It’s a conundrum: can a small violist be satisfied with the sound of a small viola? It is just a tall order to get the kind of presence found in larger violas when you are only working with a 15-1/2″ body length instrument, but it is a challenge that interests me greatly. The success of […]
Small Package, Big Sound Read More »
My violas have all been inspired by the outlines of the same 1560 Andrea Amati viola found in the collection of the National Music Museum in Vermillion, SD This most recent viola off my bench is a departure from my earlier violas of the same size (16-3/8″). Those were notable for their power and clarity,
First Look: Amati Inspired 16-3/8″ Viola Read More »
This is a recently completed 15-5/8″ body length (40.0 cm) viola with a 14-1/2″ string length (36.9 cm). It’s my model inspired by the outline of a 1560 Andrea Amati viola. I spent a good session with a professional violist optimizing the setup on this instrument — it speaks easily and is remarkably even across
A Fine Smaller Viola Read More »