An orchestral string instrument, comprising a resonant chamber and housing defined by a back member, curved sides and a front member having a pair of f holes positioned on opposing sides of a bridge support location on the front. The housing also includes a sound peg disposed between the front and back and a central axis extending between the f holes from an upper end of the housing to an opposing lower end. A fingerboard and neck are attached to the upper end of the housing and include a longitudinal central axis in a laterally offset position from the central axis of the housing. A nut is provided for supporting strings of the instrument above the fingerboard, wherein the nut is coupled to a distal end of the fingerboard and neck. A tail piece is attached to a lower end of the housing in a comparable offset position with the offset position of the fingerboard and neck, the tail piece being configured for supporting lower ends of the strings. Finally, a scroll with string pegs laterally positioned in sides of the scroll for adjustably supporting upper ends of the strings is attached to the nut in alignment with the fingerboard.