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Hello Friends,
I moved my questions to the proper place now, I think. I now how my new-to-me Scherl & Roth 15" viola. At least that's what I think it is; the model number on the label (Model R41E15) doesn't seem to match any of the company's instruments. It was clean but I gave it and the case a very thorough detailing because I'm a bit OCD, haha.
The bow is a Glasser, but other than that I know nothing, or even if that is an acceptable bow. I gave it a haircut because it had a lot of broken strands. I have several very old bows I bought ages ago (yes, I had no typically bowed instruments, just liked the bows) that I'm going to get out and see what I have.
The "D" string is missing, but I have an entire new set of extremely cheap strings. Should I replace only the missing string for now or replace the whole set? I have a feeling that the three strings that are on the viola are of much better quality than the new set I have.
I also bought a rubber mute and I like it a lot. Thanks for all the guidance I already got when I mistakenly posted on the violin section of the forum. I thought I was getting a violin until I learned differently from the good people there. Here are photos of the instrument from the auction site I bought it from: 
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@foxwaves -
I would try the D string alone, 1st - but if all the other strings sound better than your new D, guess you're screwed. (lol) Seriously, if you want them to all match - it'll depend on what your ears tell you, but if they 'look' old, might as well change them all out. Just don't expect to get a good sound out of cheap strings - I do hope you get lucky & your new viola shows it likes the strings!
Hope you are all excited & ready to start!
The brown bow in the photo is a Glasser?
If it looks like this, might be fiberglass, but I have no experience with bows of that material.
- Emily
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ELCBK said
@foxwaves -I would try the D string alone, 1st - but if all the other strings sound better than your new D, guess you're screwed. (lol) Seriously, if you want them to all match - it'll depend on what your ears tell you, but if they 'look' old, might as well change them all out. Just don't expect to get a good sound out of cheap strings - I do hope you get lucky & your new viola shows it likes the strings!
Hope you are all excited & ready to start!
The brown bow in the photo is a Glasser?
If it looks like this, might be fiberglass, but I have no experience with bows of that material.
- Emily
Thanks Emily. I think it's going to be a long time before I have to be very concerned about the effect of string quality on the sounds :). I bowed the three existing strings for a minute after I got home from work and....ouch! Made me wonder how anyone is able to get pretty music out of a box like that! The new mute is going to be mighty handy!
That does look like my bow. Will a bow with only about half the hair left be OK for a while? Thanks again, Emily!
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