Editing Cello (section)

==Sizes==
[[File:Full size and fractional cello.jpg|thumb|{{frac|1|8}} size cello with full size cello]]
Standard-sized cellos are referred to as "full-size" or "{{frac|4|4}}" but are also made in smaller (fractional) sizes, including {{frac|15|16}}, {{frac|7|8}}, {{frac|3|4}}, {{frac|1|2}}, {{frac|1|4}}, {{frac|1|8}}, {{frac|1|10}}, and {{frac|1|16}}. The fractions refer to volume rather than length, so a {{frac|1|2}} size cello is much longer than half the length of a full size. The smaller cellos are identical to standard cellos in construction, range, and usage, but are simply scaled-down for the benefit of children and shorter adults.

Cellos in sizes larger than {{frac|4|4}} do exist, and cellists with unusually large hands may require such a non-standard instrument. Cellos made before {{circa|1700}} tended to be considerably larger than those made and commonly played today. Around 1680, changes in string-making technology made it possible to play lower-pitched notes on shorter strings. The cellos of [[Stradivari]], for example, can be clearly divided into two models: the style made before 1702, characterized by larger instruments (of which only three exist in their original size and configuration), and the style made during and after 1707, when Stradivari began making smaller cellos. This later model is the design most commonly used by modern luthiers. The [[Scale length (string instruments)|scale length]] of a {{frac|4|4}} cello is about {{convert|27+1/2|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on}}. The new size offered fuller tonal projection and a greater range of expression. The instrument in this form was able to contribute to more pieces musically and offered the possibility of greater physical dexterity for the player to develop technique.<ref name="size">{{cite book|last=Stowell|first=Robin|title=The Cambridge Companion to the String Quartet|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0bJAZU27hWEC|date=November 13, 2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-00042-0}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Approximate dimensions for {{frac|4|4}} size cello<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.stevensoncases.co.uk/chart.htm
 |title=Table of 'cello measurements
 |access-date=2007-10-26
 |first=Alan |last=Stevenson
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080104141444/http://www.stevensoncases.co.uk/chart.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-01-04}}</ref>
! Average size
|-
| Approximate width horizontally from A peg to C peg ends
| {{convert|6.3|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| Back length excluding half-round where neck joins
| {{convert|29.7|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| Upper bouts (shoulders)
| {{convert|13.4|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| Lower bouts (hips)
| {{convert|17.3|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| Bridge height
| {{convert|3.5|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| Rib depth at shoulders including edges of front and back
| {{convert|4.9|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| Rib depth at hips including edges
| {{convert|5.0|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| Distance beneath fingerboard to surface of belly at neck join
| {{convert|0.9|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| Bridge to back total depth
| {{convert|10.5|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| Overall height excluding end pin
| {{convert|47.6|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|-
| End pin unit and spike
| {{convert|2.2|in|cm|1|order=flip|abbr=on}}
|}