mensur

noun

1. The measurement of the length of the vibrating string from the nut to the bridge.

   “This is a slightly odd mensur for instruments tuned to a modern pitch of A-440 as it is slightly short for an instrument in F, which would be more comfortable at 65 cm or 66 cm, and it is too long for an instrument in G, which is more comfortable at 60cm or 61cm.”

   “In general gut tensions run toward the high end for a given mensur at a diameter equal to an equivalent nylon string, which would seem consistent with the 20% or so higher density of gut.”

   “His works show reasonably accurate workmanship, but at times his violin-making production is characterised by models that are too personal, leading to the size of the mensur being too long.”