Violin Forum/Message Board

kjb · Super Member Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 385

What are the recommended graduations for a viola, 16.5" ?

thanks for any help on this. k

Michael Darnton · Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:05 am Post subject:

For me, the same as a violin.
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kjb · Super Member Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 385

thanks

violinarius · Member Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 171

In Sacconi's Book, I think he gives a viola top as being on average, about 0.1mm thicker, which is not very much.

actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

Michael when you say "same as a violin,"

To be clear... your violin grads are Canon vs. Vioti, for example, looking on the thickish side?

Best regards,

E

Michael Darnton · Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:51 pm Post subject:

I knew that question would come up. The answer is---what are you trying to accomplish?

Basically, a viola has no more string tension than a violin. So whatever you're tyring to accomplish, it will be like a violin. If you're trying to make a Cannone viola, then make it heavy. If you're trying to make a thin Stradish viola, make it thin. One size does not fit all.
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actonern · Super Member Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 444

"...The answer is---what are you trying to accomplish?..."

Indeed...

One of the frustrating things about violin making is the lag time between experiment and feedback...

Unlike the slider bars in photoshop, for example, where you can see in real time the difference between contrast settings, color saturation and other controls, violins are, thus far, "slider bar" proof.

So the learning curve is lengthy!

I'm still not clear, for example, what the general difference is in sound between thinly vs. thicker graduated plates. I have a sense that thicker is more demanding in terms of contact point on "the Kreisler highway" as my son's violin teacher calls the bowing area over the bridge. And that thicker plates have more "cushion" for hard bowing before the instrument chokes.

But thin? Never have gone there... don't know the advantages of that sound.

E

John Masters · Junior Member Joined: 13 Mar 2013 Posts: 23

Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:09 pm Post subject:

So if you measure this type of thing, does this give you grads about like a violin? I'm expecting it wil: a slightly larger instrument made thinner than a proportional up-size would indicate.
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jacobyfineviolins · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 55 Location: Omaha, NE

John, my notebook agrees with you on the M5. And Michael, at the most on a viola top, I am two tenths thicker than my violin tops.
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