This viola is truly a marriage of an engaging and expressive tone and exquisite appearance.  Indeed, like the viola, the makers Joseph Grubaugh and Sigrun Siefert have been working marriage partners for 38 years at their shop in Petaluma.  Sigrun is a graduate of the Mittenwald School of Violin Making and Joseph honed his skills at Weisshaar.  This couple crafts string instruments as a team, drawing from their individual strengths, traditional time-honored techniques, and feedback from the musicians enjoying their instruments.  Their partnership has garnered 5 VSA gold medals and 4 VSA silver medals for tone and workmanship.

This wonderful smaller and full viola is inspired by the work of the great Brescian makers, Gaspar da Salo and Maggini circa 1600.  The player will discover a big viola sound in a beautifully compact instrument.  As one draws the bow, the viola speaks easefully in all dynamic ranges.  The viola is comfortable to play with a neck nicely suited for smaller players, a string length to allow effortless reach on octaves and double stops.  The upper bout size provides for facile shifting on all four strings.  The player will experience even timbre across all four strings.

Double purfling on the belly and the one-piece back are enhanced by the dark red-brown over gold varnish.  Violists will be delighted with the geometric inlay on the upper back.  The viola will provide the discerning advanced student and professional alike with an instrument to explore all viola repertoire, orchestral, solo, and chamber music experiences.