This beautiful viola is modelled on an instrument by Matteo Goffriller of Venice, 1705.

The back plate is of two pieces of narrow, regularly flamed maple with similar wood in the sides and head; the two piece top of straight grained spruce of medium reed lines, all covered in a warm amber varnish which is applied in a complex faux antique pattern and laid over a light gold ground.

It’s well balanced across the strings and throughout its range and offers a very open, resonant, clear and clean sound which is rich, warm and ‘fat’. It responds quickly to the bow and is pleasant under the ear, despite having a powerful, projecting sound.

It is light and a slender neck makes it comfortable to hold. A good size for a big viola sound, this is a fine professional quality instrument that is a joy to play.

Born in Germany, trained at Newark, Martin has been a mainstay of the Melbourne violin making scene for the past 20 years. He is a founding member of the Australian Violin Maker’s Association.

Martin Schuster Australian 16 1/8" Viola, 2018

Reference: VA.143