Bryant Cellos & violas:-

'Cellos:

With the amount of double bass work I have had recently, I have been forced to curtail my cello making, however I do intend to start making at least one a year, starting very soon. 

Violas:

Another of my specialties has always been the making of violas, and although I now have little time to pursue this side of my business I still try to make one or two instruments a year. Most of my instruments are in the medium size range ie. 15¼. and 15¾". 38.5-40cm, although I do make larger instruments, up to 16½". 42cm from time to time.

Prices for my violas are from around £1300 although I do have special offers on good student instruments, and it is always worth enquiring.

Any available viola can be sent on one weeks approval to anywhere in the UK for a flat fee of £15. You may then either keep the instrument, or return it.  Some further security may be required, usually in the form of a post dated cheque, which if the instrument is not required, can be sent back or destroyed.

Violas can also be shipped worldwide, however, full payment is required before shipping. All shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer.

(Click on the thumbnails for a larger image.)

Montagnana 'Cello - Sold

This 'cello is based on an instrument by Domenico Montagnana of Venice, circa 1739. This example has a finely figured maple back, sides and head,and a front of open grain European spruce. The instrument is covered in a golden brown oil varnish.

This cello is priced at £3000.00.

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Gasparo Da Salo model Viola - Sold

This is one of my favorite violas, made in the free Brescian style of Gasparo Bertolotti, better known as Gasparo Da Salo, after the small town in which he lived. Gasparo has been credited as the 'inventor' of the double bass, which makes him close to my heart, and it is true that he did a lot to establish the instrument in its current form. Gasparo Da Salo also made many violas, most of them of large size. He did, however, make several smaller instruments, and this instrument is modeled on one of these. Although most of his work seems to have been carried out in great haste, never two cuts where one would do, and some of his instruments are crudely made when compared with the Cremonese school, they do possess great beauty of line and form and are esteemed for their great power and rich dark tone. The viola below has a back length of 15¾" which makes for a very playable instrument; however, the wide upper bouts and high arching consistent with this model gives a much greater vibrating area than on a standard viola of this size. The instrument is available with single or double purfling and back decoration, and is fitted with fine boxwood pegs and fittings.

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