Size
String instruments are made in many different sizes to fit students as they grow. Violin and cello sizes are described in fractions (1/16, 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full size.) Adults, unless they are very small, would normally use a full-size instrument. The bow and case should match the size of the instrument.

Violas are usually described by body length in inches, such as 13", 14", or 16". A 14" viola has the same body length as a full size violin; however, the body of the viola is normally deeper in order to accommodate the resonance of the lower pitched strings.

Choosing the correct size for a student is essential for the young string player. Although parents will wisely choose clothing in a larger size for a child to "grow into," this is not a good practice in choosing an instrument size. An instrument that is too large will contribute to poor technical habits and frustration.

Beginning outfits
Our Academia Cavallo and Conservatory outfits include the bow and case. A. Cavallo Violins strives to set the highest possible standards for our beginning outfits; the Academia and Conservatory instruments are completely hand-carved and have all ebony or rosewood fittings, have hand-applied spirit or oil varnish and have inlaid purfling.

Set-up
Most instruments leave the workshop where they were made in an "unfitted" condition - not tuned or adjusted for the best sound and for the individual student. To the untrained eye, an unfitted instrument may appear perfectly finished and ready to play.

We spend several hours of set-up work on each individual instrument. The bridge is carved and adjusted to the proper height and shape for maximum tone and response. The finger board is planed for accurate intonation and eliminate buzzes. We cut the sound post to the proper fit, which enhances the tone and stability of the instrument. Pegs are adjusted for ease in tuning. We customize each violin, viola or cello with the best choice of strings for the acoustics of the individual instrument.

The staff at A. Cavallo Violins are trained extensively in repair and set-up, and will ensure just the "right fit" for each individual instrument we sell. We will be happy to customize strings or fittings for you.

The right instrument for you
At A. Cavallo Violins, we will play various instruments for you and point out the differences and things to look and listen for. All of our staff have musical training and care a great deal about helping students and professionals find the instrument that suits them.

A general music store or discount catalog shop may offer an instrument from a particular maker which is cheaper than the same instrument sold in a violin shop. Most likely, the less expensive instrument would be sold directly from the maker's shipping box with no attention paid to set-up, and the music store probably does not offer any guarantee or trade-in policy. If a person selects the cheaper instrument hoping to have the extra set-up work done later at a violin shop, the labor costs are apt to be very high, which will make the instrument more expensive than if it had been purchased from A. Cavallo Violins.

What determines the price?
The price of an instrument is not only determined by the quality of the sound it produces.

The assessment of sound quality, like the taste of food or preference in color, is entirely personal. Market value of an instrument is determined by many factors, but primarily by the quality of the workmanship and materials used and the country or school of the maker or shop.

A good string instrument can last for hundreds of years. Therefore used instruments are not a bargain, and often more expensive than new ones. Many people feel that old instruments acquire a very desirable and special sound. Instruments from many makers will go up in price as their availability diminishes and their age increases. Therefore, the purchase of a good instrument is also a good investment. An inexpensive, poorly made and poorly sounding instrument is no bargain if it causes the beginner to become frustrated and stop playing, therefore you should never buy the inexpensive, "bargain" instrument just because of low cost.

There are some instruments on the market that are so poorly made that they will never sound good, they do not hold up well to even normal use and are hard or even impossible to play well. If a person is not familiar with string instruments, it is very hard to choose a good one or an appropriate one. A. Cavallo Violins can help with the choice and demonstrate various instruments for the prospective student. Our owner, Alexander Ross, is an active teacher and performer, and founded the shop and continues to operate it with the best possible instruments and service for the student and young professional in mind.

Strings
Strings are classified by the type of material from which they are made, such as plain gut, gut wound with metal, synthetic core strings, steel wound with steel, etc. Strings are usually available in three gauges: thick, medium and thin.

Which kind of string is the best type to use is a very subjective question. It depends on the personal taste of the musician and the acoustical qualities of the instrument. Experimentation will determine which is the best for you. Some instruments may require a combination of different types of strings.

At A.Cavallo, we strive to determine which type of string would be the best for each student or player as a part of our set-up and will customize according to you needs and your teacher's recommendation.