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Best Acoustic Violas Under $2,000 2025

Affordable acoustic violas under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

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 Stentor Scala Vilagio Hidersine Karl Höfner Yamaha Alfred Stingl by Höfner
Franz Sandner 902 Viola 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Franz Sandner 902 Viola 15,5"

by Franz Sandner
Classical String Quartet Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal character
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific viola technique
  • • Larger size than violin

Franz Sandner 902 Viola 15Viola Made Completely of Solid WoodSize: 15.5"Solid flamed maple backTop: Solid...

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 464923
$1,538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Karl Höfner H11A-VA Viola 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Karl Höfner H11A-VA Viola 16,5"

by Karl Höfner
Orchestra String Quartet Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Karl Höfner H11E-VA Viola 16.5"ViolaFull solidSolid spruce topBack and sides made of lightly flame veneer...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 547489
$1,208
Buy at Thomann View Details
Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16"

by Karl Höfner
Baroque Music Orchestra Classical
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16"Solid ViolaSize: 16"Solid spruce topBody and sides of flamed mapleWittner...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 256458
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hidersine Espressione Viola Set 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Hidersine Espressione Viola Set 15,5"

by Hidersine
Chamber Music String Quartet Classical
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Hidersine Espressione Viola Set 15.5"Viola SetSize: 15.5"Completely made of solid wood Stradivari...

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610984
$1,364
Buy at Thomann View Details
Franz Sandner 902A Viola 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Scala Vilagio Bohemia Concert Viola 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Scala Vilagio Bohemia Concert Viola 15,5"

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

Scala Vilagio Bohemia Performance Viola 15"ViolaSize: 15"Selected first-class solid spruce topDistinctive...

⭐ 4.8/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 546458
$1,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Georg Walther Viola 15,5'' RB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Gewa Georg Walther Viola 15,5'' RB

by Gewa
Orchestra Baroque Music Classical
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Larger size than violin

Gewa Georg Walther Viola 155'' RBConcert ViolaSize: 15.5'' / 39.5 cmHand-selectedwell flamed back...

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 547541
$1,924
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
Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 13" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 13"

by Karl Höfner
Classical Baroque Music Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 13"Viola SetConsists of the H11-VA violathe H6/5-VA wooden bowand the...

⭐ 4.4/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 464959
$1,408
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Maestro 41 Viola 15,5'' - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gewa Maestro 41 Viola 15,5''

by Gewa
Chamber Music String Quartet Classical
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Essential chamber music voice
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Gewa Maestro 41 Viola 15.5''ViolaSize: 15.5'' / 39.5 cmSolid maple back and sidesSolid fine-grained...

⭐ 4.7/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547499
$1,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha VA 7SG 15 Viola 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Yamaha VA 7SG 15 Viola 15"

by Yamaha
Baroque Music String Quartet Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Essential chamber music voice
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Yamaha VA 7SG 15 Viola 15"Viola15" (38.10cm)Stradivari designOil varnishHandmade viola from hand-picked...

⭐ 4.7/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 278812
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Georg Walther Viola 16'' RB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Gewa Georg Walther Viola 16'' RB

by Gewa
Baroque Music Orchestra String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Gewa Georg Walther Viola 16'' RBConcert ViolaSize: 16" / 40.8 cmHand-selectedbeautifully flamed European...

⭐ 5.0/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 547544
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 14" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 14"

by Karl Höfner
Chamber Music Orchestra String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 14"Viola SetConsists of the H11-VA violathe H6/5-VA wooden bowand the...

⭐ 4.6/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 464958
$1,408
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Germania Viola Rom A. 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gewa Germania Viola Rom A. 16"

by Gewa
String Quartet Chamber Music Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Gewa Germania Viola Rom A. 16"Concert Viola 16" / 40.8 cmSelect European sycamoreSelect spruce top graduated...

⭐ 4.6/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 512378
$1,309
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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