(Not just size — true tonal worth and richness)
Discover the Perfect Small Viola for Young Musicians and Petite Players
V. RICHELIEU SMALL/FRACTIONAL VIOLAS
Viola Specific Design
Exceptional Quality Small Violas
Our fractional violas have unique proportions, including a shorter neck length and a different neck angle, making them more comfortable and intuitive to play.
Voice, Vibrance, Value.
Small Craft, Big Sound
Just because an instrument is small doesn't make it easier to build.
We believe that young prodigies deserve the same no-compromise quality as older players. That’s why our fractional instruments are built with the same careful wood selection, master craftsmanship, oil varnish, and professional adjustments as our full-size instruments.
Many of our smaller instruments are played in conservatories throughout the country, a testament to their exceptional quality. Your younger players deserve no less.
LOOKING FOR SMALLER VIOLAS?
We design and build violas for the next generation of violists.
We start at the beginning. We place small fractional violas designed and built in our Vermont workshop into small hands to play viola music as it was composed to play. We do not compromise, and neither should you.
Don’t play a converted violin. Play a real viola. Play a V. RICHELIEU™ small viola.
Available as small as 11”. Real Violas for Aspiring Soloists!
WHAT MAKES V. RICHELIEU UNIQUE?
In addition to the models, our smaller instruments have customized
The Projection Angles
The Wood Selection
And the String Lengths
An uncompromised design for an uncompromising violist.
A Better Viola for a Brighter Future
Superior Sound, Unbeatable Value: Handcrafted in Vermont, our violas offer professional-grade tone and playability at an accessible price point.
Authentic Viola Experience: Designed as true small violas, not scaled-up violins, to nurture proper technique and a rich, resonant sound from day one.
Inspire Practice, Accelerate Progress: A beautiful-sounding, easy-to-play instrument makes learning more rewarding, keeping students motivated and engaged.
Your Investment in Their Talent: A high-quality viola lays the groundwork for advanced musicianship, giving young players a competitive edge as they pursue their passion.
WHAT MAKES V. RICHELIEU SMALL VIOLAS SOUND SO GOOD?
WE START WITH GREAT DESIGNS
Our Luthiers are constantly exploring new, innovative, ways to improve our designs.
* Exploring New Wood Sources
* Testing new Dimensions for Projection, Graduations, and Arching
* Applying New Technology to Assess Tonal Properties of Wood Exploring new designs for viola scrolls
*Discovering new materials like Sonowood, and Wittner Planetary Pegs to improve tone and playing experience
Lutherie is an ancient art, but we won’t standstill. We’re committed to developing small violas that bring young violists to the highest possible level.
OUR VIOLAS ARE NOT CONVERTED VIOLINS.
V. RICHELIEU™ makes violins. We also make violas. They are different!
Most small violas use a traditional violin template for their tops and backs. To design our V. RICHELIEU™ small violas, we started with a 16” model and scaled it down for small hands.
The result is a viola that plays as a viola should. The shape gives full support to the low C string while fully amplifying the high A. An alto sound that’s the reason one teacher called it a “game-changer” for her younger students.
WE WORK WITH THE BEST WOODS AVAILABLE
From Fifth-Generation tonewood foresters of Europe, to sustainable foresters of Vermont, we use woods that have the best tonal properties and loggers that practice sustainable forestry
Our Wood Suppliers know us…and we know them. They understand what we need and partner with us to source woods that meet our specifications.
Each piece of tonewood is carefully tested for tonal response using the best technology available.
The True Value Of Your Dollars
The Difference in Craftsmanship
Fingerboards and Bridges:
We custom-design our fingerboards for comfort and to help with proper technique. Our fingerboards are sized specifically for violas. We also use different bridge sizes to enhance the often-troublesome C string.
This means your child won't have to fight their instrument to get a good sound.
Hand-Graduated Wood:
We carefully thin the wood to precise measurements, allowing the instrument to vibrate freely for a richer, more complex tone.
Superior Hardware:
Our instruments feature Wittner pegs for easy, slip-free tuning, and tailpieces also come with built-in fine tuners.
“Having such a high-quality, affordable, and locally accessible instrument was pivotal in my journey.”
-- Elizabeth M.
Superior Sound
V. Richelieu™ instruments are powerful in tone, visually beautiful, and a testament to our commitment to quality, creativity, and our planet.
Ringing Tone and Ear Development:
A ringing tone helps students clearly hear pitch, intonation, and resonance. This is crucial for developing a sensitive ear and learning to play in tune. A dull instrument will hinder this process.
V. Richelieu™ instruments are powerful in tone, visually beautiful, and a testament to our commitment to quality, creativity, and our planet.
Precision Craftsmanship:
Each instrument is uniquely carved to produce pure, ringing tones. This attention to detail is essential for advancing students.
Facilitating Faster Learning:
A better instrument allows a student to advance more quickly because it makes playing easier and more rewarding. This helps them avoid the frustration of a poorly made instrument that can make it hard to identify pitches or properly develop technique.
A Sustainable Investment
MADE FOR THE PLAYER... AND PLANET
Proprietary Varnish and Quality Woods:
We use a proprietary varnish that enhances tone and sustainably sourced, high-quality woods that improve with age.
At V. Richelieu™, we blend old-world craftsmanship with modern technology to create exceptional, performance-level instruments. Named for the river along our northern border, our instruments are a testament to quality and sustainability. Our team of luthiers meticulously crafts each instrument using responsibly sourced, FSC®certified spruce and maple, and we innovate with alternative fingerboard materials like Sonowood and GaiaTone to avoid endangered species. The result is an instrument that is both affordable, sustainable and outstanding.
First FSC® Certified Violin Shop in the USA
Please ask us about FSC® Certified Products