Violin Forum/Message Board

[lamguitar]

I am a newby to the forum and even thought I am a luthier I am trying to build my first violin.

The question I have is the following: Is there a standard for what the diameter of the peg hole should be on a 4/4 violin?

Also I am revamping a 1/2 size violin it's in good shape just needs minor parts installed. Is there a standard on the bridge size and string height you can share?

Thanks

[FiddleDoug]

I think that you need to get some good books on violin building and repair. They will answer your questions. I would recommend Strobel's "Useful Measurements for Violin Makers" book. It has all the charts and measurements you will need. You'll need to read others to gain a useful understanding of all that goes on with a violin set-up.
_________________
Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

[Mat Roop]

If you are going to get into this ... Read all of this site .. http://violinbridges.co.uk/index.php?bg=yes
and do a search on this Violin forum as there is a host of information that has been disussed in the past and available to you.
This may also help you get started http://www.prierviolins.com/prierviolins/DimensionsForViolins.htm
or http://alangoldblatt.com/specs.html
and here is a wealth of information.. http://www.vanzandtviolins.com/dvz-resources.htm
and as for the peg diameter... it should be 7-7.5 mm at the collar and a taper of 1:30 making the opposite end proportionately smaller.
Hope this helps and let us know if you can't find what you need.
and BTW... don't ask questions in a private email (unless it is really private)... post it publicly on the forum so that everyone can benefit!
Good luck!... Mat

[violinarius]

In order to do violin pegs, you will need a pegshaper, and a peg hole reamer. The taper on the reamer must match the pegshaper exactly.

You will find that if you have a fixed, as apposed to a variable pegshaper, then you will be using the smallest size hole that the pegs can be turned down to for a new violin. This avoids unnecessary wear, and helps to put off the job of rebushing the pegholes for as long as possible.

Here are some links that will help you to see the whole range of hole sizes available for different sized instruments.

The multiple hole pegshavers help you to go from big sized pegs to the smaller ones, in more steps, as most sellers of pegs generally sell large sized diameter pegs. Sorta a one size sells all approach.

Pegshapers

http://www.dick.biz/dick/category/dickcatalog/Wirbelschneider-139_177/detail.jsf

Eg.

"Herdim Peg Shaper, violin/viola, standard

Taper 1/30, diameter 8 x 6.3; 8.5 x 6.8; 9 x 7.3; 9.5 x 7.8 mm, length 50 mm."

So if you owned the above pegshaper, then a new violin would be fitted with the 8 x 6.3 mm diameter pegs. You would start off in the 9.5 x 7.8 mm hole and slowly work your way down.

Reamers
http://www.dick.biz/dick/category/dickcatalog/Herdim-Reibahlen-139_176/detail.jsf


Eg.

"Herdim Peg Reamer, violin, standard, uncoated

Straight edges, taper 1/30, diameter 10 x 5.5 mm, length 135 mm."

Note the taper here is 1/30th while there are others listed, but 1/30th seems to be the taper for new work on violins.

You don't have to buy from them, but it will give you a good idea of what's available.

[lamguitar]

I want to thank all who responded to my post. Great information, and yes I will get the books you suggest.

Regards