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A 3/4 violin is 335 mm (13.2 in), and a 1/2 size is 310 mm (12 in). Rarely, one finds a size referred to as 7/8 which is approximately 340 mm (13.5 in), sometimes called a "ladies' fiddle." Viola size is specified as body length rather than fractional sizes. A 'full-size' viola averages 400 mm (16 in), but may range as long as 450 or 500 mm (18 ...
The tip plate of the bow may be made of bone, ivory, mammoth ivory, or metal, such as silver. A bow maker or archetier typically uses between 150 and 200 hairs [4] from the tail of a horse for a violin bow. Bows for other members of the violin family typically have a wider ribbon, using more hairs.
A violin is usually played using a bow consisting of a stick with a ribbon of horsehair strung between the tip and frog (or nut, or heel) at opposite ends. A typical violin bow may be 75 cm (30 in) overall, and weigh about 60 g (2.1 oz). Viola bows may be about 5 mm (0.20 in) shorter and 10 g (0.35 oz) heavier.
So, naturally, the violin's owner was happy to hear the German violin itself was worth more than $5,000. But she was absolutely shocked when the French Sartory bow was appraised at $20,000.
The classical bow was pioneered by François Xavier Tourte, a French master bowmaker from the late 18th and early 19th century. [3] With the help of virtuoso violinist G.B. Viotti he sought to improve upon the limitations of the Baroque bow by lengthening it, strengthening its tip, and introducing a curvature that allowed for greater flexibility and improved the springing action of the bow.
It is a massive, round piece of wood; the upper surface is smooth and polished, intersected by 3 incisions, which widen towards the center of the wood into cavities of various sizes. Rubbing with the moist palm over the incisions produces 3 different tones. We saw such instruments up to 2 meters long and several feet in diameter.