Dwight Brown

Olive wood is used for recorders some. It is usually one of the more expensive choices.

Looks interesting. DLB

There is a viola playing David Holland student on facebook who plays a very large baroque viola. He also happens to no do a sideline as a gut string dealer. He might know something? DLB

I wonder if there might be some input from New violin family people? Perhaps some cross pollination from guitar or other plucked instrument (Lute?) By the way you can see my teacher to the left of me in my picture here. I imagine he is home cheering for his Fighting Hooziers today! He was the starting quarterback in his days at IU Just a thought. DLB

My teacher played on an 18 3/4" original Ritter (he is 6'7"!). I didn't know there were 5 string instruments. I would think the top E would have to be steel or perhaps silk? The metallurgy of the 19th century had certainly progressed a great deal and steel able to stand up to the task should have been available. Chromium steel was being made by Krupp as early as 1840. DLB

Sean Bishop in London or perhaps Tarisio. There are certainly others. DLB

It looks like it has possibilities. Needs to be seen by an expert. If you could tell us your general location somebody might give you a suggestion. DLB

https://sova.si.edu/record/nmah.ac.0469/ref1151?s=0&n=10&t=K&q=*&i=0 I found this at the Smithsonian. Not sure it helps. DLB

I'm not a small person in height or width :-) I played a 16 5/8" viola from high school through college and into decades of teaching. I had a problem that I called "Cement Wrist". My left wrist would get rigid and immobile. I tried about anything and everything to get it to quit. I wound up teaching most of the time with a violin and that actually worked out fine as a school teacher. Much later on I bought a very nice William Whedbee 16" viola at auction and all of a sudden I could play that instrument with no wrist problems. I realize it's only 5/8" but It sure seemed to make a big difference. I am willing to admit that it may all have been between my ears but it did seem to help a lot. God knows that I'm not threat to the Primrose Contest but it sure is nice to play without pain. DLB

You might also try Sean Bishop in London. He is a very good violist and He has a very good inventory of Violas and viola bows. I have done business with him and I can recommend him highly. https://bishopstrings.com/instruments/ DLB

I can reccomend Chris Jacoby. I have a N. Bergonzi model by him that is very nice. Robertson and Sons in New Mexico has a good viola selection. Try everything you can as some instruments due to their design will feel smaller or larger to a given player. Don't concentrate on any one string or volume level. It is important to have an instrument who's sound holds together at P and PP levels as well as one that plays well at F and FF. DLB

Where are you located? DLB

This is an inexpensive factory made instrument from the late 19th or early 20th century. It is nothing to do with an actual Stradivari. The cost to repair, clean, and set it up would certainly exceed its present value. Thousands of instruments like this were imported to this country in those years. I’m sorry not to have better news for you. DLB

I’m very sorry to hear about this may his memory be a blessing. DLB

The head is broken right through the center and glued poorly. It is a cheap bow and not worth much of anything, that is to say not worth a good rehair. DLB