What is a good, inexpensive make and model viola to choose for beginners?

I want to teach myself to play the viola. I want an inexpensive one, but not one that sounds terrible and is made out of plastic. I want a dark, rich sonority. What do you viola players recommend?

What is a good, inexpensive make and model viola to choose for beginners?
OK. I don't know about the rest of the folks here, but unlike brass and woodwind instruments, good instruments are dependent on one thing...the quality of the maker. You can find a good student model amongst a hundred crappy ones. It just takes looking. I would recommend renting until you are sure you like it. Then go to a shop and try some out and see what you like before you buy. It's a big investment, no matter how inexpensive you try to find. Stay away from the mass produced ones, Chinese, e-bay, farmer market, etc. Good instruments are a lot like cars. The better the deal you think you find, the crappier and more expensive the repairs are to get it into working condition. Be patient, you'll find the one meant for you if you really want to play.
Reply:Check out these:





http://store.musicbasics.com/va-20.html





http://www.stringworks.com/violas.htm?OV...





Music director.
Reply:http://www.chrisbsmusic.com/strinin.html








check out the cremona models on page above
Reply:Not sure what your mean by "inexpensive." SAGA has a student viola for $178.00 I use this one for teaching, but with a good pair of viola Eva Pirazzis. The one I have is wonderful. SAGA is a good Chinese brand, Shanghai. Howard Core carries Romanian violas that are very nice, also. The lower end one is about $1,000.





See:


http://beststudentviolins.com/violas.htm...
Reply:I have heard a lot about the Carlo Lamberti collection? I know shar carries them.





I would only suggest buying after you have the instrument to play for a week at least.





I searched for almost 6 months for the viola I now play. I'm not looking forward to doing it again.





www.sharviolas.com
Reply:Violas are so cool... too bad I don't know any specific ones.......





Rock on violists!! :)