Dolmetsch Viols Using traditional techniques and timbers seasoned for over twenty years, and well-established models (either the baroque models of Barak Norman and Henry Jaye or the renaissance patterns of early southern European masters), we make viols with an open, even, bell-like tone. Fingerboards, pegs and tailpieces are made in ebony or rosewood or in hard maple with hardwood overlay. A discrete amount of fine purfling is applied to the belly and back. We oil varnish 16 to 20 coats applied over 3 to 4 month period to give the finest finish. All our viols are made in our Haslemere workshop by Malcolm Bailey, one of the country's finest luthiers. We also rehair bows and overhaul viols and other early stringed instruments. We use gut manufactured by Northern Renaissance Instruments (tel: 0161-881-8134) for our frets and strings. We recommend gut that has been specially treated to resist the effects of perspiration. We recommend and use viol cases made by Kingham Case Co. 1 Rydal Drive Maldon Essex CM9 5LG tel: 01621-843040 Prices Description ex. VAT Seven-Stringed Bass (baroque pattern) £ 7,000 Six-Stringed Bass (baroque pattern) £ 5,500 Six-Stringed Bass (renaissance pattern) £ 4,800 Tenor Viol (baroque pattern) £ 4,000 Tenor Viol (renaissance pattern) £ 3,500 Alto Viol (baroque pattern) £ 3,000 Treble Viol (baroque pattern) £ 2,500 Treble Viol (renaisance pattern) £ 2,400 Mioplant Currency Converter - download this desktop utility to find out prices in your own currency! Exact price depends on the customer's specification. Information about the viol SIZES OF VIOLS, measurements (in centimeters) according to Nathalie Dolmetsch Size/Model Tunings (bottom to top) String Length Body Length Pardessus d'Viol (g)c'e'a'd''g'' 33-33.5 31.5-33.5 Treble Viol dgc'e'a'd'' 35-35.5 35-39 Alto Viol cfad'g'(c'') 35-40.5 35-41 Tenor Viol (G)cfad'g' 45-52 47.5-53 Lyra Viol variable 53.5-60 55.5-60 Division Bass DGcead' 65-66 62.68 Bass Viol (AA)DGcead' 68-70.5 68-71 There was (is) a great variation in size, even between instruments of the same type. The letters in brackets identify strings that may not be present on all models of the given size. The low AA string is found on seven-string, but not on six-string bass viols. The common consort of the viol family is made up of treble, tenor and bass. The pardessus was primarily a solo instrument played by ladies of the French court. The alto performs a consort role similar to that of the now defunct second violin in the violin family, lying between the treble and tenor. The violone, the double bass of the family, was used in orchestral situations to double the cello or bass viol line. It can be really effective in the great Purcell 6 and 7 part viol consorts. The Division Viol was again a solo instrument specifically designed to be easier to play fast passage work by keeping the instrument smaller than the consort bass. The larger six and later seven stringed consort basses were designed to produce rich bottom notes which is why the added seventh string was lower than the bottom string of the six stringed bass which preceded it. The lyra viol was a unique species of viol designed to play unique material by composers like Tobias Hume. To read or print our full specification and price list click here