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Best Acoustic Violas 2026

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

Last updated: January 28, 2026 • Next update: February 4, 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
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 14" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 14"

by Alfred Stingl by Höfner
Baroque Music Orchestra String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Less popular than violin

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 14"Viola SetSize: 14"Full solid violaLightly flamedGold-brown...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 547459
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Edgar Russ - Sound of Cremona Scala Perfetta Viola 15,5'' - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
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
Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S1 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15,5"

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

Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 15.5"Viola SetSize: 15.5"Solid violaSlightly flamedGold-brown...

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 547454
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Scala Vilagio Scuola Italiana Viola S2 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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 H11-VA Viola 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16,5"

by Karl Höfner
Orchestra Classical Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Less popular than violin

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16.5"Solid ViolaSize: 16.5"Solid spruce topBody and sides made of flamed...

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 256457
$1,077
Buy at Thomann View Details
Alfred Stingl by Höfner AS-170-VA Viola Set 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 16,5"

by Karl Höfner
Orchestra Classical Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 16Viola SetComprises H11-VA ViolaH6 / 5-VA wooden bow and AS-90/165-VA shaped...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 464953
$1,408
Buy at Thomann View Details
Walter Mahr Viola Quinton 16" / 40,5cm - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Walter Mahr Viola Quinton 16" / 40,5cm

by Walter Mahr
Classical Orchestra Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Essential chamber music voice
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Walter Mahr Viola Quinton 16" / 40.5 cm5-String ViolaModel StradivariSize: 16 x 40.5 cmSolidevenly-grained spruce...

⭐ 5.0/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 573295
$3,289
Buy at Thomann View Details
Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 16"

by Karl Höfner
Chamber Music Classical String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 16"Viola SetComprises H68HV-VA ViolaH7 / 13-VA wooden bow and AS-90/165-VA shaped...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 464964
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
Luca Zerilli Viola Guarneri Trieste 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Luca Zerilli Viola Guarneri Trieste 15,5"

by Luca Zerilli
String Quartet Orchestra Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Luca Zerilli Viola Guarneri Trieste 15ViolaSize: 15.5"Solid top made of Alpine spruceBeautifully flamedsplit and...

⭐ 4.7/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 577913
$14,080
Buy at Thomann View Details
Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 15"

by Karl Höfner
Chamber Music Orchestra Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 15"Solid ViolaSize: 15"Solid spruce topBody and sides of flamed mapleWittner...

⭐ 4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 256460
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details
Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservat. 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Stentor SR1551 Viola Conservat. 16,5"

by Stentor
Classical String Quartet Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal character
  • • Rich harmonic content
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Larger size than violin

Stentor SR1551 Viola ConservatoireViolaSize: 16.5"Solid spruce topSolidbeautifully flamed maple backShellax...

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 363225
$450
Buy at Thomann View Details
Bernd Hiller & Sohn Antonio Stradivari Viola - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Bernd Hiller & Sohn Antonio Stradivari Viola

by Bernd Hiller & Sohn
Orchestra Chamber Music String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Bernd Hiller & Sohn Antonio Stradivari ViolaViola 16" / 41 cmModel according to Antonio StradivariCompletely...

⭐ 4.7/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585832
$10,780
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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