For any given size, of many existing violas, a difference of the relative string lengths is often apparent. This causes considerable variability in the actual playing size and feel of violas that are of a similar body length.
Viola specification - Body size & String Length
The size of a viola is of primary importance for the player. However, it is not the body length alone that needs to be considered.
The size of a viola is of primary importance for the player. However, it is not the body length alone that needs to be considered.
For any one given size of viola, often a difference may be observed between the relative string lengths of each. This inconsistency can cause two violas of a similar body length to feel very different indeed.
This variability is a result of differences in the design and set up. I have always maintained, the ratio of the stop length, [the distance from the middle of the f holes where the bridge is placed to the upper edge of the viola at the neck root], to the neck length, [the distance from the same upper edge of the viola to the nut position that marks the limit of the vibrating string], should always be at a ratio of 3:2 This also being the situation with the violin.
Although the use of this ratio is relatively recent, it is one that has been accepted by players and makers over the past century or more, and if ignored can cause many difficult intonation problems. Unfortunately, many viola set ups do not adhere to this fundamental ratio, resulting in a wide variation of final string lengths for any one particular body size. This is often the case with many older instruments which, over the years, may have been changed considerably from their original dimensions.
To enable players to compare the characteristics of viola set ups with my own instruments I have included here the essential relative dimensions of string length to body length.
One of the aims in establishing my own workshop pattern is so that within this group of instruments, an incremental increase of the body length becomes naturally associated with a relative increase in the string length. The string length adopted for each of my violas is, as a result, in very good balance with its relative body size, thereby giving an exceptional dynamically balanced instrument.
This variability is a result of differences in the design and set up. I have always maintained, the ratio of the stop length, [the distance from the middle of the f holes where the bridge is placed to the upper edge of the viola at the neck root], to the neck length, [the distance from the same upper edge of the viola to the nut position that marks the limit of the vibrating string], should always be at a ratio of 3:2 This also being the situation with the violin.
Although the use of this ratio is relatively recent, it is one that has been accepted by players and makers over the past century or more, and if ignored can cause many difficult intonation problems. Unfortunately, many viola set ups do not adhere to this fundamental ratio, resulting in a wide variation of final string lengths for any one particular body size. This is often the case with many older instruments which, over the years, may have been changed considerably from their original dimensions.
To enable players to compare the characteristics of viola set ups with my own instruments I have included here the essential relative dimensions of string length to body length.
One of the aims in establishing my own workshop pattern is so that within this group of instruments, an incremental increase of the body length becomes naturally associated with a relative increase in the string length. The string length adopted for each of my violas is, as a result, in very good balance with its relative body size, thereby giving an exceptional dynamically balanced instrument.
This size chart may be useful to players making dimensional comparisons between my violas and other violas of the same body length.
All measurements are to the nearest mm.
All measurements are to the nearest mm.
The point at which the string leaves the nut
The point where the string
crosses the bridge
crosses the bridge
