New Viola.. experts, help?!!?!?!?

Hello! I'm a violist, and I've been playing for almost 5 years now. Yesterday I went viola shopping with my private instructor. I ended up borrowing two violas to decide between (one is a 15.5" German viola made in the 1920s,$3900, and the other is a 16" Bulgarian viola made in 1993, $3000). I love them both. The Bulgarian one is loud and brilliant, while German one is very warm and has something very special in it's tone. However, the Bulgarian's pegs are rather sticky and click when I tune them. On the other hand, the German viola's pegs keep slipping. I tried using a little peg dope on both. The German one also sounds rather metallicy, like the strings are either really old or brand new (they are Dominant strings, and I would most likely change them to Evah Pirazzi strings, as those are my favorite). Anyway, what do you think? Are these problems easy to fix? Which viola should I purchase? Thanks in advance for your help!





Sydney

New Viola.. experts, help?!!?!?!?
Do not worry about the pegs. Sliiping or tight pegs are easily fixed by a luthier. I can usually fix my own now.


It is hard to compare two instruments with different strings. However, having said that, strings often perform differently on different instruments. You have to match the string to the instrument.


If they are good quality strings on both instruments then go with the one you like the best.





The German viola sounds good : warm with something special in the tone. Dominant strings always sound a bit metallicy for a few days ; they settle down after a while with playing. The slipping pegs can be fixed by a luthier. (You could try a small amount of chalk to stop pegs from slipping)
Reply:I'm not a violist but a cellist. However, I've just recently purchased an instrument. I wouldn't worry about the pegs. That is easily remedied by your luthier who can fashion the pegs to better fit the violin. However, the strings, I asked the luthier to put nicer strings on so I could hear the tone and he complied. Strings can often vary the tone as you know. Put similar strings on both so you can really hear if its something you love. This instrument is going to be your baby. Pick the one you're gonnna LOVE playing. I actually had the luthier refashion my pegs, however I'm not sure ever one will do that for free. But I was also buying a very expensive case as well.





Good luck.





~Lisa
Reply:Hey I play the Viola Too! I have for 5 years. I would suggest the Bulgarian because pegs that keep slipping are so annoying and go out of tune very quickly, even when you are playing. keep testing it and which ever one feels the most comfortable in your hands I would buy!





Hailey!.%26lt;3
Reply:I am a violist myself for almost ten years now (and hey, my name is also Hayley). I would go with the viola that you feel the most comfortable playing and has the tone that you like the best. Make sure the size of either works well for you - one of my friends got tendonitis from playing a viola too large for her.





When you say sticky - do you mean they won't turn? Or they simply make a sound when you turn them?





I think the problems on both would be pretty simple - I don't think you would want to lubricate the pegs on a viola that is already slipping - I would ask your instructor or perhaps the person you are purchasing the instrument from if there is anything you can do about the pegs.





Slipping could also be attributed to the weather - I don't know how it has been where you are, but where I am living, it is still rather cold outside, which affects the strings and the pegs. As for their sound - perhaps the strings haven't been broken in yet.





Whatever the situation, I would still go with the one that you feel most comfortable playing.





Good luck!
Reply:I am curious what your private instructor had to say about the pegs. If s/he is any good, s/he should be able to tell you not to worry about those pegs, and just listen to the tone you want out of your viola. For that price, all you are looking for is the tone quality. Then bring it to your luthier to fix the pegs.


Wayland