1850 Gasparo di Bertolotti da Salò Viola

Gasparo da Salo is the name used by Gasparo Bertolotti (1542-1609), who was born at Salo on Lake Garda, Brescia, Italy. A dedicated craftsman, he was formerly credited with having developed the violin in the shape we now know it. Although this claim is now disproved, his instruments are nevertheless admired and venerated. He is considered to be the founder of the Brescian school of violin makers.

His violas are considered finer than his violins and were probably more numerous. His viola da gambas were converted to violoncellos and are much esteemed; and some six-stringed bass viols have been remounted as three-and four-stringed double basses. About twenty noteworthy instruments are recorded.

The pictures shown here are on an original Gasparo da Salo Viola, not one made by the luthiers bench

Gasparo da Salo Viola

Specifications 1580 Gasparo da Salò Viola

Measurements (all in millimeters and taken with a calliper, i.e. straight, not over the arch)

Available colors

(colors can also be mixed to create other colors)

Amber	Brown	Dark Brown	Golden Brown
Golden yellow	Red Brown	Red	yellow