Ian Sweetman viola, Hamilton, New Zealand, 1978, 16 1/8"

This lovely viola was made by one of New Zealand’s most skilled and highly-regarded violin makers, Ian Sweetman using a relatively full-arched Guarneri del Gesu model. An attractively flamed, one-piece back is enhanced by Ian’s signature varnish handmade from fossil kauri copal. The tone is clear, warm, and resonant across all registers, with a nobility of character, that is very appealing. With a back length of 168 (512mm) and a relatively short string length of 353 mm, this instrument will make a very good choice for a discerning musician wanting a rich tone and good playability.