Hi mike,
As I understand it, the tenore violas are anything 17" or more, but there is no real set limit on size, just most people cannot handle an instrument over 16 1/2".
When people want a tenore instrument and cannot handle it in violin position, they just put it in "viola da gamba position" (or "'cello position" as some people would say :-). Originally, though, they were built to be played in viola position.
Just a comment on large violas: watch your hand and fingers as you extend your arm in playing position- the fingers are pulled together as your arm goes out farther and tension is added in the arm, so string length is more of a factor than body size itself, IMO (extending the arm for the same string length as a smaller instrument doesn't affect the arm as much, but there are still limits...)
A tenore is 17+ inches and contralto is 15.75-17" and an alto is 14.5-15.75" (it also depends on the tone). Historically, there would be 3 parts for violas, one for each instrument for different tonality... The deeper lower tones were preferred, though.
Okay, I more than answered your question... I'll hush up now :-).
Daniel
: : Hi.
: : I read somewhere, I think in the Hill's book (even though I can't find it now), that he made a few child violins. These violins were probably comissioned by royality. He also made several 19 inch violas, just the thought of a 19 inch viola scares me
: : Ben
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This antique Violin has a label inside saying Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 1713 Made in Czechoslovakia. It has been in my family since the 1920s. From what I have read on the web, these violins were made in Germany and Czechoslovakia between WWI and WWII. There is also a bow needing new hair which is marked Japan included with the violin. This is item is being sold AS-IS and NO RETURNS so look carefully at the pictures and ask questions before bidding.
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October 4, 2006 at 06:41 PM · My husband found a strad copy in the trash the other day and now i'm wondering how old it might be.
the label says antonius stradivarius cremonensis faciebat anno 1713 made in czechoslovakia. It's printed and on the side of the label there's a lion standing on a drum and unerneath it says legalone or legatone. Does Faciebat anno 1713 mean that it's made after a model from that year or does it mean that the violin itself is made in 1713? If not does anyone know how old these violins usually are? you can see that it's an old instrument, it doesn't look like the factory made instruments they have nowadays. By the way is it factory or hand made? Thanks for your help!
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A VIOLIN
Labeled Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 1713 Made in Czechoslovakia, length of back: 14 1/16 in. (357 mm) with nickel-mounted violin bow and case (3)
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THREE GERMAN VIOLINS
Bearing the labels Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 1713 - Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 17 MADE IN GERMANY - Adjusted COPY OF Amati 188- (3)
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