Can anyone tell me the size in inches of of the main violins sizes eg. 1/8, 1/4/, 1/2 & 3/4

*Knows she should really try to look this up on Google but wonders whether anyone might just happen to know these things...*

W

If you look on www.elidatrading.co.uk and go to the section 'Articles to Inform or Amuse' there is a page with a table of violin sizes in inches which is the one that I use for reference.

Just one warning from my own experiences though - the very small violin sizes ( 1/16, 1/10, 1/8) don't always seem to be consistent. I have seen 1/10 sizes from one brand the same size as 1/8 size from another. Which is a bit of a pain for the pupil who's just gone and bought it...... So I now like to see the small sizes before buying or at least ask for the measurement if I'm buying online or over the phone.

Hope this helps
R

Thanks - I don't know why I didn't think to look there!

W

Here's what Google came up with (I'm bored ) - full length, in inches:

4/4 - 23.5
7/8 - 22.5
3/4 - 21.75
1/2 - 20.5
1/4 - 18.75
1/8 - 17.25
1/10 - 16
1/16 - 14.5



Apparently though there are "male" and "female" violins: the "female" being ever so slightly shorter. A friend of my discovered he owned a female violin: it was half an inch shorter than his desk partner's male violin.

Aww!

I'm not sure that's the case for ALL sizes of violin though.

Interestingly, I have recently heard (from a respected luthier) that if you need to go for a smaller violin than a full-size, a 7/8 is not the way to go. Despite what we believe, that there are lots of small-handed ladies out there wanting smaller violins - a 7/8 violin is incredibly difficult to sell because they really are an 'in-between size'. He recommends that small-handed/short-fingered people opt for a full-up 3/4 (of the old French schools because they tend to be quite big instruments anyway), or a small 4/4, which is very different to a true 7/8 instrument.

That's interesting. I have small hands and was thinking of buying a 7/8 size violin when I upgrade my violin. Violin sizes can vary. I have a small 4/4 size violin but it's got a chunky neck, I think my problem is that the neck is too thick. My violin teacher has a big 4/4 size violin and it's got such a slim neck, it's a lot easier to stretch my little finger on it.

I very nearly did buy a 7/8 violin, but am now really glad I didn't - it was over two years ago that I'd looked at the instrument and to date, it's still for sale and has been for a number of years. The really good quality 3/4 instruments they had though, sold in a relatively short space of time.

I play a small 4/4 violin and had the neck reduced in thickness. Even a couple of millimetres can make a huge difference. It might be worth taking it to a luthier and asking if they can do the same on your violin neck.

Thanks AmandaL, that's useful to know! I'm going to look into this and try to get my violin neck slimmed down