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Peter Zaret & Sons Violin shop has an extensive inventory of superb Violas, ranging from the Old Masters to high-quality new instruments from around the world. Our store's selection includes instruments for the most discriminating professional and/or collector, to those important early instruments for students.
Over the years, we have successfully helped hundreds of violists find an instrument that is ideal for his or her individual playing style, musical needs and skill levels. This is a particularly interesting and idiosyncratic challenge with violas as they are far less standardized than violins. Furthermore, violas as instruments have the built-in challenge of being too small for their acoustical range. Among other things it is more difficult to achieve a correct balance between all the strings as opposed to the violin and particular care must be taken to select strings and string combinations that complement the individual viola.
Below are samples of some of the instruments we currently have available.
Our Inventory of Violas
Maintaining a continually rotating quality inventory can be challenging as it is becoming increasingly difficult to find fine older violas, particularly from the most desired countries such as Italy and France. A growing number of gifted students and professionals are competing for a limited supply of these rare and expensive instruments -- those which are both older and still in good playing condition. Fortunately, due to our reputation in the string instrument community we are continually offered fine instruments to buy or take on consignment. In recent years, our collection has included the works of such makers as Mario Gadda, Piero Badalassi, Francesco Bissolotti, Giuseppe Nupieri, Primo Contavalli, Paul Hilaire among others. We usually have some good examples of these works or comparable instruments available.
However, it is not sufficient merely to have a large selection of older instruments. The instruments should also be in the best possible condition. An old viola with a multitude of cracks, poor retouching and/or other repairs represents an unsound investment from the standpoints of dollars, tone and reliability. We try only to sell instruments that are in at least good condition. With our 100% trade-in policy we know that a good many of these instruments will return in one way or another.
In addition to our older instruments our inventory includes new violas that we believe will improve with age. After all, every Stradivarius was once new! Some very fine violas are being built these days and depending on your budget, an excellent new instrument may offer much more bang for your buck than can an older viola that is less expensive due to poor condition or other problems.
When Times are Tough -- High-End Rental Program
During difficult economic times may we suggest our High-End Rental program? Details at the bottom of the Rentals page. Let us help you get the high-quality instrument you want.
Our Patented Bass Bar
We also offer another option. We sell quite a few instruments with Peter Zaret's patented bass bar. This bass bar greatly enhances the tone. It gives the viola a deeper, richer and more responsive alto-like quality. The tone is more powerful and better balanced and gets rid of the wolf tones almost entirely. We sell these instruments, both old and new at a fraction of the price of the increasingly scarce French and Italian violas. More can be read about this in articles that appeared in the May 2003 issue of Strad Magazine (Banishing the WolfDoes Peter Zaret's patented redesign of the bass-bar really give a stronger wolf-free sound?), and the March 2004 issue of Strings Magazine (Ace of BassPeter Zaret's patented bass bar pleases players and puzzles Luthiers).
If you are seeking a fine viola, we invite you to call or visit and find out what we have to offer. Of course, our collection is constantly changing. Our staff will be happy to show you our offerings or if you aren't in Ohio and desire not to travel we will be happy to send some instruments to you. Instruments will be shipped within 48 hours unless there is a scarcity.
We work directly with the students, parents, and teachers.
Viola Society: www.viola.com
"Through its mailing lists, The Viola Web Site provides a forum for violists to discuss, work together and inform each other of their viola-related activities, such as upcoming events, plans for the next viola congress, development of new chapters", etc.
Canadian Viola Society: www.viola.ca
A "society for violists and viola enthusiasts! Among our members are many well-known professional violists as well as those who play solely for their own enjoyment."
American Viola Society: www.americanviolasociety.org
"Welcome to the website of the American Viola Society! Whatever your connection with the viola, whether student, symphony professional, adult amateur, college professor, instrument maker, concert artist - THIS SOCIETY IS HERE TO SERVE YOU!"
Folk Viola.com: www.folkviola.com
"Welcome to the FolkViola website. FolkViola, a warm, rich, sonorous stringed instrument playing the traditional music of the world. A new and little explored repertoire and soundscape, deeply expressive and full of surprises. Music to stir the heart and send your feet leaping up to dance."
You may also be interested in our article: How to Choose a Viola
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