Scala Vilagio F.H. Gasparo da Salo Viola WN

Viola

Gasparo Bertolotti ‘daSaló’ is one of the most successful violin makers in Brescia. He was not only a musician himself, which helped him to perfect the sound of his instruments, but he also trained important violin makers such as Maggini. He is known for his incredibly full and deep sounding instruments, which also include the small viola from 1580. The high arching of the top and back plates, as well as the enormous width of the body, contribute to this sound. It is a very light viola with a short scale length and a large sound. This Gasparo is perfect for delicate fingers and violists looking for an easy-to-play instrument.

Unlike the tops of conventional string instruments, this viola's top is not carved out of a single piece of wood. It is bent out of thin spruce plates, as has been practised in English viola making for centuries. This technique avoids breaking the wood fibres at the edges, which makes the blank considerably stiffer. In order to achieve the natural resonance of a carved plate, the curved top can be made thinner and thus lighter. A lower mass can be made to vibrate faster – in other words, it responds more easily. In addition, instruments with curved tops sound louder overall. The nut back also contributes to a darker sound.

• Handmade in Germany by master violin maker Florian Hertzsch
• Top made of Alpine spruce
• Back and sides: Walnut
• Ebony fingerboard
• Ebony fittings
• Antique oil varnish with amber varnish from our own production according to the Italian model
• Thin layer of varnish for freely vibrating wood
• Traces of wear and tear modelled on old Italian violins
• Final sound adjustment carried out via bridge and sound post
• Back length: 392 mm / 15.5"
• Bridge position: 209 mm
• Neck length: 139 mm
• Strings: Thomastik Dominant
• Includes certificate and Jakob Winter viola case 51015 CAB