Instruments

Replicas

Viola

High Baroque

Viola High Baroque

Maker

Date

Provenance

Body length

Built

In

Matteo Goffriller (1659–1742)1720Venice
40.5 cm 41.5 cm 42.5 cm

Neck length

Stop length

Vibrating String length

14.4 cm22 cm37 cm
Matteo Goffriller Viola Hochbarock Venedig 1720, Vorderseite
Matteo Goffriller Viola Hochbarock Venedig 1720, Vorderseite

The model instrument is in private ownership. The original instrument had a body length of 40.5 cm, though the original neck length and components were lost during the restoration. The relatively long scale length of the top, combined with the reconstructed neck scale length, results in a playing scale that is also quite long in proportion. Due to the length, thinner strings can be used, with a positive effect on the instrument’s tone and resonance. To accommodate the needs and physical characteristics of musicians, I also craft the instrument based on the original dimensions with a body length of 41.5 or 42.5 cm.