R. Kim Tipper & Associates Fine Violins
RKTV Contact Info
Whitespace Violas over $20,000 Click on the image
for more detailed photos
Whitespace Please enquire
Whitespace Violas $10,000 to $20,000
Filippo Protani, V, Perugia, 2006 Flag of Italy
Length of back 418 mm (16 12").
Filippo Protani is an Italian maker working in England, who is establishing a strong reputation for himself. This impressive, large viola is built on an Andrea Guarneri pattern of 1676. The workmanship has a robust character with an interesting pattern of tool marks. It is new from the maker who revarnished it in 2009.
Viola front
James Albert Benson, Midland Ontario, 1937 Flag of Canada
Length of back 419 mm (16 12").
This very resonant instrument still belongs to the original owner who bought it from the maker in 1942.
Viola front
Whitespace Violas $5,000 to $10,000
Gregory T. Walke, Paisley, Ontario, 2009 Flag of Canada
Length of back 415 mm (16 516").
This new viola by Gregory Walke is made with poplar back and sides and is fairly light and responsive for its size. The somewhat long string length (14 78") was chosen to give a loud voice. Despite the large dimensions it is an easy instrument to play.
Viola front
Gregory T. Walke, Paisley, Ontario, 2006 Flag of Canada ~ SOLD ~
Length of back 394 mm (15 12").
This instrument is new from the maker and is made of beautiful German wood, covered in rich brown varnish. Easy agile response and clear tone.
Viola front
Jean Pierre Delhommel, Paris, circa 1990 Flag of France ~ SOLD ~
Length of back 417 mm (16 716").
Jean-Pierre Delhommel was an apprentice of luthier Bruno Bourhis in Nantes, France in the late 80’s. He later opened his own shop in Bourges. This viola is the maker’s interpretation of a Maggini model and was built in 1991. Although it has a large body, it has a slightly short string length (360mm). Sold with the certificate of the maker.
Viola front
Sibylle Ruppert, Paisley, Ontario, 2007 Flag of Canada ~ SOLD ~
Length of back 406 mm (16").
A good professional instrument, new from the maker.
Viola front
Whitespace Violas under $5,000
Marc Laberte, Mirecourt, circa 1955 Flag of France
“Faite sous la direction de, Marc Laberte, Maitre Luthier, Mirecourt (Vosges) France No.150”
Length of back 419 mm (16 12").
This viola is the largest five-string which we have had for sale. It features quite full archings and wide ribs and the resulting large volume of the body gives a better lower register than most ‘fiddolas’. The conversion was done in our shop in 2009 and included a slightly wider fingerboard, custom bois d’Harmonie tailpiece, peg bushings and restorations to the body of the instrument. The neck angle was raised to afford ample room for playing all five strings. This instrument is over fifty years old now and its new life is just beginning.
Viola front
Sig. Hoibakke, Victoria, 1962 Flag of Canada
A good sounding viola by Sig. Hoibakke, a self-taught violin maker and machinist who came to Victoria from Norway after World War II. He was an important maker in our area in the 1950’s and 60’s. This is the only viola we have seen from him. According to a family member who is still the original owner, this instrument was left unfinished when the maker died in 1962. The family had it varnished by Rino Righele, a maker in Vancouver, BC.
Viola front
Boosey & Co. London W. Flag of Germany ~ SOLD ~
Length of back 394 mm (15 12").
This German commercial instrument was imported circa 1920 by Boosey & Co. of London, England. It is a much travelled viola that has been recently repaired and set-up in our shop. Many scratches were touched up and the neck and fingerboard were reduced to modern dimensions. It is a dynamic, smaller viola.
Viola front