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I was wondering what size viola you play.
I play a 15 1/2. I tried the 16 inch viola. I could not handle it, even though my measurements were in the size for a 16 inch viola. I was getting sore arms from tensing up to make the reach of a 16 inch viola. I kept reading how a smaller viola has no sound. I beg to differ, I have a Fiddlershop Fiddlerman Soloist viola made in 2020 and it is simply lovely and full ... when I play it right! It actually has the full sounds when I have issues.
I have a 15 7/8 inch viola. I can't play it as often. That extra 3/8 inch makes a huge difference in comfort and playability. It is a little bit of a stretch, causing tension, but the 1/8 inch less than the 16 inch, does make it playable when I am just having a flexible day. That never happens with a 16 inch viola. The owner/luthier of the violin shop that I used to go to made this viola. He retired and sold the shop. New owners moved to a different location, bummer.
So, what have you experienced with different sizes of violas. It is so interesting, the different sizes of violas.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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I play a 15-3/4" viola. When I first switched to viola, it was on a 15-1/2" viola that I borrowed for four years. But my slightly larger viola is actually easier to play than what I had before, because it's a Tertis-pattern viola with a shorter vibrating string length and narrower upper bout than typical violas. The vibrating string length on my viola is approximately what you would expect to see for a 15-1/4" viola in a more typical shape. I have the arm length for a larger viola, but my fingers are very short, so vibrating string length matters more to me than body length.
Regulars
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40.5 cm, so approx 16 inch here. My previous one was smaller but with the same string length, so switching didn't change anything for me in terms of finger spacings. Sometimes I wonder if it would be easier on a smaller instrument, but I don't think so. My arms and fingers are long enough - just not flexible enough!
So Tertis-pattern violas are bigger with a shorter string length ? that's interesting. I never looked into the different types of violas.
@Mouse I'm sure smaller instruments can sound perfectly nice and 'project' the sound well. Maybe a bigger one has more power (if made right and played right), but in any case, you or I are not bound to play in a big concert hall anytime soon, so it's of no importance.
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@AndrewH and @wtw Thanks for the input.
It just seemed so odd that that little bit of size difference makes so much of a difference in my being able to be comfortable playing. Of course, I ammhaving a hard time finding a comfortable set up, too.
I finally got a good setup for my viol8n. I am still working on my viola. When I finally hit the mark on the violin, my playing starting improving. I am not positive what chinrest I am using. I would try to match it with a viola one, at least a good starting point. I love the feel of the Holstein Freedom that I am currently using, but I cannot find a good shoulder rest to go with it, so I need to go the other way,
I think the chinrest that I have on my violin is a Vermeer (Vemeer?). Steveduff gave it to me a long time ago. It seems to work well on my violin with rhe Fiddlerman wooden shoulder rest.
I am thinking that I will need a different set up for each viola, since they re different sizes. Maybe, if I can improve the set up on both, I will be able to switch between them more often. They each have a different basic tone.
I would think that having two different sizes, would require slightly different set ups? I bought the larger one first because of the lovely mellow tone, but it was causing issues. I then purchased the Fiddlerman one. It is almost as mellow. I am happy with it, very happy, but I would like to use the other one more often, too. I don't want it just hanging there.
So, maybe I need a little higher chinrest, with a lower shoulder rest. I am thinking my stretch will be less? With the higher shoulder rest and low profile Holstein Freedom chinrest, I think it is causing more of a stretch. Too bad. The Freedom is so small, has such a soft feel, and the edges have such a comfortable curve. But, it is low profile, which I think is the issue. Bummer.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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wtw said
So Tertis-pattern violas are bigger with a shorter string length ? that's interesting. I never looked into the different types of violas.
Compared to other violas with the same body length, Tertis-pattern violas have a slightly narrower upper bout and a wider lower bout, and a shorter vibrating string length. They also have slightly higher ribs and slightly flatter top and bottom plates.
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Gordon Shumway
Mouse
Violaman
