2011 Eastman VA100 5-String Viola Conversion

This is a quick mod I did for my friend Freeman. He bought this older Eastman viola with the intention of having it converted into a 5-string. I did that -- filled the old pegholes, drilled/reamed for new ones, fit Perfection Pegs (geared) at the headstock, recut the bridge, modified a tailpiece, and fit a nicer chinrest -- and then after a restring and setup... hey presto! It's a 5-string viola! -- tuned CGDAE low to high.

It's not my cleanest work but it's functional and plays and sounds real nice. I used light-gauge Helicore strings with an extra high E intended to match the Helicore set. Freeman is a fiddler so I'm hoping the stranded steel-core strings will suit his need for something tuning-stable.





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Oscar Stern said…
The Stranded Steel Core of the Helicore Strings makes bowing on them easier cause they're thinner & they sound great.
June 23, 2023 at 8:55 PM
Oscar Stern said…
Violas are always amazing candidates to become 5 string Instruments tuned C, G, D, A, E because the C String will resonate properly & the High E String won't sound quite as squeaky, so it's a win-win for both sides.
June 25, 2023 at 10:40 AM
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