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Musikhaus Korn String Instruments Guide

String Instruments Guide: Find the Instrument and Setup That Suit You

Violin, viola, cello or double bass? Choosing the right bowed string instrument involves more than sound alone. Instrument size, posture, arm reach and the intended musical setting all matter. This guide takes you from your first instrument and the correct violin size to bows, strings, care, electric violins, pickups and microphone solutions.

Find Your Instrument Discover String Instruments

Violin, Viola, Cello & Double Bass Sizes, Bows & Strings Explained Care, Pickups & Microphones Included

9 Specialist guides for instruments and accessories

4 Central families: violin, viola, cello and double bass

1/8–4/4 Common violin sizes covered in the size guide

30 Selected product examples from the guide

Nine Specialist Guides

From Your First Violin to Pickups & Microphones

Start with instrument selection or go directly to the topic that matters for your current setup.

Getting Started

Violin for Beginners

Learn about violin sizes, complete outfits, bows, shoulder rests and the equipment required for lessons.

Ergonomics

Which Violin Size?

Compare 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 4/4 instruments using arm reach and relaxed posture as the main criteria.

Young Players

Violin for Children

Body size, arm length, hand size and a relaxed playing position are more useful than buying an oversized instrument to grow into.

Low Strings

Cello for Beginners

Understand cello sizes, posture, endpin adjustment, bow choice and a practical first complete setup.

Traditional or Amplified

Acoustic or Electric Violin?

Compare natural body resonance with direct amplification, headphones, effects and stage-oriented electric instruments.

Control & Articulation

Choosing a Bow

Match bow size, balance and handling to the instrument and compare traditional wood with modern carbon alternatives.

Tone & Response

Strings for String Instruments

Choose the correct instrument size and scale and compare string sets according to response, tension and the required application.

Maintenance

String Instrument Care

Remove rosin dust, loosen the bow after playing and recognise when bridge, pegs or glued joints should be checked professionally.

Stage & Recording

Pickups & Mics for String Instruments

Compare piezo pickups, clip microphones, stand-mounted microphones and the signal chain required for stage and recording use.

Four Central Instrument Families

Violin, Viola, Cello or Double Bass?

Register, body size, posture and musical role are useful starting points when comparing bowed string instruments.

High Register

Violin

Clear, agile and highly versatile. The violin is held at the shoulder and collarbone and appears in lessons, orchestras, chamber music, folk, pop and solo playing.

Middle Register

Viola

Larger and lower than a violin, the viola provides a warmer and darker middle voice and is especially important in chamber music and orchestral ensembles.

Low & Singing

Cello

The cello is played seated between the legs and supported by an endpin. Its broad range covers deep accompaniment as well as lyrical melody lines.

Lowest Foundation

Double Bass

The double bass provides the lowest foundation of the family and is used in orchestras, jazz, rockabilly and bands. Size, scale length, transport and bowing versus pizzicato all matter.

Direct Comparison

String Instruments at a Glance

Instrument	Typical Register & Character	Playing Position	Common Applications
Violin	High, clear, agile	Shoulder / collarbone	Lessons, orchestra, folk, pop, solo
Viola	Lower and warmer than violin	Shoulder, larger body	Chamber music, orchestra, ensemble
Cello	Deep, full, singing	Seated between the legs	Classical, film music, pop, cello ensemble
Double Bass	Lowest foundation	Standing or on a high stool	Orchestra, jazz, rockabilly, band

Fit the Instrument to the Player

Which Violin Size Is Correct?

Age is only a rough guide. Arm reach, hand size and a relaxed playing position provide the more useful indication of whether a violin fits.

The scroll and pegbox should be reachable without fully stretching the arm, lifting the shoulder or twisting the upper body. A violin that is too large makes clean technique unnecessarily difficult.

Buying an oversized children's violin so that the player can “grow into it” is therefore not recommended.

Detailed Violin Size Guide Violin for Children

$GEWA Pure 1/8 violin outfit as an example of a fractional-size children's violin$

Violin Size	Approx. Arm Length	Typical Orientation	Fit Check
1/8	Approx. 43 cm	Small children	Shoulder remains relaxed; no full arm extension
1/4	Approx. 47 cm	Young students	Scroll can be reached comfortably
1/2	Approx. 52 cm	Children	Left elbow retains comfortable movement
3/4	Approx. 56–57 cm	Older children / teenagers	Pegbox reachable without stretching
4/4	From approx. 60 cm	Older teenagers / adults	Use only when the full-size instrument fits comfortably

Important: these measurements are only orientation values. The decisive question is whether the player can hold and reach the instrument in a relaxed playing position.

Traditional Resonance or Direct Signal

Acoustic or Electric Violin?

Natural Body Resonance

Acoustic Violin

The wooden body amplifies the string vibration acoustically. This is the traditional choice for classical lessons, orchestral playing, chamber music and situations where a natural unamplified instrument is required.

Pickup Signal

Electric Violin

An electric violin uses a pickup and needs headphones, an amplifier, mixer or audio interface to reproduce the complete electrical signal.

It remains mechanically audible through the strings, bow and instrument construction, so it is not completely silent.

Acoustic vs Electric Violin

The Instrument Is Only Part of the Setup

Bow, Strings, Rosin & Regular Care

Bow balance, the correct string set and routine maintenance all influence playability and help protect the instrument.

Articulation & Control

Choose the Correct Bow

The bow must match the instrument size and should feel controllable and balanced. Wood and carbon bows provide different combinations of weight, response and durability.

Tone & Response

Use the Correct String Set

Strings must match the instrument and its size or scale. Damage, corrosion, tuning instability or a noticeably dull response can indicate that replacement is due.

Bow Hair

Rosin Creates Grip

Rosin provides the bow hair with the friction required to excite the strings. Use an appropriate product and remove excess rosin dust from the instrument after playing.

After Every Playing Session

Four Basic Care Steps

Remove Rosin Dust

Wipe the strings and instrument surface carefully with a suitable clean cloth after playing.

Loosen the Bow

Release bow-hair tension after playing before returning the bow to its case.

Check Bridge, Pegs & Fine Tuners

Look for obvious changes without trying to force the bridge, pegs or mechanical parts back into position.

Store Dry & Protected

Keep the instrument and bow in an appropriate case or other protected storage solution.

Leave structural work to a specialist: bridge position, stubborn pegs, open glued joints and varnish problems should not be treated experimentally with unsuitable household products or excessive force.

Complete Care Guide

Stage, Recording & Amplification

Pickup or Microphone for Violin, Viola & Cello?

Pickups and microphones solve different problems. Choose according to stage volume, movement, desired acoustic character and the rest of the signal chain.

Direct & Controlled

Piezo Pickup

A piezo pickup captures mechanical vibration directly from the instrument. This can provide a controlled signal on louder stages and during mobile performances.

Constant Distance

Clip Microphone

A microphone attached to the instrument moves with the player while capturing more acoustic body and air than a typical contact pickup.

Natural Recording

Microphone on a Stand

In a quiet studio or ensemble setting, a stand-mounted microphone can capture the complete instrument and room most naturally.

Signal-chain tip: passive piezo pickups can benefit from a suitable high-impedance input or preamp. Depending on the setup, also consider phantom power, wireless transmission, audio interface, mixer and monitoring.

Pickup & Microphone Guide

Shop by Product Group

String Instrument Categories at Musikhaus Korn

Violins & Violas

Cellos

Double Basses

Bows

Strings

Cases & Bags

Violin & Viola Accessories

Cello Accessories

Double Bass Accessories

Shoulder Rests

String Instrument Stands

All String Instruments

30 Selected Examples

String Instruments & Accessories from the Guide

The following examples cover complete violin and cello outfits, electric instruments, bows, strings, care, storage, pickups and microphone solutions.

All String Instruments

Violins & Electric Violin

GEWA Pure Violin Outfit HW in 1/8 size for smaller players

Pure Violin Outfit HW 1/8

Fractional-size complete violin outfit for smaller players.

Hidersine Studenti half-size violin outfit

Studenti Violin Outfit 1/2

Half-size violin outfit for young students.

Hidersine Uno three-quarter-size violin outfit

Uno Violin Outfit 3/4

Three-quarter-size outfit for growing violin students.

Hidersine Vivente full-size violin outfit

Vivente Violin Outfit 4/4

Full-size violin outfit for older students and adults.

GEWA limited 100 Years GEWA full-size violin set

Violin LTD 100 Years GEWA Set 4/4

Full-size violin set from the GEWA anniversary range.

Hidersine HEV1 full-size electric violin set

HEV1 Electric Violin Set 4/4

Full-size electric violin setup for amplified playing.

Cellos

STAGG ECL 4/4 BK black electric cello with bag

ECL 4/4 BK Electric Cello

Full-size electric cello for amplified and headphone-based practice.

GEWA Allegro VC-1 three-quarter-size cello outfit

Allegro VC-1 3/4 Cello

Three-quarter-size cello setup for smaller players.

Hidersine Vivente Academy full-size cello outfit

Vivente Academy Cello Outfit 4/4

Full-size cello outfit for lessons and developing players.

GEWA Pure HW full-size cello outfit

Pure Cello Outfit HW 4/4

Full-size acoustic cello outfit.

Bows

GEWA Massaranduba Student full-size violin bow

Massaranduba Student Violin Bow 4/4

Traditional student bow for full-size violin.

GEWA Carbon Student full-size violin bow

Carbon Student Violin Bow 4/4

Carbon alternative for full-size violin.

Hidersine 5061B three-quarter-size student cello bow

5061B Student Cello Bow 3/4

Student bow matched to a three-quarter-size cello.

GEWA Carbon Student half-size cello bow

Carbon Student Cello Bow 1/2

Carbon bow matched to a half-size cello.

Strings

D'Addario Prelude Medium string set for three-quarter-size violin

Prelude Medium Violin 3/4

Medium-tension string set for a three-quarter-size violin.

D'Addario Prelude Medium string set for full-size violin

Prelude Medium Violin 4/4

Medium-tension string set for full-size violin.

Thomastik Dominant 135 medium violin string set

Dominant 135 Violin Medium

Established medium violin string set.

D'Addario Prelude Medium string set for full-size cello

Prelude Medium Cello 4/4

Medium string set for full-size cello.

STAGG CE-1859-ST string set for full-size and three-quarter-size cello

CE-1859-ST Cello 4/4–3/4

Cello string set for 4/4 and 3/4 instruments.

Posture, Care & Storage

Wolf Forte Secondo shoulder rest for full-size and three-quarter-size violin

Forte Secondo 4/4–3/4

Adjustable shoulder rest for violin posture and support.

GEWA Liuterie rosin for violin and viola bows

Rosin for creating the required grip between bow hair and strings.

Luthier Professional Varnish Cleaner 50 ml for suitable instrument surfaces

Professional Varnish Cleaner 50 ml

Dedicated care product for appropriate varnished instrument surfaces.

K&M 15550 stand for violin and ukulele

K&M 15550 Violin Stand

Compact stand for safely placing a violin between playing sessions.

K&M 14130 stand for cello

K&M 14130 Cello Stand

Dedicated stand for safely supporting a cello.

Pickups, Microphones & Preamp

Fishman V-100 pickup for violin

V-100 Violin Pickup

Pickup solution for amplifying an acoustic violin.

KNA Pickups VV-3 pickup for violin and viola

VV-3 Violin / Viola Pickup

Pickup system for amplified violin and viola applications.

KNA Pickups VC-1 passive pickup for cello

VC-1 Cello Pickup

Passive pickup solution designed for cello amplification.

TIE Studio TCX200 clip condenser microphone for violin

TCX200 Violin Microphone

Compact condenser clip microphone for violin.

Audio-Technica AT2031 condenser microphone for acoustic string instrument recording

Condenser microphone for natural acoustic instrument recording.

L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic DI preamp and DI for acoustic instrument pickup signals

Para Acoustic DI

Preamp and DI solution for acoustic-instrument pickup signals.

Manufacturer Worlds

Brands for String Instruments & Accessories

Explore instruments, bows, strings, pickups and accessories directly in the relevant manufacturer worlds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers About String Instruments

Which String Instrument Is Best for Beginners?

Violin and cello are common starting instruments, but there is no universal best choice. Consider the preferred sound and register, playing position, body size and the lessons that are available.

What Is Included in a Complete Violin Outfit?

A typical outfit combines a violin, a bow matched to its size and a case. Depending on the package, useful additions can include rosin, a shoulder rest, tuner and music stand.

Which Violin Size Does a Child Need?

Arm reach, hand size and relaxed posture are more useful than age alone. 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 are common fractional sizes before moving to a full-size 4/4 violin.

Should I Buy a Children's Violin Larger So They Can Grow Into It?

No. An oversized violin can force the player into an unnecessarily strained posture and make clean technique more difficult. Choose the size that fits now.

Is an Acoustic or Electric Violin Better?

An acoustic violin is the traditional choice for classical lessons and ensemble playing. Electric violins are particularly useful for headphones, effects, stage amplification and direct recording.

When Should String-Instrument Strings Be Replaced?

Damage, corrosion, tuning instability or a noticeably dull response can indicate that replacement is due. Always choose strings for the correct instrument size or scale.

How Do I Recognise a Suitable Bow?

The bow must match the instrument size and should feel balanced and controllable. Traditional wood and carbon bows offer different combinations of feel, weight and durability.

Is a Pickup or Microphone Better for String Instruments?

A piezo pickup provides a controlled direct signal that is useful on loud stages. A microphone can reproduce more of the acoustic body and air. The better choice depends on movement, stage volume, feedback requirements and the desired sound.

How Should a String Instrument Be Cared for After Playing?

Remove rosin dust carefully, loosen the bow and store the instrument dry and protected. Use only suitable care products and leave structural or mechanical repairs to an appropriate specialist.

The Guide Summarised

String Instruments Guide: Violin, Cello, Bows & Accessories

Violin, viola, cello and double bass differ in register, body size, playing position and musical role. For beginners, the best instrument is therefore not determined by one general rule, but by the sound the player enjoys, physical fit and the teaching situation.

Violin size deserves particular attention with children. Arm reach and relaxed posture should determine whether 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or a full-size 4/4 instrument is appropriate. An oversized instrument should not be chosen merely to allow for future growth.

The bow and strings are also part of the instrument system. Choose a bow in the correct size and replace strings when condition, response or tuning stability indicate that it is necessary. Remove rosin residue after playing, loosen the bow and store the instrument properly.

For amplification, piezo pickups provide a controlled direct signal, clip microphones maintain a constant distance while the player moves and stand-mounted microphones are particularly useful for natural studio and ensemble recordings.

Compare String Instruments Start with the Violin Guide

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