String Instruments Viola: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying a viola involves decisions that do not arise with most other instruments. Because there is no single standardised full size, choosing one requires matching the instrument's body length to the player's physical dimensions, evaluating setup quality, assessing bow compatibility and — especially at lower price points — understanding that the quality of the setup often matters as much as the instrument itself.

Size First: Everything Else Follows

The most important decision when purchasing a string instruments viola is body length. Adult orchestral violas typically fall between 15.5 and 17 inches (approximately 39 to 43 cm). The right size for an individual player depends on arm length, hand span, shoulder comfort and the ability to reach fourth-finger notes without tension. A teacher or experienced luthier should assess this in person — no chart or formula substitutes for playing a candidate instrument and checking for strain.

A larger string instruments viola generally offers more resonance, particularly on the C and G strings. But a larger instrument that causes left-hand tension or difficulty shifting will impede progress and may cause injury over time. Playability is not a concession to comfort: it is essential to musical development.

Student, Intermediate and Professional

Violas are commonly described in three tiers. Student instruments — typically factory-made from laminate or lower-grade tonewoods — are built to a price and vary considerably in quality. Intermediate instruments use better tonewoods, more careful graduation and improved setup. Professional instruments are workshop- or hand-made, often from seasoned tonewoods and with a setup completed by a skilled luthier.

At the student level, the setup is frequently more important than the instrument itself. A student violin-family instrument that arrives with a correctly fitted bridge, properly placed soundpost, good string clearance and well-fitted pegs will play considerably better than one with an unchecked setup. Many buyers have the mistaken impression that a difficult student instrument is simply a weak instrument, when the real issue is setup.

The Bow

A viola bow is heavier than a violin bow and requires appropriate matching to the player's technique and the instrument. Student outfits commonly include a basic brazilwood or fibreglass bow. For serious playing, a correctly weighted, well-balanced bow makes a meaningful difference — particularly on the C string, which requires more bow weight and slower bow speed to draw a focused tone. If buying a complete outfit, try the bow separately and assess its balance point and weight.

Setup: What to Verify

Before completing any purchase of a string instruments viola, verify the following:

• Bridge fit: the feet should sit flat on the top plate without gaps
• Bridge curvature: correct for comfortable left-hand shifting between strings
• String clearance: strings should not sit too high at the nut or over the fingerboard
• Peg fit: pegs should turn smoothly and hold without slipping
• Soundpost position: not visible to check directly, but tonal unevenness between strings may indicate a problem
• Open seams or cracks: inspect the edge seams with a bright light; any opening should be assessed by a luthier

Strings

The strings that come with a student instrument are not always optimal. Synthetic-core strings are the most common choice for modern classical playing — they combine warmth, stability and reasonable bow response. Steel-core strings offer more projection and tuning stability. Gut-core strings are used in historically informed performance. For a beginner, a reputable set of synthetic strings installed as part of a setup is a reliable starting point.

Renting First

For students who are new to the instrument or are still growing into their final size, renting a properly set-up instrument from a reputable music shop is often better than buying immediately. It removes the risk of investing in an instrument the player will grow out of, and it allows time to confirm the right size before committing. For a closer look at how the various models and tiers compare in value, the best for the money article covers this in detail. The full overview covers the instrument's construction and characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions