Irv said
I have found another potential method of improving the sound of a fractional sized student viola.  It is described as the “hole in the heart” procedure and was invented in Finland.  Looks easy enough to do.  

  

It's commonly used for Converting Violins into Violas but it also allows Smaller Sized Violas to sound much cleaner (maybe Small Cellos & Double Basses too). It kinda reminds me of another instrument called a Crwth[Image Can Not Be Found] which the Treble Bridge foot rests on the soundboard while the Long Bass bridge foot goes down the Bass Soundhole & rests directly on the back. Here on the Hole-in-The-Heart Viola (also Violin to Viola conversion) it's inverted, because the Bass bridge foot rests on the So the Treble Bridge foot is connected to the soundpost, it goes down the hole & rests directly on the Back. This Hole-In-The-Heart Surgery has the effect of reducing higher frequency resonances & gives the lower registers a greater sonority, a quality that was Previously impossible w/ the Smaller Student Violas.

ELCBK said
@Oscar Stern -

Welcome to the forum! 

Interesting topic!  I think there are MANY folks that aren't comfortable playing a large violin or viola - so, better tone from a smaller instrument would certainly be wonderful! 

I didn't notice this thread when I first joined the forum.  To help with fractional size instrument tone, I had not considered anything other than string choice and possible bridge position adjustment. 

Wish we knew the outcome of Irv's modification, but (unfortunately) Irv hasn't visited the forum since 2022. 

 

🤔... I've wondered if the sound post position for a fractional was much different than a 4/4 instrument.

I'd probably recommend drilling a small guide hole & using a 3/8", or 9/16" wavy forstner bit - for a clean edge.  Since violins/small violas have curved fronts & backs, a simple jig to prevent the instrument from rocking would help.  I'd also rig up a mini drill press stand - they aren't expensive to buy, but the purpose of this thread was to save money.  ... practicing on a similar thickness of scrap spruce wood, at a slight angle, could also help. 

Btw, the image of the modified 'blue' violin doesn't look like wood (the edge of the hole & inside back), it might make a difference, but I still see some chipping around the top edge of the hole.  I'd place tape over a painted surface, before drilling.

 

I'd still consider less invasive alternatives, first. 

Overly BRIGHT Violin? Thread - a paperclip could be an easy alternative. 

Giving Strings a Fair Chance With Instrument Adjustments Thread - posts with videos on sound post adjustments & bridge positioning, to correct weak/strong string issues. 

Suppose it would turn teachers upside-down if I just suggested tuning down a whole step to help contend with brightness (?) 😄 

- Emily

  

Tape & yes it works like a Welsh Crwth because of the long Bridge Foot that goes down the hole & rests on the Back.

Irv said
I am getting my supplies for the pending experiment of providing a hole in heart to a 14 inch viola.  Big question.  The Strad study used Corelli Crystal viola strings.  It does not look like Corelli continued to make them for the viola, but I found a new set.  On the plus side, the c String is tungsten wound.  On the negative side is that they are double the cost of my alternative D’Addario Ascente.  

My purpose is to create a reasonably inexpensive amateur doubling viola and not a bare boned student instrument, so I can live with a string cost of about $50.  I do not play the viola, so suggestions are welcomed.  

I plan on using a harp style 3/4 violin sized hill type ebony tail piece without fine tuners to maximize string after length.

  

@Oscar Stern 

Link removed by Mouse. Please read the Welcome Email I sent when you joined, and second email I sent you when you first posted the link and I removed it. If you repost it again, you will have to be banned. I was going to state this via email, but they don't seem to be being read. 

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