• CharlesW
    Posts: 11,982
    Are these commercially available, or are they custom instruments rarely seen on the open market?
  • francis
    Posts: 10,828
    there are two builders that I know of... zubrzycki built this one over the past four years and premiered it in December or so. there is also a Japanese builder, who I have been in contact with. His cost about 17k and delivery is about a year out.

    You can read about its history and development if you do a search on 'viola organista'.
  • I'd install this in the loft in a heart beat.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,828
    and i will be your full time viola organistaist!
  • I think this instrument could be very useful, especially if you want to perform Tudor & Jacobean verse anthems like Orlando Gibbons' 'This is the record of John', and your viol consort is unavailable:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9pE5vrgBHQ&feature=kp

    What a lovely instrument, but I wonder about maintenance.
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,700
    Ring ring.. ring ring..

    "Joe's Piano Tuning. How can I help ya?"

    "Well... I have this... this thing... and I'd like you to tune it..."
    Thanked by 1Continuousbass
  • "Well... I have this... this thing... and I'd like you to tune it..."
    ...twice an hour...
  • francis
    Posts: 10,828
    The strings on this one are not cat gut, but are steel making it more stable. And for me, it is a piece of cake. I am a professional piano tuner.
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,193
    I am a professional piano tuner.

    I tune pianos (and other keyboard instruments), too. With steel strings, it should be no problem keeping it in tune.
    Thanked by 1francis