Classifieds
Ready to buy or sell an instrument? Post your ad or browse listings below. Note that we only list viols and viol-family instruments (vielles, lirones, etc.); other early music organizations have listings for other instruments.
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7-string Peter Tourin bass viol
Jun 7, 2021
This is a seven-string bass viol made by Peter Tourin in 1990. Label reads “Peter Tourin / Tourin Musica / Jericho Center, Vermont / No. 116 1990.” It has a carved woman’s head instead of scroll. It is in good shape, with a few cosmetic blemishes consistent with age. The hook bar was replaced by Russell Wagner in Chicago approximately two years ago, as it had cracked. With Kingham hard case.
$7500
Louisville, KY
7-String Bass for Sale
Jun 5, 2021
7-String Bass viol made by Daniel Foster in 2008 patterned after Claude Pierray, 70cm string length and new bridge. Has been played professionally by me for the past 10 years. Having played several of Foster's instruments from over the years, I feel this instrument represents some of his best work. It has a clear, direct tone which is even and strong in all registers, and visually has a beautiful honey color with flamed maple. $8,500, price negotiable. Will need a new case.
More photos are available and you can hear this instrument here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYiyH2aaL0M
$8,500
Madison, WI
Michael Plant 6-string bass
May 13, 2021
Jaye copy by Mr Plant in 1990; purchased from Ruth Harvey in Boulder that year. In great shape - back in '93 left it in a hot car and the back seam opened maybe 1/8th inch - has been stable all these years, never getting wider; inside is the binding tape of the seam, has never altered; does not affect the sound of the instrument. Case included. Transitional bow by Walter Mettal.
$3,000
Fort Worth, TX
6-string bass viol for sale
Apr 17, 2021
6-string bass viol after Richard Meares, made by Francis Beaulieu in 2010. 69 cm string length; carved head and pegbox. Pristine condition.
Additional pictures and sound clip available on request.
$16,500 CAD
Montréal, QC
7-string Zuchowicz bass viol
Mar 16, 2021
7-string "Barbey" bass viol by Dominik Zuchovich, $8,000. Made in 2006. Vibrating string length 69 cm. Further description and photos upon request. Soft case included.
$8,000
Houston, TX
Treble, Tenor, and Bass viols by Ingo Muthesius
Mar 3, 2021
Set of three vintage violas da gamba by the German maker Ingo Muthesius. Can sell together or separately. Please contact for further details and photos.
$20,000 au for the set of three
Sydney, Australia
Seven String Bass Viol by Wes Brandt
Mar 2, 2021
Rich-toned 7-string bass from 2006 by Wes Brandt after 1683 M. Collichon, with custom hard case by Kingham Case, England. The viol is in very good condition, and has seasoned beautifully, although there are areas of wear to the varnish and stain. The case is in fair condition, fine on the inside, but wear to the handles and clasps. String length is 69 cm. Additional pictures and specifications available by email. Instrument is located in the San Francisco North Bay area.
$9000
Yorkville, CA
Bass viol by Clifford Roberts
Jan 1, 2021
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
Jan 1, 2021
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
Treble viol by Wesley Brandt with Grabenstein bow
Jan 1, 2021
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
7-string bass viol by Derek Porter
Dec 27, 2020
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
Treble viol by Charlie Ogle
Jul 9, 2020
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
Jul 9, 2020
Recently reconditioned by Scott Smith in Seattle, with new pegs and new bushings throughout. Handsome instrument.
$6,000
Bass viol by Charlie Ogle Workshop
Oct 7, 2019
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
Bass Viol Bow by Eduardo Gorr
Jun 24, 2021
A Bass viol bow by Eduardo Gorr (Cremona, 2020)
Length: 78cm
Weight: 75g
$2,200
New York, NY
Tenor bow by Chris English
Jun 11, 2021
Purchased from Lazar’s Early Music about a year ago- paperwork available. Used lightly. Not stamped with name.
$1400
Maynard, MA
Philip Davis bass bow for sale
Jun 7, 2021
Bass viol bow stamped “PL Davis.” Fluted figured snakewood stick and frog, imitation ivory button. 78 grams.
$1400
Louisville, KY
Bass Viol Bow by Solange Chivas
May 19, 2021
A Bass viol bow by Solange Chivas (2019)
The stick/frog is snakewood and the screw is mammoth ivory.
Length: 72 cm,
Weight: 73.6 grams
$1,200
New York, NY
Marais bass bow by Harry Grabenstein
Feb 20, 2021
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
Treble viol bow by Harry Grabenstein
Jan 1, 2021
Treble bow by Harry Grabenstein in excellent condition. Willing to ship at buyer’s expense.
$2,000
San Diego, CA
Sheet Music
Sep 8, 2020
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
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
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.
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.
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: 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: 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