Acceptable String Spacing?

October 13, 2007 at 07:40 AM · Johnson & Courtnall recommend a total string spacing at the bridge of 33-34 mm, which is measured with dividers from the centre of the outer grooves (ie not following the curve of the bridge). At the nut it is 16.5 mm. The other two grooves are cut equidistant between these two in each case.

Juliet Barker's book gives 11.3 at the bridge between the grooves of each string (ie total 33.9) and 5.5 at the nut (=16.5 total). The totals I come to here ignore the curvature, however.

October 14, 2007 at 07:24 PM · Thanks, Joel.

That pretty much matches my previous info.

What I still want to know, though, is if a little wider is still considered acceptable by some classical players. Anyone?

October 14, 2007 at 08:00 PM · "What I still want to know, though, is if a little wider is still considered acceptable by some classical players. Anyone?"

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Sure, we go all over the place for special circumstances, like people with unusually narrow fingers who have trouble stopping two strings with one finger with standard spacing, and people who have wide fingers who have trouble stopping one string while playing adjacent strings open.

Also, some just have a personal preference.

Some players like string spacing measured edge to edge, and some like center to center. Most don't notice the difference.

Standard measurements seem fine for about 95% of players.

David Burgess

http://www.burgessviolins.com

October 15, 2007 at 08:36 PM · Thanks, David.

Obviously I can use whatever spacing I want, esp since I have no intention/desire of ever being a classical virtuoso. Still, it bothers me to stray too far from the norm. Good to know that "95%" estimate, that's the kind of reference point I was hoping for.

To beat a dead horse: Would you say then that my wider bridge ( 35mm, inside edge to inside edge.) is too wide, assuming I want to be comfortable on "any" violin?

October 15, 2007 at 09:42 PM · Hi Alan,

One of my violins has a slightly too wide string spacing as well, and I'm on my way to get this fixed! Even if, I agree, this kind of setup is convenient if you have a tendency to hit 2 strings while playing, it's a total pain in the neck for double strings, chords and fast string crosses...

October 16, 2007 at 03:30 AM · Ha ha Allan, without ever having met you or seeing (hearing) you play, I should recommend a setup? ;-)

Based on your prior posts, I suspect that you will notice the most minuscule variations.

If the goal is to easily switch between different fiddles, keep things as similar as possible.

If you notice minuscule variations but also appreciate variety, you're over my head, and would do better to appeal to a higher power (Dr. Phil) :-)

October 17, 2007 at 12:46 PM · When you say you don't hit the wrong strings as much with the wider spacing, I'm assuming you mean with the bow, which really ought to be more of a bridge curve issue rather than spacing. BTW, 4 and 6 mm to the bottom of the string is higher than most players like, though if you live someplace with cold winters you might wait and see what happens in January.Also, there are 3 equally important components to string height, the bridge height, fingerboard hollow, and nut height. At the end of the day, if something is comfortable, leave it.