I`m looking for a beginner viola, having never played any strings before. Looking at the two prominent online stores, www.sharmusic.com & www.swstrings.com, what they offer to beginners is far less expensive than anything I can find in my area.

I realize that you should always try out your instrument before buying, but I`m an absolute beginner who can`t even play. What are your thoughts on buying a first instrument online?

Also, what size should I be looking for? I am 6`, and have a fairly large armspan (29" from neck to top of palm). Is a 16.5" instrument advisable?

Thanks for your help.

If I were you, get a low-quality viola. DO NOT GET ANYTHING MADE IN CHINA!!!! It`s all cheap and it breaks easily. However, if you get a low-quality viola, it`s harder to appreciate the sound because it sounds cheap. But since you are so tall, I would go with a full-size viola; you should be able to handle it (I can and I`m only 5`9!). Hope that helps. Check music stores first and try what they have before buying online. bye!

kurt vonnegut!!!

If you can afford it, get a Gliga from http://www.violinslover.com Their violas are absolutely wonderful for the price.

Liz

I`ve actually bought a cheap ebay viola, and I was pleasantly surprised with how nice it sounds. It is a chinese made instrument, but not all of them are as bad as the reputation holds. I am a violinist, but I`ve wanted to try the viola for a long time so I finally decided to get one on the cheap, just in case it wasn`t what I really wanted. Like I said, I was really happy with my purchase, and I only paid 50.00 USD, that is including the shipping (which was 20.00). It tunes easily and has a nice warm mellow sound, not the twangy sharp tone of some chinese made instruments. If you are looking for something inexpensive, I would recommend you check out ebay for sure. Oh, and I am 5`4", and can easily play the 16"viola.

I bought a viola from China. It has GREAT quality. Our music store said it was 100% better than the one we bought in the U.S. (which was also a good instrument) Only the strings that are made in china suck.

Would you tell me the brand of the Chiness viola you bought? On ebay, I saw "Mendini" and "Palatino" brand. Are they any good?
Thanks,

i can`t say any thing about the mendini, but i bought a palatino and it`s not too great, the strings were cheap but i replaced those, it helped the sound quality like 5 fold, but other than the strings the sound is good, not great, but good, and as far as a begginner viola it`s a good purchase, but i`d look around first (alot more) before getting a palatino.

To Josh:
this is what you wrote: DO NOT GET ANYTHING MADE IN CHINA!!!!

Josh, who are you, why do you say that, you are totally wrong!

To everybody else:
I am a Chinese violin (/viola) maker, please see my website:

www.chineseviolins.com

I bought a Gliga Gems 2 viola online but the strings are Papay. I feel like changing the C,G,D to Helicore, and A to Jargar. Will it sound better (I`m not too keen on Dominant coz its so expensive and I heard Helicore is better?). Any recommendations? Also, would i need fine tuners for the Helicore coz the viola came with only an adjuster on the A string. Your help is very much appreciated!

Love,
Carrie.

Hi Carrie,

Yes a change of strings will make a HUGE difference. Which to get is really down to personal preference. Fo me it has to be dominants on the Gems viola (I ADORE the Gems viola), but our repairer swears by Helicores. Helicores are substantially louder and brighter than Dominants: take your pick! Helicores are metal and should really be used with adjusters.

I am not sure why you`re looking at a Jargar A string though?

Liz

I`ve been told to try a Lars(e)n A when I get new strings...(actually, may try that sooner than later...really don`t like the sound of my Helicore A...)

...btw...this site won`t let me type
Lar(s)en...it has a `bad` word in it...which is kinda funny...but how to get around it? Just keep with the creative typing?...

I read from somwhere that either Jargar A or Lar(s)en A are preffered. Or is the Helicore/Dominant A just fine? I`m a student, dont have a lot of money so I cant afford to try things out, so hopefully everyone can give their opinions? Thanks a lot!

Stick with the standard set of Helicore / Dominant unless you really need to change. Lars*ns are nice but expensive.

Liz