What is a real 3/4 size?
What is the real 3/4 size? I mean a standard which you refer to when you buy one or make one, the you may divert from that standrd for a big or samll 3/4?
I have seen different 3/4 size on online store. Let alone the body length, i notice 2 most different thing are string length and neck width. For example, one is string lenght 314mm and neck width is 24.2mm, The other 3/4 string length is 330mm, neck width is 22m.
And my 7/8 has neck width is 24.5??? I'm so confused! Can anyone tell me what is it?
Replies (19)
Those measurements are from sellers on eBay. I have some experiences during my violin quest already, so defintely I'm asking important question in term of playability now. And even before I have enough money to buy a 3/4, I think it's better to start looking now.
I measure my 7/8 at the nut with a tape measure. I think it's the correct place to measure. i didn't not measure my string lenght though. Going to do that soon.
Measurements of a 3/4 violin :
Body length 13 inches
String length to bridge 307 mm
Fingerboard at nut 22 mm
Sound post thickness 5.5 mm
These are the acceptable standards.
The nut for a 7/8 should be 22.5 mm, with a string length of 319 mm and a body 13.5 inches.
If it does not conform to the standards just call it a fiddle.
330mm = 13 inches. Could it be that the eBay seller mistakes the body length for the string length?
Dion, what makes you say those measurements are the standards?
Here is a table of average (note it's 'average', not 'standard') measurements for different violin sizes:
http://www.karlroyviolinbook.com/pdfs/Append682-3.pdf
The advantage to a range of measurements that are more or less 3/4 of what is more or less 4/4 is that individual players can find something that fits comfortably if they play enough violins, and the violins themselves have individual sounds. Instrument size is only one of many factors making tone distinct violin to violin and player to player, but I am all for NOT standardizing sizes.
Hi,
Strad made a very nice decorated 3/4 size violin.
It's in the Ashmolean museum, England.
You can buy the Pringle drawings of it.
Cheers.
@Ben
You are a violin maker maybe you can give us the measurements of the nice little 3/4 Strad in the Ashmolean to see how it compares with the average. I believe its big brother is also there.
Well here are some photos of the templets I made showing the asymetry of Strad's outline, for this small 3/4 size instrument.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benconover/sets/72157624823119169/show/
Basically, it's an inch shorter than most.
If you really need the proper measurements I'd sugguest you buy the original drawing from the Ashmolean.
Cheers.
Ben thank you for taking the time, the pattern looks interesting.
Ben wrote:
Well here are some photos of the templets I made showing the asymetry of Strad's outline, for this small 3/4 size instrument.
I'm glad to know I am not the only one making asymetrical violins!!!
You're welcome, and here is the 3/4 Strad, which looks gorgeous :
http://www.leroydouglasviolins.com/AshStrad.htm
www.leroydouglasviolins.com/AshStrad.htm
Ben to make the link easier there is a link on the submit message. Click on the blue ball with a link. It then inserts the URL in the message for easy reference. Then you only have to click on the www to bring the image up.
Thanks.
I get the no standard part, yes, I know each is different but then again any basic number?
@Dion: Can you give me the source information you base on to decide if that's a violin or a fiddle as your statment?
Ben: I like the the strad you gave pic, but I don't get your layout as I couldn't read any number on that and I have knowledge to comprehanse the whole pics. I just need some numbers to rely one when I need to make decision.
Violin or Fiddle ;
Phunong this is very complicated, gather around and a tale to you I'll tell. If your violin gets old and it sound grows cold and it sags in the middle, it is a four-string fiddle and only good for a country diddle.
A violin when it is opened it will lead you to what you should play, if there is no opening or no leading then you know you only bought a fiddle while the seller called it a violin. Unfortunately there is no law against this malpractice but maybe you can negotiate a free set of strings.
Size has nothing to do with it, the difference is in the Quality.
If you just want ' a number' then try 13 inches.
Forget all the subjective waffle surrounding the essentials.
Thanks John for your input. I have to admit that sound scary though.
And that you mentioned the shoes size, but unless I go for kid section there is nothing for me in the states. I might live in depression when I reach my 40 because most of my shoes are pinky-ish.
John a 4/4 violin has a fingerboard length of 270 mm which should be perfect for you. I have never seen a violin player fingering beyond that.
The 3/4 size Strad drawing I have has a neck length of 128mm, nut to table, which is quite long for a small violin. When my copy is made I'll post it to this thread.
This discussion has been archived and is no longer accepting responses.
Violinist.com is made possible by...
Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases
Johnson String Instrument/Carriage House Violins
Subscribe
Laurie's Books
Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews.
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1, with introduction by Hilary Hahn
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2, with introduction by Rachel Barton Pine
September 12, 2010 at 06:39 AM ·
I don't believe a standard exists, especially for fractional size violins. I have taken measurements for at least 10 3/4 violins during my previous violin searches - the string length ranged from 302mm to 315mm (318mm for my 7/8), and the fingerboard width at nut ranged from 20mm to 22.5mm.
How do you measure the neck width of your violin? The number seems high. Before my 7/8 was modified, the fingerboard width at nut was 23mm (21mm after modification). 24mm and 330mm are measurements of a 4/4, and many 4/4s have a shorter string length than that, so they are definitely unusual for a 3/4.