A viola

[JavierPortero]

Nothing special, just a 15 inches viola, any thoughs? Nice rippled back and nice tone.

[Rothwein]

Lovely!

 

 

My only "worry" would be the A-string finetuner. One with more space for the string winding so the ball doesn't snap off.

[Dwight Brown]

Looks interesting.

DLB

[JavierPortero]

1 hour ago, Rothwein said:

Lovely!

 

 

My only "worry" would be the A-string finetuner. One with more space for the string winding so the ball doesn't snap off.

fine tuner is no longer there... open gut A now

[Wood Butcher]

I would think Markneukirchen/Schonbach trade.

[JavierPortero]

Any idea of what their origin and age may be?

[Rothwein]

It's probably late 19th century, but guessing which side of the border it came from (I lean toward Markneukirchen for this one) is more story value than anything.

Glad the pegs work!

[JavierPortero]

I've had the viola for a couple of days now, and it definitely needs a visit to my luthier's workshop for a setup. I'd be interested in reusing those tuning pegs if the luthier can recycle them. After that, maybe some cosmetic work to enhance the instrument's value, within the context of the instrument itself!

[JavierPortero]

I'll keep updating; any further opinions are welcome!

[JavierPortero]

A brief audio clip

 

[JavierPortero]

Some more pics. How about this in the neck? 

  

Some ripples in the back

[Blank face]

 It could have started like this one, as they made it in Saxony occasionally as a sort of transition from throughneck to modern attachment.

[JavierPortero]

17 hours ago, Blank face said:

 It could have started like this one, as they made it in Saxony occasionally as a sort of transition from throughneck to modern attachment.

Thanks, very interesting, learning something new every day.

After  my luthier bushed and repaired the pegs I am playing this viola quite a bit this days, played last two symphony concerts of the season with it, never played a small viola like this before and I have to say I am a but surprised with the sound.

Cannot say it has the depth of sound of other violas I played but the easy enunciation, facility and crispy sound is something to consider in some repertoire... 

Still have to find the right strings for this instrument, currently using a set of Kaplan AMO, gut strings were flabby, suggestions are welcome!