what are the better viola brands for the price of 400-500? and.. what is your input on brands such as strunal and florea...

There aren`t many good professional violas at that range that I know of. Frank Denti is a good brand, but mine cost me 1,750 and I think it was the cheapest proffesional , and of that sort.

I bought a new Chinese made viola, hand made from imported European timber, the other players in my orchestra think it sounds better than their very expensive German made instruments. The better made Chinese instruments are the ones with the nicely flamed timber on the backs. They only let their most skilled makers work with the pretty wood.

Is there an old Strad viola laying around somewhere?

I don`t know too much about brands, but make sure you do your research.

400-500 what? Dollars?

Anyway, my answer is simple: Gligas outplay anything else remotely near that price range.

Liz

I agree that Gligas are a great value.
I saw Gliga Violas on ebay that looked interesting but didn`t want to buy online.
Buying a viola is like getting married.
So, I March I went down to Pasadena where the store is located.

I was shopping for a professional (Vasile?) 16" to 16.5".
I auditioned several of them for my wife.
She suggested that I try one of the big ones.
So I grabbed a 17" and boy, what a difference!
I payed $1600 + $60 for shipping.
I highly recommend the Gliga but I also recommend trying it first.

John E.