V. RICHELIEU SMALL/FRACTIONAL VIOLAS
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.
WHAT MAKES V. RICHELIEU SMALL VIOLAS SOUND SO GOOD?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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WE CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
Playing great music should not come at a cost to our planet. Materials once commonplace are now threatened or endangered and V. RICHELIEU™ instruments are made to touch lightly our planet.
* Woods are carefully selected and our Forester partners are, by reputation or certification, sustainable in their approach to wood harvesting.
*We avoid the use of rare woods, like ebony, in our craft. We use Sonowood, an all-natural wood alternative for our fingerboards, nuts, and saddles. Sonowood is made from Maple, Spruce, and Walnut…commonly available without touching diminishing rainforests or rare woods.