Viola made in Luby, circa 1950
This viola has now sold.
About Czech violin making
This viola was made around 1950 in Luby, a Czech town known for its violin makers. Interestingly, Luby is less than 10 kilometres from Markneukirchen, the town´s German counterpart.
Up until 1946, the town was known by the German name Schönbach. In 1948 Czechoslovakia fell under Communist rule and many violin makers of German nationality were expelled from the town the following year. The small town had been known as an important centre for violin making since the second half of the 17th century: this viola was made at a time of enormous change for its residents.
About the viola
The viola has length of back is 15 and 1/3 inches, making this a comfortable instrument to get around. It is modelled after the instruments of Stradivari. This viola was made in a workshop, meaning that it is a collaboration between a number of trained luthiers. Each worker had a specific job in the making process, from roughing out the arching of the back to setting the instrument up ready to play.
The viola has a two piece back of book-matched maple and a two piece front of straight-grained spruce. The varnish is a golden amber colour with subtle shading on the back.
How does it sound?
Tonally, this viola is subtle and sympathetic and would be an excellent `next step´ instrument as an upgrade to a handmade viola.
Condition
The instrument is in excellent original condition.