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Best Acoustic Violas 2026

Top-rated acoustic violas 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Classical For Chamber Music For Orchestra For String Quartet For Baroque Music
BRANDS: Gewa Hidersine Scala Vilagio Stentor Karl Höfner Yamaha Alfred Stingl by Höfner
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Scala Perfetta Viola 15,5'' - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Scala Perfetta Viola 15,5''

by Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona
Baroque Music Classical Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Scala Perfetta Viola 15.5"ViolaSize: 15.5" / 39.5 cmInstrument with excellent...

⭐ 4.8/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 584069
$5,478
Buy at Thomann View Details
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15"

by Alfred Stingl by Höfner
Classical String Quartet Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15"Viola SetSize: 15"Full solid violaLightly flamedGold-brown...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 547456
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Linea Macchi Viola 16'' - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Linea Macchi Viola 16''

by Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona
Chamber Music Classical Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Linea Macchi Viola 16''ViolaInstrument with excellent Italian soundSize:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 584084
$13,189
Buy at Thomann View Details
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Linea Macchi Viola 15,5'' - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Linea Macchi Viola 15,5''

by Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona
Baroque Music String Quartet Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Linea Macchi Viola 15ViolaInstrument with excellent Italian soundSize: 15.5" / 39.5...

⭐ 4.6/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 584078
$13,189
Buy at Thomann View Details
Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S1 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S1 15,5"

by Scala Vilagio
String Quartet Classical Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S1 15ViolaSize: 15.5" (39.5 cm)Stradivari modelSolid spruce topSolid flamed...

⭐ 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 490121
$2,464
Buy at Thomann View Details
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 16"

by Alfred Stingl by Höfner
String Quartet Classical Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal character
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 16"Viola SetSize: 16"Solid violaLightly flamedGold-brown spirit...

⭐ 4.4/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547452
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Scala Vilagio F.H. Maggini Viola 1610 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Scala Vilagio F.H. Maggini Viola 1610

by Scala Vilagio
Orchestra String Quartet Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Scala Vilagio F.H. Maggini Viola 1610, ViolaMaggini's viola model from 1610 is one of a kind. Violinmakers in...

⭐ 4.6/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 531768
$7,689
Buy at Thomann View Details
Franz Sandner 902A Viola 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Franz Sandner 902A Viola 15,5"

by Franz Sandner
Baroque Music Classical Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Franz Sandner 902A Viola 15Viola Made Completely of Solid WoodSize: 15.5"Imitated antique styleSolid flamed maple...

⭐ 5.0/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 464928
$1,616
Buy at Thomann View Details
Scala Vilagio R.O. Stradivari Archinto 1696 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Scala Vilagio R.O. Stradivari Archinto 1696

by Scala Vilagio
Chamber Music String Quartet Classical
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal character
  • • Essential chamber music voice
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Scala Vilagio R.O. Stradivari Archinto 1696ViolinR.O. Antonio Stradivari "Archinto" Viola 1696Built in the...

⭐ 4.5/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588231
$14,190
Buy at Thomann View Details
Bernd Hiller & Sohn Paolo Testore Viola - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Bernd Hiller & Sohn Paolo Testore Viola

by Bernd Hiller & Sohn
Orchestra Baroque Music String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Larger size than violin

Bernd Hiller & Sohn Paolo Testore ViolaViola 16" / 41.5 cmModel according to Paolo TestoreCompletely handmade...

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585834
$10,780
Buy at Thomann View Details
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Scala Perfetta Viola 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Scala Perfetta Viola 16"

by Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona
Orchestra Classical Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Scala Perfetta Viola 16"ViolaSize: 16" / 40.5 cmInstrument with excellent...

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 584074
$5,478
Buy at Thomann View Details
Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S1 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S1 16"

by Scala Vilagio
Baroque Music Orchestra Classical
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific viola technique
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S1 16"ViolaSize: 16" (40.5 cm)Stradivari modelSolid spruce topSolid...

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 490120
$2,464
Buy at Thomann View Details
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 13" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 13"

by Alfred Stingl by Höfner
Orchestra Baroque Music String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Larger size than violin

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 13"Viola SetSize: 13"Solid violaLightly flamedGold-brown spirit...

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547462
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S2 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S2 16"

by Scala Vilagio
Orchestra Chamber Music String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Larger size than violin

Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S2 16"Orchestra ViolaModel StradivariSize: 16" / 40.5 cmSolid spruce...

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 569064
$3,839
Buy at Thomann View Details
Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 15"

by Karl Höfner
String Quartet Classical Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific viola technique
  • • Larger size than violin

Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 15"Viola SetComprises H68HV-VA ViolaH7 / 13-VA wooden bow and AS-90/165-VA shaped...

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 464966
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Acoustic Violas

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced acoustic violas typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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