Orchestral & Folk Strings Buying Guide

Viola vs. Violin: Why the "Bigger Version" Costs More Than You'd Expect

V Rated by Vincent Vandegans · Updated Sep 2026

Violists get used to a particular irony: a viola built to the same quality standard as a comparable violin usually costs more, not less, despite being viewed by many outsiders as simply "a bigger violin." The larger, less-standardized body size makes consistent tone harder to achieve, and the smaller total market of violists means less production volume to spread costs across.

The ten viola outfits below are real, currently-listed intermediate instruments, checked for seller reliability and priced against comparable recent sales.

At a Glance — Our Top Picks

Editor's Top Pick

Rudoulf Doetsch Original Professional Viola Outfit - 15.5-inch

Score 95/100 · $1,700.61 · Used

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Best New

Bellafina Prelude Series Viola Outfit 16 in.

Score 95/100 · $174.99 · New

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Best Used

Bellafina Educator Series Viola Outfit Level 2 15 in. 19474492362

Score 95/100 · $664.79 · Used

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Top 10 Orchestral & Folk Stringss on eBay & Amazon

Ranked and rated by Vincent Vandegans — verified you can buy.

Rudoulf Doetsch Original Professional Viola Outfit - 15.5-inch

Rating Score: 95/100 · $1,700.61 Used

4 photos

Country of Origin: Germany
Brand: Rudolf Doetsch
Features: Rosin, Shoulder Rest
Size: 15 1/2
Instrument: Viola
Experience Level: Advanced

•Condition: Used
•Seller rating: 99.9% positive (4647 ratings)
•Returns accepted (30 calendar day)

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Customer reviews on eBay ›

SVA-100 Premier Novice Viola Outfit - 16 Inch with Case Minimally Used

Rating Score: 79/100 · $300.00 Used

4 photos

Top Material: Maple
Size: 16.5"
Color: Brown
Vintage: Yes
Brand: Cremona
Type: Acoustic

•Condition: Used
•Seller rating: 100.0% positive (12 ratings)
•Free shipping
•No returns accepted

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Customer reviews on eBay ›

Bellafina Educator Series Viola Outfit Level 2 15 in. 19474492362

Rating Score: 95/100 · $664.79 Used

Brand: Bellafina
MPN: USED005011 BEVAA2015OF
Color: 15 in.
Model: USED005011 BEVAA2015OF
UPC: 194744923623

•Condition: Used
•Seller rating: 99.8% positive (271167 ratings)
•Free shipping
•Returns accepted (30 calendar day)

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Customer reviews on eBay ›

Orchestra Concert Master 13" Viola Outfit with Case and Bow

Rating Score: 95/100 · $274.99 Used

4 photos

Number of Strings: 4
Size: 13"
Color: Brown
Set Includes: Soft Case, Bow
MPN: 031
Brand: Orchestra

•Condition: Used
•Seller rating: 100.0% positive (1209 ratings)
•Shipping: $40.00
•Returns accepted (14 calendar day)

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Yamaha VA5 15.5” Viola Outfit

Rating Score: 91/100 · $800.00 Used

4 photos

Country of Origin: China
Brand: Yamaha
Type: Acoustic
Size: 15.5
Color: Brown
Instrument: Viola

•Condition: Used
•Seller rating: 100.0% positive (479 ratings)
•Free shipping
•No returns accepted

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Bellafina Prelude Series Viola Outfit 16 in.

Rating Score: 95/100 · $174.99 New

2 photos

Brand: Bellafina
MPN: BVA15016OF
Color: 16 in.
Size: 15
Style 1: 16 in.
UPC: 888365081373

•Condition: New
•Seller rating: 99.8% positive (453443 ratings)
•Free shipping
•Returns accepted (30 calendar day)

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HandMade 15" Viola Outfit - Sweet Sound, Good quality, Durable

Rating Score: 92/100 · $375.25 New

4 photos

Size: 4/4
Color: red brown
MPN: 1281
Vintage: Yes
Brand: Unbranded
Type: Acoustic

•Condition: New
•Seller rating: 99.8% positive (526 ratings)
•Free shipping
•Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
•On sale: 5% off (was $395.00)

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HandMade 15" Viola Outfit - Vivid Sound, Good quality, Durable

Rating Score: 92/100 · $375.25 New

4 photos

Size: 4/4
Color: red brown
MPN: 1204
Vintage: Yes
Brand: Unbranded
Type: Acoustic

•Condition: New
•Seller rating: 99.8% positive (526 ratings)
•eBay Top Rated Seller
•Free shipping
•Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
•On sale: 5% off (was $395.00)

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Celtic Viola Outfit 16.5

Rating Score: 90/100 · $549.00 New

4 photos

Top Material: Maple
Size: 16.5"
Color: Brown
Vintage: No
Brand: Rozanna's Violins
Type: Acoustic

•Condition: New
•Seller rating: 100.0% positive (287 ratings)
•Free shipping
•Returns accepted (30 calendar day)

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Scherl and Roth SR62 Sarabande Series Intermediate Viola Outfit 15.5 in.

Rating Score: 95/100 · $2,099.00 New

4 photos

Brand: Scherl and Roth
MPN: SR62E152H
Model: Scherl and Roth SR62 Sarabande Series
Style 1: 15.5 in.
UPC: 641064925801

•Condition: New
•Seller rating: 99.8% positive (453443 ratings)
•Free shipping
•Returns accepted (30 calendar day)

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Buyer's Guide: How to Pick the Best Orchestral & Folk Strings

What's different about buying a viola compared to a violin.

Body Size Selection

Violas aren't standardized in size the way violins are — they typically range from about 15" to 17", and the right size depends on arm length and comfort, not just age or skill level. Try to confirm size fits your reach before buying.

Tone Trade-Offs by Size

Larger violas generally produce a deeper, more resonant C-string tone but are physically harder to manage, especially in shifting; smaller violas are easier to handle but can sound thinner in the low register. This is a genuine trade-off, not just a comfort preference.

String Choice Matters More

Violas are more string-sensitive than violins for achieving a full tone — a mediocre viola with well-chosen strings can outperform a better instrument with poor strings, more so than on violin.

Orchestral & Folk Strings FAQs

What viola size should an adult player choose? +

A 15.5"-16.5" viola suits most average adult arm lengths comfortably — larger sizes offer more tone at the cost of comfort, and it's worth trying a couple of sizes if possible before committing.

Why do violas cost more than comparable violins? +

Less standardized body sizing makes consistent manufacturing harder, and viola-specific tonewood selection for larger bodies is less commoditized — combined with a smaller total market, this keeps unit costs higher.

Can I use violin technique on viola? +

The left-hand and bowing fundamentals transfer directly, though the larger size requires some physical adjustment and reading alto clef is a new skill if you're coming from violin exclusively.

Is a step-up viola worth it for community orchestra playing? +

Yes — orchestras chronically need violists, and a well-set-up intermediate instrument will make ensemble playing noticeably more enjoyable and in-tune than a bare student instrument.

Top Sellers Rank

Rank	Seller	Price vs. average	Rating
#1	musiciansfriend	-76% vs. avg	★ 5
#2	music_and_arts	-9% vs. avg	★ 5
#3	losttreasures_12	+133% vs. avg	★ 5

Why Should You Trust Us?

Every viola outfit here is cross-checked against live eBay listings, with body size and solid wood construction confirmed from the listing description before inclusion.

Written by Vincent Vandegans

Vincent has spent years buying, selling, and researching gear across live marketplaces. He personally tests a portion of the products featured on this site — hands-on with the exact model, checking build quality, sound, and feel for himself. For the rest of the lineup, each pick goes through the same in-depth research process rather than being taken at face value from a listing photo.

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How this guide was researched

Hands-on testing, when possible

Whenever Vincent owns or can source the exact model, he tests it directly — evaluating build quality, sound, playability, and how it holds up against the manufacturer claims.

Technical spec sheets, compared side by side

For every other pick, the manufacturer datasheets, manuals, and published specifications are read in full and compared against competing models in the same price range — not just skimmed from a listing summary.

Real owner reviews, mined from blogs and forums

Vincent digs through long-running gear forums, owner blogs, and marketplace review threads to find recurring, repeated feedback from real buyers after months of actual use — not just the top review snippet or a manufacturer-friendly quote.

Live marketplace data, checked at publish time

Price, seller reputation, condition, and availability shown on this site are cross-checked directly against live eBay and Amazon listings, so the ranking reflects what is actually being sold, not a historical average.

This article contains affiliate links.