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This sizing guide is intended to give you a good idea of what instrument size you or your student should look for. Please consider that this guide is based on our best estimates, but we always recommend that you consult with us, or your teacher before purchasing or renting.
At Fiddlershop we care a lot about how our instruments are set up for them to sound the best. Equally important to the instrument itself, is how your instruments fits you. If you play on the wrong size violin, it might lead to pain, fatigue and injury. It also makes it harder to play. Thus, we have put together this guide for you.
Need Assistance?
Call us at 800-595-0592 or send us an email at support@fiddlershop.com. An expert can answer your questions regarding the instruments and its accessories.
How to measure for a violin:
Extend the arm fully, parallel to the floor. Measure from the neck to the middle of the palm. Watch our demo video for more exact directions. See chart for approximate sizing.
WATCH VIDEOSIZE OF VIOLIN | ARM MEASUREMENT | AGE OF STUDENT |
1/16 | 14" - 15.4" | 3 - 4 YRS |
1/10 | 15.5" - 17" | 4 - 5 YRS |
1/8 | 17.1" - 17.5" | 5 - 6 YRS |
1/4 | 17.6" - 20" | 6 - 7 YRS |
1/2 | 20.1" - 22" | 7 - 8 YRS |
3/4 | 22.1" - 23.5" | 9 - 11 YRS |
4/4 | 23.6"+ | 11 - 13+ YRS |
How to measure for a viola:
Extend the arm fully, parallel to the floor. Measure from the neck to the middle of the palm. Watch our video for more exact directions. See chart for approximate sizing.
WATCH VIDEOSIZE OF VIOLA | ARM MEASUREMENT | AGE OF STUDENT |
12" | 20.5" - 21.9” | 7-9 YRS |
13" | 22” - 23.4” | 9-11 YRS |
14" | 23.5” - 24.9” | 11-14 YRS |
15" | 25" -25.9” | 14+ YRS |
15.5" | 26" - 26.4” | 14+ YRS |
16" | 26.5" - 26.9” | 14+ YRS |
16.5" | 27”+ | 14+ YRS |
How to measure for a cello:
If you have a cello to try, sit at the end of the chair with your feet flat on the floor. Lean the cello at a 45 degree angle against your body. Extend the endpin so that the top of the cello body rests in the center of your chest. The C peg should be slightly behind your left ear. Make sure you can reach both ends of the fingerboard easily. If you don't have an instrument already, see this chart for approximate sizing by age and height.
SIZE OF CELLO | AGE OF STUDENT | HEIGHT |
1/10 | 3 - 4 YRS | 3' |
1/8 | 4 - 6 YRS | 3' - 3.5' |
1/4 | 6 - 8 YRS | 3.5' - 4' |
1/2 | 8 - 10 YRS | 4' - 4.5' |
3/4 | 10 - 12 YRS | 4.5' - 5' |
4/4 | 12 - 13+ YRS | 5'+ |
How to measure for a double bass:
The 3/4 size double bass is the standard size for adults. 7/8 and 4/4 size basses are made, but less common. As a guideline, when you stand upright next to the bass, the bridge should be approximately at the same height as the large knuckles of your right hand. Most important is that you’re comfortable and can reach the higher registers without difficulty. See chart for approximate sizing by age.
SIZE OF BASS | AGE OF STUDENT |
1/16 | 3 - 4 YRS |
1/10 | 4 - 5 YRS |
1/8 | 5 - 7 YRS |
1/4 | 7 - 9 YRS |
1/2 | 9 - 13 YRS |
3/4 | 13+ YRS |
The NXTa Active Series Cello, available with 4 or 5 strings, fretless or fretted, opens up new vistas for the serious cellist. Crafted in the Czech Republic by the makers of the renowned CR Series, NXT series cellos exemplify flawless workmanship at an exceptional value. Click here for the original NXT Series Cello.
As a pure electric instrument, the NS cello has certain built-in advantages over an acoustic. One is the virtual absence of wolf tones, an unfortunate fact of life for the acoustic cellist. Another is freedom from feedback in amplified performance settings, which means that the cellist can move about the stage at will, and better yet, can take solos at any volume. Since 100% of the sound comes via the pickup, using looping and other electronic effects in live performance is much easier and far more effective than with an amplified acoustic, where much of the unprocessed sound "leaks" out to the audience.
The tone quality and dynamic range of the NXTa cello owes much to the self-powered NS Polar™ Pickup System. Employing special piezo crystals, mounted beneath the bridge, the pickup captures the full sound spectrum created by the strings and body of the instrument. Arco versus Pizzicato playing creates more vibration energy in one direction than the other, and a convenient switch on the side of the NXTa actually allows the player to select sensitivity for either mode. The result is either more percussive response, or smoother and sustained response, adding a new dimension to what the player can create musically.
Dual Mode Output - The new dual mode signal output electronics of the NXTa take the convenience, versatility and performance capability of the NXT to another level.
Active Mode - Using the supplied charger, the NXTa connects into any AC outlet for 60 seconds, powering the capacitor-powered active circuit for up to 16 hours of performance time. The instrument can then be plugged straight into any low or high impedance device, no direct box necessary. Since there is no signal loss over the full frequency spectrum of the instrument, the fundamentals of every note remain clear and strong, even with extra-long cables.
Passive Mode - The NXTa can be played in this mode when using a direct box or an amplifier with high impedance input. (This mode provides performance capabilities identical to the original NXT.)
Eco-Friendly Operation - NXTa instruments are battery-free, eliminating the hassle and cost of batteries while helping protect our environment.
The solid maple body and neck along with the graduated fingerboard contribute to the delivery of a rich, full tone that rings true for every note. Asymmetrical fingerboard relief provides extraordinary ease of playability from the lowest to the highest positions. To suit individual player preferences, the fingerboard relief can be adjusted via the truss rod in the neck, and the string height is readily adjustable at the bridge.
NS Electric Strings and most traditional acoustic strings fit all NS cellos, allowing the player to select from a wide range, each with a unique sound a feel. In combination with the easy adjustment of basic set-up parameters, the NXTa Series Cello is adaptable to a nearly limitless range of music styles.
A fully adjustable tripod stand can be used seated or standing. The optional Cello End Pin Stand provides the seated cellist familiar points of thigh contact and position. The Boomerang™ Strap System or the Frame Strap System allows the cellist to stand up with full mobility for a new experience of freedom and expression. An escutcheon pin on the neck, corresponding to the location of the heel on an acoustic cello, is standard; a more conventional wooden neck heel is also available for installation.
Specifications
Length: 94.2 cm (37")
Width: 13.9 cm (5.5")
Thickness: 9.4 cm (3.7")
Weight:
4 string: 1.9 kg (4.1 lbs.)
Scale length: 69.5 cm (27.36"")
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With the coming "most wonderful time of the year" also means it's the most busy time of the year. We know that buying a musical instrument for yourself or someone special is a life changing gift that can open up an entire world of self-discovery, creativity, and mastery experiences. But it's also a deeply personalized decision, and we want everyone who gets an instrument for the holidays to have plenty of time to decide if it's right for them. That's why we're excited to extend your return/exchange period on all holiday purchases.
For Holiday purchases made between December 1st and December 25th, you will have at least until January 31st to return or exchange.
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return most items within 45 days of delivery (unless otherwise specified) for a refund of the original purchase amount (shipping charges are not refundable). In order to get a full product refund, returned items must be in the original packaging and condition - showing no signs of wear or abuse, and be complete with all included materials such as cases, straps, strings, care kits, and any other materials that originally shipped with the product(s).
We recommend using a reliable carrier and insuring your package when returning your item(s). Fiddlershop is not responsible for shipping damages on returns. We require returns of instruments $1000 and up to ship via FedEx. For returns totaling less than $500, we can provide a label and deduct the cost from the refund due (Our average return shipping cost for a violin in the continental US is $25, whereas for a customer walking into a FedEx store, the cost can be over $100).
All returned items are processed on the Friday of the week they arrive. Unless there's a problem with your product, you will be responsible for return shipping costs. If the returned item shows signs of wear or don't meet our return-requirements, it may be refused. We issue refunds only in the same form of payment you used to make your purchase.
*If your instrument included a certificate of authenticity and it is not returned with the instrument, you will be charged a $150 replacement fee.
If you just placed an order, and for any reason changed your mind and would like to cancel or make a change, we have a small window to do so. For any order cancelation/change requests, we recommend calling us as soon as possible at 800-595-0592.
We work our hardest to ship your order as quickly as we can. If you are not able to cancel or make changes on time, we can help you find a solution. Our return policy also makes it easy to return your purchase.
If an item arrives broken or with a manufacturer's defect, we will fix, replace or credit you for the item(s) - free of charge. Please call us within 14 days of receiving your item(s) for these claims. If an item breaks/malfunctions within the warranty period, we will also replace/exchange the item at no cost to you! We'll completely cover shipping/handling both ways (excludes international shipments).
We do not give refunds for the following items if opened or used: cleaners, polishes, rosin, strings, polishing cloths and cleaning kits. We may exchange these items for free, however, if applicable. Returned merchandise with damages, broken parts, or that are otherwise considered non-sellable are non-returnable.
Internationally shipped items can only be returned/refunded on a case-by-case basis. If an item is returned and is in resellable condition, we will refund the cost of the item. Refund of shipping fees is only possible in a situation where we are at fault (e.g. we shipped to an address other than the given address).
*We unfortunately cannot provide return labels for returns totaling over $500 in retail value, as our shippers will not insure our return-shipments above this value. You will have to purchase your own return shipping and send us the tracking details for our records.
If you refuse a delivery, miss your delivery appointment(s), provide an inaccurate/non-deliverable address, it is considered Refusal of Delivery. If an item is refused upon delivery for any reason other than showing obvious signs of damage, you are responsible for both outgoing and return shipping cost.
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45 Day Returns
Return within 45 days for a full refund
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