Violins    

The violin is the best-known and most widely-used of all string instruments.

In its present form, it has remained practically unchanged for more than 400 years.

Made of 82 pieces, including the strings, every part is important, contributing not only to the beauty and strength of the design but also to the resonance and tone quality of the instrument.   

Essentially, it is a hollow box, about 14” in length and 21/2” deep. The width across the upper bouts is about 69/16”, across the inner or C bouts about 45/16”, across the lower bouts about 83/16”. With all the fittings it weighs about 20 ounces. It supports a tension on the strings of around 68 pounds and a vertical pressure on the bridge of about 26 pounds.
For details about a violin's parts and construction, visit our violin anatomy page. 

Modern violins basically are made after the pattern of the great makers such as Stradivari and Guarneri, with subtle, individual differences expressing the artistry and creativity of the makers.