The violin octet is a family of stringed instruments developed in the 20th century primarily under the direction of the American luthier Carleen Hutchins.

Each instrument is based directly on the traditional violin and shares its acoustical properties, with the goal of a richer and more homogeneous sound.

Players of these instruments use a variety of violin, viola, cello and double-bass bows, looking for the best fit they can at the moment.

The Albert Consort (based in Ithaca, New York) uses a set of instruments made by Robert Spear and the New Violin Family Orchestra, organized by the association Octavivo Archived 2013-05-16 at the Wayback Machine, which also uses instruments made by Robert Spear.

The instruments of the violin octet do not necessarily have to be used in the context of the consort and for playing music written especially for them.