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Bass viol by John Pringle
John Pringle's 6-string bass viol, Lewis model (2018) with carved head, double purfling on back and belly, which is for sale, together with a bow by H.F. Grabenstein (the carved frog and button made of fossil mammoth tusk that is a legal and CITES exempt material, from a US based dealer who can provide further documentation as necessary). Also includes a custom made hardshell case by Kingham MTM & Co. and 2 sets of Pirastro strings. Photos upon request.
$12,000
Marais bass bow by Harry Grabenstein
Beautiful "Marais" bass viol bow by Grabenstein that is not getting enough use. Figured snakewood. Willing to ship. Pictures upon request.
$1,500 or best offer
Philadelphia, PA
Bass viol by Charlie Ogle with pegheads and hard case
Small 6-string bass viol by Charlie Ogle, 2004 in excellent condition. The original pegs were replaced with pegheads allowing for very easy, smooth tuning. String length is 64 cm. Includes hard case.
$3,000
San Diego, CA
Bass viol by Clifford Roberts
6-string bass viol by Clifford Roberts 1976, based on late 17th century Cremonese instrument. Matching inlaid fingerboard and tailpiece (design by Amati) by Warren Ellison. Played professionally by me all over the world for 40 years. I've upgraded to a 7 string. I'd like to see this instrument in good hands.
$5,000
West Palm Beach, FL
Tenor and bass viols by Daniel Foster
Daniel Foster tenor (1979) and bass viola da gamba (1982) for sale. Instruments are constructed in the Barak Norman style and are in very good condition. Strings length of instruments are 52 cm and 67.5 cm respectively. New frets, bridges, and strings have been placed on the instruments by master luthier Edward Maday. Sound is throaty for the tenor and dark and rich for the bass. Prefer to sell the instruments as a set. Tenor viol price is $5,000. Bass viol price is $7,500. Hard cases included. Pictures and sale references are available upon request.
$5,000 and $7,500
New York, NY
7-string bass viol by Charlie Ogle
7-string bass viol by Charlie Ogle, 2013 (Bertrand model, 71 cm). Includes a soft case.
$2,450
San Francisco, CA
7-string bass viol by Peter Tourin
7 string bass viol by Peter Tourin, after Bertrand, 1985. String length 69cm, body length 67cm, width at the lower bout about 39.5 and depth 14.5cm. It is a big instrument with a relatively short string length and has a rich bass sound. Elaborately carved open scroll work rather than carved head. Comes with hard case. Photos available if interested. Instrument can be tried in Boston area.
$12,000
Boston, MA
Treble viol by Wesley Brandt with Grabenstein bow
Treble viol by Wesley Brandt, 2005, with optional Harry Grabenstein bow and hard case; asking $11,000 for both or $9,000 for the treble by itself. Located in San Diego but willing to ship (at buyer’s expense).
$9,000/$11,000
San Diego, CA
Bass viol bow by Ralph Ashmead
Bass Viol Bow by Ralph Ashmead. Fluted stick made of snakewood, ivory frog and screw. Weight is 84 grams. Currently located in New York City.
$2,000
New York, NY
Treble viol bow by Harry Grabenstein
Treble bow by Harry Grabenstein in excellent condition. Willing to ship at buyer’s expense.
$2,000
San Diego, CA
7-string bass viol by Derek Porter
7 string bass viol after an example by Joachim Tielke dated 1690's. Built by hand at West Dean College by Derek Porter in 2018/19. Fully adorned with figurehead, carved pegbox, boule-work fingerboard and tailpiece, arched and bent back, and applique on the back plate. Tone has the hint of a cello, due to the carved back plate. Lovingly built and inspected for historical accuracy throughout the process, please contact with any interest. Prices will be supplied with consideration given to the player's situation and goals. Pictures and sound samples can be supplied.
TBD
UK
Hard Case for Bass Viol
Hard case for a bass viol available. Free to a good home, if the recipient is willing to pay shipping. (I live outside Vancouver BC Canada.) Handle needs replacing but otherwise functional. Cushioned interior: 6.5" width at top, 3" neck width and 3” depth, 16" width at widest part in bottom, 50" long top to bottom inside. Covered wood exterior, bit shabby but still good: 19" wide at widest, by 53" long. Photos available.
Shipping Cost
Vancouver, BC
Two bass viols by Dominik Zuchowicz
Two bass viols by Dominik Zuchowicz. 6-string "Norman" $7,000. 7-string "Barbey" $8,000. Soft cases included. Pick-up only.
$7,000 and $8,000
Houston, TX
Sheet Music
I have a ton of viol music to sell for 50% of original cost plus shipping. Highlights include complete 5 part Holborne and Brade; complete 4 and 5 part Ward; Coperario; East; beautiful Monteverdi book; and much more.
Walnut Creek, CA
Treble viol by Charlie Ogle
Strung in open gut, with the bottom four strings from George Stoppani, and it comes with a soft case.
$2,300
Treble viol by Michael Heale
Recently reconditioned by Scott Smith in Seattle, with new pegs and new bushings throughout. Handsome instrument.
$6,000
Bass viol by Charlie Ogle Workshop
Bass viol, Barak Norman model from Charlie Ogle Workshop, 2010. String length approx. 25 inches. Includes soft case in great condition, and bow (unknown maker) that needs to be rehaired.
$2,200
Stolen: Viol bows
Two bows stolen from the Longy School of Music, Boston: (1) Baroque Cello/Bass Gamba bow 77.3 grams; stick highly figured snakewood stamped CF English and #345. Round stick, fluted 4.5 inches in grip area. Frog slides on Vuillaume style half-round track. (2) Baroque Cello/Bass Bow 79.5 grams; stick African Blackwood stamped #358 on stick under frog. Round stick fluted 4.5 inches in grip area Frog slides on Vuillaume style half-round track. Please notify Christopher English
Stolen: Tenor viol
A student-model, German-make, reddish tenor, with label "Buchstainer 1976" inside was stolen from Lucy Cross's apartment in New York on September 7, 2003. It's in a soft case with no handle (ripped off, and still in the apartment), with a bow by Uebel, extra strings (with Bill Monical's name on them), and a cake of rosin with thick wooden sides to it. The case is much too big for the instrument. If you come across this viol or hear about it, please contact the VdGSA webmasters.
Stolen: Bass viol
On March 1, 2006, in UK: A 7-string viola da gamba, made in London in 1979 (maker's name not remembered) owned by the Birmingham Conservatoire in a black soft tight-fitted case with a bow by Roger Doe. It has orange yellow varnish and an intricatly carved head in the shape of a griffin, worn frets, and a great sound. Bow is a normal cello/gamba model with screw frog in dark wood. The case also had in it a Bolivian string bag. If anyone has any info please contact Henrik Persson, tel. +44 (0) 7812 050669.
Lost: Bass viol
I would like to report a viol gone astray (possibly stolen) while being shipped from Michgan to Pennsylvania in June 1998. Early (60's?) bass viol with hard case and bow, Shuster & Sons. Many signs of wear. Photos available. If anyone comes across it, please report its whereabouts to: Bob Purrenhage, 113 Central Ave., Berwyn, PA 19312; phone (610) 993-0936 or e-mail
Found: Bass viol
Found June 2018 in Durham NC. Six-string Chinese Song bass viol with carved head. Turned in at local guitar shop after being “found” in a dumpster.
Stolen: Treble viol
Treble viol by West Dean Workshop 1999/2000, stolen week of October 7, 2002; Viol bow by Roger Rose; Black hard case by Kingham. Please contact Alison Crum regarding this viol, +44 20 8452 3254, or email
Found: Treble viol
A treble viol made by Dan Foster in 1980 has turned up in the Chicago area under circumstances that suggest it had been stolen. If you think you may have information about this instrument or its last owner, please send an email to the VdGSA webmasters.
Stolen: 6-string electric viol by Eric Jensen
On January 3, 2008, in UK: Dark rosewood instrument with a brace of aluminum and stainless steel. The reverse of the instrument has a tag that says "Jensen" and it was stolen in a black tubular case with a black preamp the size and shape of cobble. For pictures or to contact the poster please visit http://lorenludwig.com.