My new violin was described to me as a 'lady's violin' and i assumed that this meant 7/8 sized, she seemed smaller to me and the first thing people say when they see her is ':O that's tiny!' but i measured her... and she's just over 13 3/4 inches... so is she a big 7/8 size, or a small 4/4 size?! I'm confused cause she does look quite little... but technically really isn't much smaller than a 4/4.






(Also btw - just wondering if anyone knows but for some reason when i read a topic the replies are in a list of links at the bottom i'm sure someone will know what i mean, how do i fix that? I've looked everywhere )

i don't know about your fiddle, but i can answer this one - click 'Options' at the top right of the first post, then 'Standard'.

Maybe the violin is narrower as well as a little shorter? There is a fair market for 7/8 size violins in Japan, naturally, and I've heard that they tend to be narrower to make it easier to reach high positions.

I haven't seen one for ages, so can't remember if the ones I saw were also narrower in the wasit and/or upper bouts. By the way, is your violin arched or curved on top, or rather flat?

My violin isn't Japanese buuut i got my old 4/4 violin out to compare... my new one does look much smaller! It's nearly the same length but is a lot thinner - though my old 4/4 is a big Strad model.
She's very old and is German
I think the measurements are possibly similar to full size but everythings's been made a bit narrower and smaller? gah, i can't explain what i mean


Edit: i just realised that you meant there are 7/8 violins IN japan, not JAPANESE 7/8 violins haha oh silly me

Is the neck narrower too?

I take it you enjoy playing the smaller instrument, anyway!

I do i love her I was originally put off in the first place that she was smaller... and it does really bother me BUT i love her and my teacher think's it's the perfect instrument for me, and it sounds great so that's all that matters righttt

And yes the neck is thin but the neck was very thin on my old violin too despite the rest of it being big! the body of the instrument is almost the same length as the 4/4 but the neck is quite a bit shorter... makes it a lot easier to reach notes!!