Orchestra Instrument Measurements
The Music Educators National Conference (MENC) has established the following adjustment standards for violins, violas, celli, and basses.
| Instrument | Fingerboard height from top |
Bridge thickness @ top edge |
Sound post diameter |
String height* between strings and fingerboard |
String spacing at the top of the bridge |
| Violin | 19.5 - 20.5mm | 1/16" | 1/4" | E=1/8" G=3/16" | 7/16" |
| Viola | 24 - 25mm | 1/16" | 1/4" | A=3/16" C=1/4" | 1/2" |
| Cello | 62 - 65mm | 3/32" | 7/16" | A=1/4" C=5/16" | 5/8" |
| Bass | 9.5 - 11cm | 3/16" | 11/16" | G=7/16" E=11/16" | 1 1/8" |
*For Steel Core Strings (measured at the end of the fingerboard)
Average Body Length Of Instruments
The following measurements are taken by measuring the length of the back, excluding the button. Measurements may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and from instrument to instrument.
| Violin |
|
3/4 | 1/2 | 1/4 | 1/8 | 1/10 | 1/16 |
| 14" | 13-1/4" | 12-1/2" | 11" | 10" | 9" | 8-1/2" |
| Viola | 16-1/2" | 16" | 15-1/2" | 15" | intermediate=14" | Junior=13" |
| Cello | 4/4 | 3/4 | 1/2 | 1/4 | 1/8 |
| 29-5/8" | 27-5/16" | 25-1/2" | 22-7/8" | 20" |
| Bass | 3/4 | 1/2 | 1/4 | 1/8 |
| 43-1/4" - 44-1/2" | 41-1/4" | 37-1/2" | 33-1/2" |
Average Bow Length In Inches
| Violin | 4/4 | 3/4 | 1/2 | 1/4 | 1/8 - 1/10 | 1/16 |
| 29-1/8" | 27" | 24-1/2" | 22-1/4" | 19-1/2" | 16-7/8" |
| Viola | 15" and Larger | intermediate | Junior |
| 29-1/4" | 27" | 24-1/2" |
| Cello | 4/4 | 3/4 | 1/2 | 1/4 | 1/8 |
| 28-1/8" | 26-5/8" | 25-3/8" | 23-5/8" | 20-1/2" |
| Bass | 3/4 | 1/2 | 1/4 |
| (French) | 28-3/4" | 26-5/8" | 25-1/2" |
| (German / Butler) | 29-1/2" | 27-7/8" | 26-3/4" |
Determining The Correct Instrument Size For The Student
VIOLIN / VIOLA - Support the instrument under the chin in playing position. The instrument is of proper size if the palm and fingers of the left hand can comfortably cup the scroll with the elbow relaxed.
CELLO - Seat the student so that the knees are bent at a 90º angle. The instrument should rest such that the upper rim rests on the sternum (breast bone) and the knee contacts the curve below the the lower bout corner. The C-string peg should be near the left ear, with the neck a few inches from the shoulder. The left hand should be able to reach both ends of the fingerboard with ease, and the first and fourth fingers able to comfortably span a major third (E to G#) in the first position on the D-string.
BASS - While standing behind the bass in playing position, the fingerboard nut should be opposite the forehead near eye level, and the right hand able to comfortably draw the bow from frog to tip. The first and fourth fingers of the left hand should be able to easily span a whole tone (E-F#) on the D-string in the first position.
