August 31, 2020

Double Bass Sizing

August 31, 2020

Double Bass Size Guide

Here at the Luthier Shop, we primarily focus on violins, violas and cellos, but we do have some double basses available. There are shops that specialize in double basses. When purchasing an instrument, these shops will have a much better selection of basses from which to choose.

The standard size for adults is a ¾ double bass. A large double bass such as a ⅞ or 4/4 is very rare and not commonly used unless the person is very tall, 6.5’ + in height or they have unusually large hands.

A general rule for children is to choose a bass one size smaller than usual violin size for age. A smaller bass will have a shorter string length. So if the child’s hand is small, a smaller size bass would be a better fit. A smaller instrument is MUCH easier to play because of the shorter string length. A shorter string length (the measurement of the strings from the bridge to the nut) means the fingers do not have to spread as far to place the fingers on the strings for each note when playing. Bass and cello players can develop physical problems in the hand and arm from playing instruments that that have string lengths too long for the player to play comfortably. So a smaller bass is probably better for most players.

Approximate sizing for age:

Size of Double Bass Age of Child

1/8 5-7 years

1/4 7-9 years

1/2 9-13 years

3/4 13 years to adult

Other adjustments and considerations for deciding on double bass size.

Adjust the length of the end pin rod so that the bridge is at the same level as the large knuckles while the arm hangs down.
Your right arm should now be able to bow comfortably with the bow at the appropriate position midway between the bridge and the fingerboard. If you are bowing above the fingerboard, try a bass one size down. If you feel more comfortable bowing very close to the bridge, try a bass one size up.
The left hand should be about level with your face when in first position. Your index finger should approximately point towards your eyebrow.
A ½ size bass is usually good for players up to around 12 years of age. (150cm)

Bass sizing is not an exact science. Rule #1: There Are No Rules. The Double Bass (a.k.a. Upright Bass) is an instrument that only recently evolved over the last few hundred years, that is still being changed and developed by individuals who build them to satisfy their own interpretation of the instrument. There are quite a lot of variances in sizing and design. But there are some commonalities that many basses share, so we have this information here. Just be aware that double basses vary quite a bit, so your need for an instrument may not fall in general sizing categories -- and that's nothing to worry about.

3/4 size is recognized as a regular size bass. 99.5% of the basses are 3/4 size. But you will find that 3/4 size is by far most common bass size. A 4/4 or full size bass is really considered more of a "jumbo" or "XXL" bass - and mostly they are used in orchestras and by very tall people. Many times they are used where acoustic volume is very important, and the extra depth can be advantageous for those using E-string extensions for extra low notes (usually down to low C or B). https://doublebassblog.org/2019/09/understanding-double-bass-extensions.html

There are also double basses that have 5 strings with a low C to make it easier for the player to play notes lower than the low E.

Useful Measurements for Double Bass Sizes

Instrument Size 4/4 3/4 3/4 Kay 1/2 1/4

A Full Height bottom of 74.8” 71.6” 71.6” 65.7” 61.4”

body to scroll 190 cm 182 cm 182 cm 167 cm 156 cm

B Body Height bottom 45.7” 43.7” 43.7” 40.2” 37.4”

to shoulder 116 cm 111 cm 111 cm 102 cm 95 cm

C String Length nut 43.3” 41.3” 41.5” 38” 35.4”

to bridge 110 cm 105 cm 105.5 cm 96.5 cm 90 cm

D Upper Bout Width 21.3” 20.3” 20.25” 8.7” 17.3”

54 cm 51.5 cm 51.5 cm 47.5 cm 43 cm

E Lower Bout Width 26.8” 25.6” 26.5” 23.6 “ 21.9”

68 cm 65 cm 67.5 cm 60 cm 55.5 cm

F Scroll to Shoulder 29.1” 27.9” 28” 25.5” 24.0”

74 cm 71 cm 71.25 cm 64.75 cm 61 cm

G Width of Neck 1.8” 1.7” 1.6” 1.6” 1.5”

at Nut 4.5 cm 4.25 cm 4 cm 4 cm 3.8 cm

If you have any questions regarding basses or bass sizes, give us a call. We would be happy to help!

Steven Cundall

August 26, 2020

Violin Sizing

Steven Cundall

August 26, 2020

Measuring for a Violin

Measuring what size violin, viola, or cello you need is straight forward. If you have not been advised on the size you need, then this short guide should help you out.

The actual size between the instruments doesn’t look much, a ¼ violin being 47cm and the ½ only 4cm longer, but this can make a real difference to the player.

Playing on the wrong size instrument could force the player to have to stretch too far if the instrument is too large or be cramped if the instrument is too small. Either way, it’s going to make learning to play much harder!

If you are an adult/child learning to play then follow these simple measurements.

If you are still unsure after using this guide, please contact us. We are always happy to help.

Just under the next size up?

If you find your child is just under being the next size up, it is tempting to go for the large instrument.

Really, they should start with the smaller size and only move to the larger size when they are 100% ready. Playing an instrument even slightly to large may inhibit progress.

If you get your violin, but the teacher suggests a different size please let us know and we’ll arrange to change sizes.

Violin Size Arm Length Age (Guide Only)

1/16 Violin 35.5cm or 14in 3 to 5 Years Old

1/10 Violin 38cm or 15in 3 to 5 Years Old

1/8 Violin 42cm or 16in 3 to 5 Years Old

1/4 Violin 47cm or 18.5in 4 to 7 Years Old

1/2 Violin 51cm or 20in 6 to 10 Years Old

3/4 Violin 56cm or 22in 9 to 11 Years Old

4/4 Violin 58.5cm or 23in 11 Years Old +

How To Measure

Have the player extend their left arm completely straight (but not overextended) with a slight bend in the elbow.

Measurement 1 (neck to wrist) This indicates the most appropriate and comfortable size for the player.
Measurement 2 (neck to palm) This indicates the largest size the player could use.

Other Methods Of Measuring

If you already have a violin you can easily measure and check the size.

If the violin is put in the playing position, then the violin scroll should sit in the middle of the palm of the left hand and the fingers be able to curl around the scroll. The elbow and shoulder should not be stretching or extending to enable the fingers to curl around the scroll. You can also simply measure the back of the violin body using the measurements table below.

What Size Violin Do I Have? – Useful Violin Measurements

If you already have a violin, we have a useful list of measurements that will help you determine what sizes your instrument and bow are.

Violin Size Violin Back Length Violin Overall Length Bow Length

1/16 Violin 209mm or approx. 8” 36.8cm or 14.5” 42.5cm or 16.75”

1/10 Violin 230mm or approx. 9” 40.6cm or 16” 45cm or 17.5”

1/8 Violin 255mm or approx. 10” 43cm or 17” 48.9cm or 19.25”

1/4 Violin 280mm or approx. 11” 48.25cm or 19” 57.15cm or 22.5”

1/2 Violin 310mm or approx. 12.25” 52cm or 20.5” 62.2cm or 24.5”

3/4 Violin 335mm or approx. 13” 53.3cm or 21” 68.6cm or 27”

4/4 Full Violin 356mm or approx. 14” 60cm or 23.5” 75cm or 29.5”

1100 Back.jpg — Violins!

At The Luthier Shop

Steven Cundall

August 26, 2020

Viola Sizing

Steven Cundall

August 26, 2020

Measuring for a Viola

Measuring what size viola you need is straight forward. If you have not been advised on the size you need, then this short guide should help you out.

The actual size between the instruments isn’t much to look at, they only change by 1/2 an inch in the larger sizes and 1 inch in the smaller, but these small size differences can make a big difference to the player.

If you are an adult/child learning to play, follow these simple measurements.

If you are still unsure after using this guide, please contact us. We are always happy to help.

Just under the next size up?

If you find your child is just under being the next size up, it is tempting to go for the large instrument. Really, they should start with the smaller size and only move to the larger size when they are 100% ready. Playing an instrument even slightly to large may inhibit progress.

If the teacher suggests a different size please let us know and we’ll arrange to change sizes.

Viola Size Arm Length Age (Guide Only)

12” Viola Up to 50.8cm or 20″ 6 to 7 Years Old

13” Viola Up to 55.9cm or 22″ 7 to 9 Years Old

14” Viola Up to 58cm or 23″ 9 to 12 Years Old

15” Viola Up to 62.2cm or 24.5″ 10 to 12 Years Old

15.5” Viola Up to 64cm or 25.25″ Average Adult

16” Viola Up to 66cm or 26″ Larger Adult

16.5″ Viola Up to 66cm or 26″ Larger Adult (preference)

How To Measure

Have the player extend their left arm completely straight (but not overextended) with no bend in the elbow or wrists.

Measurement 1 (neck to wrist) This indicates the most appropriate and comfortable size for the player.
Measurement 2 (neck to palm) This indicates the largest size the player could use.

Other Methods Of Measuring

If you already have a viola you can easily measure and check the size.

If the viola is put in the playing position, then the viola scroll should sit in the middle of the palm of the left hand and the fingers be able to curl around the scroll. The elbow and shoulder should not be stretching or extending to enable the fingers to curl around the scroll.

Unlike violins or cellos, full size violas can come in a variety of sizes anywhere from a 15” body length to an 18” body length. Just because you may be tall does not necessarily mean a larger viola is for you. And just because you may be a bit short does not necessarily mean a small viola is for you. The current trend for adult size violas today is more towards a smaller size. Even though larger violas give a fatter and generally bigger sound, these large instruments are not easy to play and might cause physical problems with a player. It is good and proper to try different size violas to determine what works best for you. If you need help with trying sizes of violas or have questions concerning sizing of violin, violas or cellos, please feel free to contact us. We are always ready to help!

Steven Cundall

August 18, 2020

Cello Sizing

Steven Cundall

August 18, 2020

CELLO SIZING AND INFORMATION

Cello Sizing Guide – By Age

Cello Size Age

1/10 Cello 3 to 5 Years Old

1/8 Cello 5-6 Years Old

1/4 Cello 6-7 Years Old

1/2 Cello 8-10 Years Old

3/4 Cello 11-13 Years Old

4/4 Full Cello 14+ Years Old

Age is a simple and easy method of measuring for a cello. It is also fairly accurate and can be used on its own.

This table shows the different age groups and which cello they would need.

However, it is worth taking note of arm length and height below just to double check.

Cello Sizing Guide by Height

An adult or child can be measured for a cello size by using their height as a guide. This chart shows the approximate size cello for the height of the player.

Cello Size Height

1/10 Cello 3′ / 91 cm and under

1/8 Cello 3′ to 3’6″ / 91cm to 110cm

1/4 Cello 3’6″ to 4′ / 110cm to 123cm

1/2 Cello 4′ to 4’6″ / 123cm to 140cm

3/4 Cello 4’6″ to 5′ / 140cm to 152cm

4/4 Full Cello 5’+/ 152cm+

Measuring Arm Length for Cello

An adult or child can be measured for a cello size by using their arm length as a guide. This chart shows the approximate size cello for the arm length of the player.

Have the player extend their left arm completely straight (but not overextended) with no bend in the elbow or wrists.

Measurement 1 (neck to wrist) This indicates the most appropriate and comfortable size for the player.
Measurement 2 (neck to palm) This indicates the largest size the player could use.

Cello Size Arm Length

1/10 Cello 16″/ 41 cm and under

1/8 Cello 16″ to 18″/ 41cm to 46cm

1/4 Cello 18″ to 20″/ 46cm to 51cm

1/2 Cello 20″ to 22″/ 51cm to 56cm

3/4 Cello 22″ to 24″/ 56cm to 61cm

4/4 Full Cello 24″+ / 61cm+

Measuring Finger Span for Cello

An adult or child can be measured for a cello size by using their finger span as a guide. This chart shows the approximate size cello for the finger span of the player.

Cello Sizing Guide – Finger Span

Cello Size Finger Span

1/10 Cello 2.5″ to 3″

1/8 Cello 3″

1/4 Cello 3″ to 4″

1/2 Cello 4″ to 5″

3/4 Cello 5″ to 6″

4/4 Full Cello 6″+

How To Measure Finger Span

Exactly as the diagram, with splayed fingers in a comfortable position.

A greater or wider finger span just means it will be easier for the cello player to reach the finger positions for the notes. Generally, bigger hands means ease of playing!

Finger Span or Spread Measurement for Cello

Suzuki Cello Sizes

Cello Size Age

1/10 Cello 3 to 4 Years Old With the Suzuki method, cello sizing is

1/8 Cello 4-5 Years Old slightly different.

1/4 Cello 5-6 Years Old The smaller sizes are a size down,

1/2 Cello 6 – 8 Years Old until you get past 1/2 size then the

3/4 Cello 1-13 Years Old cello sizing falls in line with

4/4 Full Cello 14+ Years Old European/Chinese sizes.

Some Useful Cello Measurements

The table below outlines some Useful Cello Measurements. Some instruments may be .25” to .5” longer or shorter depending on the manufacture. Bows can also vary a little in length as well, but not much.

Cello Size Back Length Total Length Maximum Width Bow Length

1/10 Cello 17.75″ 29.5″ 9.75″ 17.5″

1/8 Cello 20″ 33.5″ 11.75″ 20.75″

1/4 Cello 23″ 38.5″ 13.5″ 23.75″

1/2 Cello 26″ 42″ 15″ 25.5″

3/4 Cello 27.25″ 45″ 16″ 27″

4/4 Full Cello 29” to 30″ 48″ 17.75″ 28″

Cello Sizes – The difference between countries and their sizing

With commercial instruments, the actual sizes of cellos and string lengths can be different depending on their country of manufacture, or simply the cello maker. This doesn’t really help when you are trying to measure a cello to determine its size!

There are also no written rules for the differences between the manufacturing countries, but (roughly) German cellos often are the proper size, Romanian & Hungarian often come up an inch or so small. Chinese cellos can be exact, or a little over/under. Korean cellos are similar to Chinese. Japanese instruments can be a bit small from sizes 3/4 down to 1/10.

This is only a guide, but may help if you are trying to determining what size cello you need. If you have a cello that doesn’t match the sizing given, then you work to the closest size you can, and it is rare to find any cellos exactly in between sizes!