Chapter XIV: The Position of the Neck

The neck of the violin must be regulated according to the width of the finger-board. It must be cut about 7 m/m. longer than the length required, when in position, in order to allow for its insertion in the block; the entire length of the neck from the nut to the end should measure 135 m/m. When this has been duly arranged, the neck can be fitted into the block. The small semi-circular elongation of the back of the violin, in common with the upper block, serves principally to support the neck and keep it in position, at the same time giving the performer a correct hold.

The finger-board having been glued to the neck, it is of the utmost importance that the latter should be fitted in very carefully, so that it protrude 5 m/m. from the belly (Fig. 8_e_).

If the gauge be placed on the centre of the finger-board in the line _a a_ (Fig. I and II), the end _a_ (Fig. 9, third plate) should fall exactly on the line of connection between the innermost excisions of the F-holes, having its centre under the place where the bridge stands, so that the finger-board may exactly coincide with the measure.

This arrangement gives us not only the correct position of the finger-board, but also, as we shall see later on, the right height of the bridge, 35 m/m., and also the suitable position of the strings according to their height. The measurement marked upon the gauge (Fig. 9), viz.: from _a_ (beginning of the nut) as far as the upper edge of the belly _b_ (end of the neck) and thence to _a_ (place of the bridge) must be in such proportion to one another as to give the violin practical dimensions and height of bridge.