditionally higher ribbed instruments but rather the restrung violins and the clear runaway champion - the experiment. A modification was made to a commercially made violin in which a hole was drilled in the top of the violin through which an extended sound post was fitted so that the treble bridge foot sat directly on the post. Although not recommended for a hand made higher grade instrument, the modification produced stronger low harmonics and resonances  and reduced higher ones.

Some more experimentation must be done, but the idea that the top of the instrument being bypassed essentially to produce a more viola sound on a small violin is intriguing

More information can be found in Strings magazine articles December 2000 and June 2001.  

Proper Bridge Placement is achieved by following the instructions that follow. The "f" hole notches are only a guide and do not provide an exact placement guide. The proper location is called the MENSUR which is a ratio of neck length to bridge location. First measure the distance from the nut to the edge of the violin next to the neck. Take this number and divide by two and then multiply by three, this resulting measurement (from the edge by the neck, to the bridge) is the proper location of the top of the front of the bridge (side closest to the fingerboard) for violin. Thus a 2:3 ratio. For the Cello the ratio is 7:10 and the Bass is 3:4.

STANDARD INSTRUMENT MEASUREMENTS (in inches)

Bridge Height between Strings and Fingerboard

STRING COLOR CODE CHART