TEN REASONS why I (as a professional musician) changed to a carbon fibre viola

[@Brinta3]

He is exactly as jolly and expressive as you would expect from a German.

[@maestromecanico597]

Honestly, you had me at "no pain." When what you love to do (or have to do) becomes a discomfort then it's time reevaluate one's choices. Here the progress of technology has afforded a suitable option. Bravo.

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

How do you keep the orchestra warm in the winter? Just pile up all the violas and make a bonfire! The only thing with carbon fibre violas is, do they burn as well as wood?!

[@bliss6495]

@@PreservationEnthusiast Not funny and degrading!!

[@NSResponder]

Landing on your viola and only having to replace the bridge is powerful reason. If you just carry a spare bridge in your case, you're protected against disaster. Fantastic!

[@lukasschliepkorte3019]

​@@mal2ksche can rent another car if the viola breaks the first ;)

[@BetterMe981]

I played on a L & C cello for 4 years. I liked that it served as an outdoor instrument so that I didn’t have to be concerned about my wood cello and the elements. The carbon fiber cello was easy to play and fit most ensemble situations. That said, it wasn’t satisfying playing intimate chamber music indoors, as it became very clear that there was basically one color, one sound it made so the actual music the musician wanted to make just never really came out. It always left me feeling like I didn’t really just play an amazing Trout quintet or Brahms quartet. So, I sold it. Luckily it sold fast. So, I think it’s good for some situations and not for others.

[@alfyfl]

I can coax some nice sounds out of my Luis and Clark viola for chamber music, I think my bow makes it much better, I have a nice wooden one, but if I use my coda bow it's harder. I play quartets weekly for reading usually a Haydn but then something interesting like late Beethoven, Verdi, Ravel, Shostakovich, etc. I've recorded for KZbin a Concerto for String Sextet by Roy Harris you could probably find. Maybe the cello isn't as suited for it, but a professional cellist plays one around here. From what I've heard the full size viola is the most successful of the Luis and Clarks. I have a Luis and Clark violin I recently bought used but I haven't really played it enough to judge it. I've never played a cello :(

[@guidolinarnaldo]

Mio maestro di violino (ho studiato in Belgio) mi disse che Eugene Ysaye avesse studiato con un violino fatto in alluminio , e sembra sia al museo , non ricordo se del conservatorio di Liegi... anche pizza surgelata si può mangiare , ma fresca fatta a mano is better😊

[@thomasstevenrothmbamd2384]

Wow! I like this musician's attitude about innovation especially superior ergonomics for a first-do-no-harm ethic. This is well done with all excellent reasons.

[@Violacomfy]

What a thorough review! Hard to argue with that. Easier to play, temperature resistant, and nearly crush proof is amazing. Actually amazing. My only issue with these instruments is the sound quality doesn't have enough colours or nuance for my taste. It isn't a bad sound (his playing is some of the warmest and nicest sounds I have heard from a Luis and Clark viola), but it doesn't do it for me. If that isn't a deal breaker then this is a fantastic solution.

[@bigmandrel]

I really like your rationale/list for the carbon fiber viola. Good, solid , practical information based on experience and evidence.

[@deutschlander85]

I bought my Luis and Clark violin about ten years ago and have been absolutely delighted with it for all of the reasons that you highlighted. However, at the end of the day it's the quality and evenness of the sound that it produces that makes it so wonderful. The Luis and Clark instruments are quite easy to play. I think the only problem that I have had is that other musicians and teachers are so skeptical about it. The carbon fiber violins have been around for a number of years but not enough string players have had the chance to try them, and, thus they are inevitably dubious. I think my teacher nearly had a heart attack when I showed up to my first lesson with it after having sold my 150 year-old French violin to buy it. No regrets though.

[@nadaprem]

I got one, and am so happy with it! Huge volume, will pierce any orchestra, absolutely marvellous palette of colours in sound, so comfortable to play! And I bought it after watching your videos! Thank you so much!

[@solobratscherviola7335]

Thanks that’s a very nice comment! That makes me really feel that this was worth for something 👍🏽

[@nadaprem]

@@solobratscherviola7335 Oh yes, i was doubtful between mezzo and L&C, you videos made me sure! I bought it mainly for busking, and now I find I play it most of the time!

[@matticeverhoeven6539]

Ebony comes from Africa, not the Amazon. But agree about the concern, there are abundant Australian timbres in with very similar properties to Ebony, e.g Gidgee, Cooktown ironwood, jarrah

[@eduardobenassi3072]

There are multiple types of Ebony, many of which are not endangered at all.

[@vonnikon]

​​@@eduardobenassi3072the completely black ones are. If musicians could accept fingerboards which are not completely black, then there would be less of a problem.

[@eduardobenassi3072]

@@vonnikon It's not about the color, educate yourself. NONE of my fellow musicians at uni are worried about their fretboards being a particular "completely black" Ebony species. It's about the grain molecular structure, its greater consistency AND last, its aesthetic appeal.

[@MladenSpasinoviciMusicLibrary]

Hi! I am principal cellist in National Opera from Bucharest and I play my Luis&Clark cello since the spring of 2013 so for over 10 years. 🎉 Still sounds amazing as always! Oh! I forgot to tell you, I have the only L&C in Romania. No other cello, violin, viola or double bass were sold to Romania unfortunately.

[@ukestudio3002]

Would love to see some of your content here on Yt .! I love cello music .! Cheers .!

[@MladenSpasinoviciMusicLibrary]

@@ukestudio3002 Sure! You can listen to some of my performances using L&C Carbon Fiber Cello here on Duo Cell’Arpa Channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3iTaWWwqJ2fsK8si=6h81hu-W0na5DfqT

[@pa30fps]

Aloha (as we say around here in Hawaii). I think I own the only L & C Cello on Hawaii island -- though there may be others on Oahu (the most-populated island). I own #265, which I've had since 2008. I LOVE my cello!

[@trabouliste1037]

I am only an amateur, but I really like my 5-string Luis&Clark cello, even if I‘d generally prefer the sound of gut strings and my first try of gut strings with my L&C cello failed …

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

I think in time the polyester resins or plasterers will eventually dry out and become brittle. I have experience with fiberglass resin and cloth of which I am allergic. If carbon fiber is anything like fiberglass eventually it will dry out and crack and or fatigue will set in. Because of the way carbon fiber is laid up it will only have strength in one direction. That is why the Titan failed. It did not have the required structural integrity to hold the 13,000 pluss pressure in the abyss. I can only wonder under the tremendous pressure on the bridge of a viola or its neck and tailpiece what a failure would result if an air pocket in the carbon lattice gave way it might be like holding a cross bow at yourself. Even wooden violins are not immune to cracks and desalination. While I wcome technology and innovation I work with my hands and love. Am wood.

[@stuffnuns]

The use of polymers and new products for instruments is a good thing, I play harmonicas, and the old wood combs in harmonicas had so many problems of air leaks due to swelling, shrinking and cracking. The newer acrylic and bamboo hybrid combs are more airtight and comfortable to play.

[@mismatmom]

Love your thinking on considering the effects on the environment of sourcing rare tropical woods for instruments. I recently purchased my second carbon fiber bow because of the minimal impacts in this respect.

[@melvynobrien6193]

Enough of this tropical-wood nonsense.

[@eduardobenassi3072]

@@melvynobrien6193 This is the great r3tard era, sir. Nonsense is the norm.

[@felixflatterer6646]

your are disgustingly pseudo-virtuous

[@lok6314]

you guys are not aware?? carbon fiber is very bad for the environment in many more ways then wood will ever be! This is what happens when people think they are doing environment a favor, but do more dmg. same as with electric cars, they do far more dmg then fossil fuel cars ever will do

[@bliss6495]

@@melvynobrien6193 Your brain is nonsense, nothing in it.

[@Charles-cs8mv]

Good video. All of them are reasonable points and I appreciate the tropical forrests part in particular. As much as I love wooden instruments, as much I think we should keep us open to new inventions and research them as unbiased as possible.

[@kathyplaza9883]

Thank you for your video. I am blessed with having both the 4 and 5 string Luis & Clark violins. All your reasons resonate with my experience with them too. I am in absolute love with my violins and would never be without them. I am so glad to hear that your accident with your viola was such a great learning experience on just how strong these instruments are.

[@alanaliyev456GT]

im juste a poor player. but a big collectionnor . im very happy to have a new project of buy.... A CARBON VIOLIN...or Viola.. a decent instrument...5 Strings if its possible.. Carbon and ebony are very good mariage.....

[@petebard]

I’ve got a carbon fiber,five string,fiddle made by Fred Gayford and I love the thing. It’s louder than most wood fiddles and it needs very little care. Also very little tuning once your strings are broken in. I let a busker friend play it and he immediately ordered one so he could play in a drizzle or snow if he felt like. I’ve loved it,from the start. I also believe, contrary to everybody that it seems to hove broken in a bit in the first week or so.

[@virtualpoboy]

Very interesting.....I'm a listener only and wonder about the 'warmth' of its resonance.....I'm sure it is a reactionary thought...wood =warmth, carbon, solid without wood fibre to resonate as a hard sound. I would love to hear a Brahms quartet of carbon instruments... Brahms, evokes in my experience, the complexities of harmonics where instruments can 'sing' their distinctive voices to make the Brahms voice very engaging to the listener. But in all, I liked and enjoyed your very experienced voice of reason on all levels. Now....to fool the eye...carbon fibre that looks as if the finest woods were at play! Thank you!!

[@arapaimagold8088]

Comparing wood vs CF is like comparing Paiste cymbals with Zildjian.

[@alanaliyev456GT]

@@arapaimagold8088 i have a big collection of Music instruments and in winds, sometimes "cold Metalic sound " is for wood and " sweet warm vibes" is for other material. ex clarinet cristal mouthpiece Pomarico .. lot of Great saxs (Selmer/BC ...).. brain must sometimes forget this link only certain in ....Xylophon vs Metallophon.. in very hight Frequency (>660 hz E string , violin sound quality is on responsability of string itself at 95%.).more you fall in bass zone more nature of Soundboard is important... its an important thing..... for spot a bad string instrument,play it on all its possibilities,bass in first

[@micmacnz]

It sounds lovely, and looks stunning. I am not a bowed instrument player, but in the Guitar world Carbon Fibre acoustics are very highly rated, and I think they will become more prevalent as more manufacturers start to produce them in larger volumes.

[@themusicguy819]

As a violinist who plays viola here and there, this is the instrument I must have!

[@dsthorp]

Your speech is wonderful to hear and convincing.

[@klesmer]

Thank you. The Viola is my favorite stringed instrument. I must be broken because the English horn is my favorite wood wind and I play the Sax.

[@bassoprof]

Thanks a lot. This is a very enjoyable video not only because the subject matter (a brand new type of viola) is interesting, but also the wonderful way of explanation given by the musician. His English is excellent with a rich vocabulary and clear, precise pronunciation of words.

[@secretagent86]

I have heard some carbon guitars in the $2k range that both really projected the sound and had superior tones.

[@virtuosomaximoso1]

My Emerald I bought used for $2500. Probably the highest fidelity and quality guitar I own.

[@FaintlyTapping]

Thank you for describing the benefits of a carbon fiber viola. As a musician, I enjoyed your descriptions very much.. By the way, I love your city of Mainz. I was an American GI in Germany in 1976 where I met my wife in Wiesbaden where she was born and raised in Biebrich. Keep playing beautiful music.😊

[@LukeSchneiderEWI]

That's great !! 👍👍

[@ukestudio3002]

Lucky man !

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Some people like jaguars others Porsche. Please don't foist carbon fiber on me. It has no structural integrity except in artificial finger nails.

[@samchen587]

Thank you for your post.. I am also growing to love my carbon fiber cello (different brand) and agree with your reasons. Your playing is so mesmerizing that I have to listen to it many times. Danke!

[@alanaliyev456GT]

Brand of strings and good tuning is the most important. true carbon is not unpersonal or mettalic (lol its cheap plywood violin or cello default). carbon have fibers and give good vibes . especially in bass frequency .

[@alanaliyev456GT]

last month ,i try a Double Bass in composite (same field of price than my massive Romanian a few under 4K$ ) song was really deep and full of great harmonics . except German 5 strings giants 4/4 ..i never know this strenght of projection. I imagine for Cello its ideal solution ? because if its easy to found great Violin Alto or DB under 4K...lot of Cello in theses price are weak .... sweet..accurate but sadly WEAK (i have a good Chinese but with improving expense it exceed 6k ).. several friends assure me than carbon Cello are often better in song strenght than 2 times more expensives wood instruments.

[@douggoodhill]

My impression is that any instrument this man plays will sound great!

[@partrickstowman8039]

Thanks for the video! I admire your courage and innovation!

[@trainliker100]

The great comic pianist Victor Borge used to talk about how he initially was a viola player. He asks if you know what the difference is between a violin and a viola. His answer, "A viola burns longer."

[@Miffopro]

I have played Luis & Clark's magnificent cello since 2007, and will probably never give it up❣😁

[@carstenaltvater]

Actually I miss the warmth and depth of a wooden instrument. But you could probably prove me wrong in a blind audition. I think, the future will be a combination of wood and composite materials, for instance you do not need ebony, some luthiers use a synthetic material that has the same look and characteristics. But anyway, thank you so much for the video, there are many good thoughts in it.

[@ericoschmitt]

I'd bet a hybrid where only the top is made of wood would sound mostly the same as fully wooden. And I'd easily add a synthetic fingerboard to my wooden cello. Swapped in a new ebony one a couple years ago though, so that should last at least a couple decades of very intense playing, probably much more

[@arapaimagold8088]

Save the ebony for snares. That’s the only place it will stand out.

[@duanealancorn1461]

Interesting thought.

[@ericoschmitt]

@mellocello187 Years ago I saw a video of a violin made that way. Sounded like a violin. You will probably find if you search for. Expansion is a problem in fully wooden as well, otherwise instruments would never crack.

[@ZRJZZZZZ]

I would enjoy an AB comparison of the composite viola against the traditional viola. Thank you.

[@steveburrows101]

Awesome. I have a Rainsong carbon fibre acoustic guitar. It is a delight to play, and certainly it sounds as good to me as a high-end Martin or Taylor guitar. I was not aware that anyone was making high-end orchestral stringed instruments in carbon fibre. Enjoy!

[@ukestudio3002]

Tried the rainsong when it first debuted at a custom guitar show, here in California. Had almost no volume nor good tone. I’ll have to try them again per your recommendation. Thanks.

[@steveburrows101]

@@ukestudio3002 Mine is a BI-WS1000N2, and I played half a dozen much more expensive high-end brand guitars in a session before settling on it. But I also played some other Rainsong models which sounded too "brittle" in my clumsy hands. So I think they've come on a long way since the early days, and they have several very credible artists regularly using them for performance & recording, but each to their own etc. If you can find a decent stockist with a range of models then definitely worth investing an hour to try a few and see if any gel with you.

[@mikew9788]

My friend has a carbon fiber ukulele, I think it's a blackbird, sounds amazing and we have some very high end ukes to compare it too.

[@alanhaynes418]

I have played fretless bass for 45 years, and had several solid wood basses (as well as a Double Bass). The basses were mainly by WAL, a pro 1E and a Custom. This year I bought a Status S2000 from 1986, which is made from a single piece of solid Carbon Fibre, except for the Phenolic fingerboard. It is by far the best bass that I have ever played in every conceivable way. I cannot fault it and it has changed my view on 'synthetic' instruments.

[@willb1157]

thinking about the same thing here - did you get the new style or the older ones that they (he) no longer make?

[@clivesimpkins1]

What a fascinating discussion. Thank you. 🙌🏽

[@alfyfl]

I'm principal violist of the Gulf Coast Symphony in Fort Myers, Florida for 28 years. I bought a Luis & Clark viola in 2016 and I only have used it since then, for symphony concerts, pops concerts, musicals, chamber music, outdoor concerts, church gigs. Everything from Bach to Mahler to modern pieces we commission. I used to have shoulder and neck issues but they are gone. I actually play without a chin rest or shoulder rest now. I have a carbon fiber bow but I prefer my good wood bow that cost more than the viola. I'm wondering what strings you have on yours?

[@ericoschmitt]

Might be Kaplan strings, they are black and white. I use them on my (wooden) cello.

[@solobratscherviola7335]

Indeed, it’s Kaplan strings👍🏻

[@ukestudio3002]

Thanks for your comment. Love a good recommendation!

[@tedviolafire]

I’m so happy to hear about this from you!

[@sylviaernst]

I love my Fred Gayford 4 string and 5 string violins. The sound of carbon fiber though is noticeably different than that of wood and you can hear it in this video here too. Personally I like to use it when playing in pop/jazz or in a noisy place, it is a very strong sound. My wood violin is a lot more mellow and has that wood sound I very much prefer when playing in a Celtic jam with others where I don't want my sound to dominate or stick out but rather be merging into the sounds of the whole group.

[@JustFiddler]

i love celtic music😊

[@melvynobrien6193]

Your comment is accurate. Give me wood any day.

[@mikeobrien1559]

I started playing golf at the end of the wooden woods era, so I can relate to this. I have no wooden woods that are "still alive", but I have steel headed woods from the 90s that I still use.

[@bertmung]

My heart still sank when you described falling on your viola. Glad it survived.

[@russnixon6020]

Carbon fiber Formula 1 race cars easily survive 300 kph crashes allowing the driver to walk away from the wreck.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

@@russnixon6020 The CF body of a F1 car is not the reason for the driver surviving. Although a body designed to crumble on impact and absorb the energy caused from the crash helps, the over all safety of the car is far is far more complicated and sophisticated than just the body being the reason.

[@JuanjoNarive]

Parker Guitars user here, it's an hybrid aproach with only the back made of carbon fiber, still very solid!, I hope to try a full carbon fiber guitar soon.

[@ukestudio3002]

I bought and have one of-the first Parkers but it’s electric, thus the amp matters. The acoustic carbon fibers sound muted and tinny to me. This is a good video, tho. Cheers !

[@johncostelloe743]

Thank you for this great information ime glad you like your instrument and it is a viable alternative to tropical wood best wishes from Ireland

[@KackyMuse]

What a gorgeous sound!

[@Sandman.68.]

Well done , it takes courage to embrace chance in such a stuffy environment .

[@petebard]

I have a couple of carbon fiber instruments made by Fred Gayford. I read his experimentation with materials and thickness’ of parts. He starts with pre-preg which means the parts have the highest strength to weight ratio possible. He experimented with fiber orientation which can go from unidirectional to woven and had opinions on what was best for each part. I think the thing that turned me around though was Michael Cleveland playing a Gayford instrument and exclaiming, "I didn’t expect it to be THAT good." I bought mine and contrary to what everybody says. I’m certain I felt it break in in the first weeks I had it. I’m no expert violinist but I now only buy carbon fiber. I have two Gayford instruments and a Luis and Clark Cello. I also have the best Accord case for my cello and my bows are all the finest carbon fiber bows I know of. If someone makes carbon fiber rosin I’ll be first in line.

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Still using 'horse hair' in the bows though? 😉

[@petebard]

@@rossthefiddler5890 when something good comes to my attention I may give it a try/ where the bow is concerned too much may depend on the stick to fairly judge the hair.

[@russnixon6020]

fortunately, horse hair is a renewable material...@@rossthefiddler5890

[@lqr824]

Interesting information Pete, many thanks. I only play guitars (and no carbon or plastic ones!) but I write synthesizer software and consider myself fairly knowledgable about acoustics and instruments. Given that you can't even alter (break, scratch) these instruments by stepping on them (according to video!), falling on them, freezing them, baking them, even raining on them. I think it would therefore be absolutely impossible to break them in, which in my mind means breaking some of the cellulose in the wood that most keeps the instrument from vibrating musically. On acoustic guitars, breaking in is so important and noticeable. However, your carbon is not changing in the least. As humans we're very adaptable, and I would guess either your ears adapted to appreciate the tone more, and, your touch changed very slightly to elicit a tone from it more like you hoped for. It's also very possible the "breaking-in" process that's necessary for wood instruments isn't necessary for carbon, so I don't want anyone to think I am saying I know for a fact that a lack of ability to break-in is a problem. (Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I've played strings less than 20 minutes in my life and not in the last 35 years.)

[@AJMjazz]

A testament to carbon fiber instruments: My wife purchase a carbon fiber acoustic guitar from Emerald Gutars of Donegal, Ireland in 2010. She has performed all over the world with this instrument with no stability issues from environmental changes, no structural issues at all. Just this year it is showing the need for minor bridge maintenance. She would concur on all of your points for CF instruments. Thank you for your assessment.

[@ukestudio3002]

Wow ! Good volume ..nicely demonstrated. Thanks for upload !

[@rossthefiddler5890]

Thank you for all that information. Very convincing too. 🙂 I'm only playing (as amateur) on a 16" viola but still find reaching into higher positions less comfortable, having not played it for a number of years & also being a violinist originally. I do use a carbon fibre bow though & there, the more one pays for it (usually), the better it is too.

[@FeralMess]

Pleasure to see professional musician open to the progress and innovations!

[@anthonyb5279]

Im a master luthier and I have been making carbon fiber instruments since the 1980s I find it hard to convince people of its superior attributes especially classical musicians. Im glad to see you understand.

[@RemyRAD]

I can absolutely understand. Why you would go with a carbon fiber viola. For instance. My father was a highly accomplished, violinist, soloist, concertmaster. For some of America's greatest Symphony Orchestra's. Before I was born in 1955. My father had gotten his hands on a Giuseppe Gaudinini, violin. From the late 1700s. Years went by and the violin appreciated in value. At one point. My father wanted to purchase a house. And so he put that violin up for sale. It got him a house. Conversely. He had told me. He had replaced the instrument with a, new, $200, Korean, violin. And he was amazed. At its sound. How it felt. His intonation. The entire feel of the violin. He told me he liked a lot better. And I thought he had lost his mind. But honestly. I was felt his violin was a bit tinny sounding. And it was. The new Korean violin. Had a warm lush sound to it. He sounded better on it. So I can understand your carbon fiber desire. It is a unique material. It's incredibly rigid. Incredibly strong. And it offers up a great resonance. More than, wood. It's amazing. And so you and your instrument truly sounds lovely. What an incredible tone. But listen up. I'm a history making multiple major music award nominee. For my audio engineering expertise. And I make you this one suggestion. The finest kind of a microphone to use. On stringed instruments. It is called a Velocity Microphone. That most people know as a Ribbon Microphone. As they sound incredibly lush and warm. And they hear, like your ears do. They can be much more true to life sounding than any, condenser or dynamic microphone. Mark my words. It's true. Ribbon Microphones are available in a multitude of prices. From extremely affordable units from China. That work and sound great. And no reason not to own. To the high-end luxury units. Costing many thousands of dollars each. Both are ribbon microphones. Both will have similar characteristics in their tonality. And the way they pick up sound.. As it's no longer from the pressure wave. But that of the velocity of the sound. Hence, it's accurate original name of, Velocity Microphone. As it picks up the speed or velocity of sound. Not so much the pressure wave, itself. It's a strange concept. You have to hear to understand. And so I've seen the Chinese made Cascades, ribbon microphones. For as little as $159 each. And I've heard them. I was amazed. It's a fabulous bang for the buck. They might sound a bit tubby around 400 Hz? That is easily remedied. With any kind of equalization. The hardware or software. It does not matter. And you'll get this, sound. The likes of which you have only heard. An old radio shows and movies. From the 1930s-40s and 50s. And those were the RCA Ribbon Microphones. You can occasionally find on eBay or Reverb. As I still have 2 RCA 77-DX's. A, SHURE, 300. And a number of, German-made ribbon microphones. That sound, fabulous. I love these things on female vocalists. On stringed instruments. As room microphones for drums. As room microphones for room microphones. For an old-fashioned flavor, voiceover narrative guy. They are amazing. Just do not subject them to powerful air blasts. It'll destroy them. And so? I also recommend should you get a ribbon microphone. And you should. You want to purchase an oversized, gray foam pop filter. From, SHURE Inc. And will transform your $100,, SM-57. Into sounding a lot like a SM-7B. Because they use the exact same microphone cartridge capsule. And bozos who get the SM-7B's. Are just clueless bozos that know nothing. I hope you guys figure out how to do this within your lifetimes? RemyRAD

[@walterhambrick8705]

I whole heartily understand. I used to play a Gretsch Country (Gentleman) Classic which was very heavy. I now play fully hollow body Gretsch 5400 series guitars due to the weight. Enjoy your viola ! Remember, "You've go to make your own kind of music ..."

[@yepiratesworkshop7997]

Man, after your story about falling on the viola and your friend walking on it, it sounds like it's built like a Russian piano. Please play us some more music on that thing!

[@Youtube_Stole_My_Handle_Too]

Indeed, all of your arguments were quite persuasive; however, I had not previously taken them into full consideration. The sole justification for my exclusive use of a carbon fiber viola is attributed to its superior sound quality. The timbres produced are notably more lucid, and the resonance attains greater heights. I experienced a rekindling of my appreciation for music.

[@JMEssex]

This is great! Thank you so much for these pointers!

[@TheOliveWalsh]

It has a beautiful tone

[@chavruta2000]

it's also lighter and can do 0 to 60 in 2.4 seconds on racing viola.

[@picksalot1]

I agree with all your reasons. I play guitar. Though there are some good Carbon Fiber Guitars available, I don't think they've advanced tonally as much as the bowed string instruments have. But, they are getting better every year, and sound more and more like they are made of wood, and have a richer sonority. Generally, they still tend to sound a bit thin. I think this is probably due to them being too structurally stiff. I do wonder how the material will age, and if they won't become brittle like old plastic. Thanks

[@petebard]

I have a RainSong all carbon fiber guitar and I love it, besides being beautiful it is fairly loud and I like the sound. I play mostly fiddle these days but I started on the guitar a bunch of years ago.

[@petebard]

Oh yeah, my fiddles are carbon fiber except for two wooden ones which I never play anymore.

[@russnixon6020]

Brittleness via aging is entirely dependent on the chemistry of the polymer used as the binder in the composite material.

[@c97f]

Carbon has been a structural engineering material for maybe three or four decades so embrittlement should be a well understood and solved problem by now.

[@philmoore71]

i guess Tommy Emmanuel wouldn't be bending the neck then

[@yefreman_musica]

Thank you very much for taking time to make this video for us. I wonder what are the advantages for a Carbon Fiber Double Bass.

[@d.macrae461]

Put a sail on it on the weekend.

[@kevinfarrellUK]

I have for about 10yrs a cf guitar made in Ireland, although I am not classically trained and at 65 yrs old learning violin, I play venues around the uk all year round. Everything you say about cf is wholly accurate. The stability is amazing. The only problem I had was in comparing with wood. It is not wood. Comparing it is pointless. It has its own distinct character. I have not played a wood guitar outside my home since I bought it. :))

[@garywhitt98]

Emerald?

[@melvynobrien6193]

Wood sounds better; end of discussion.

[@garywhitt98]

@@melvynobrien6193 Your info is old. Play an Emerald X30 and re-evaluate.

[@kevinfarrellUK]

@@garywhitt98 yes, the model I have is a lefty X20 ;))

[@garywhitt98]

@@kevinfarrellUK A beautiful and versatile model. Congrats!

[@jcortese3300]

I heard a story about a cellist with the orchestra in New Orleans who had to flee her house during Katrina, and she left her cello. It was submerged for two weeks under swampy water, but it was a CF one from Luis and Clark, so all she needed was new strings, a new bridge, and a new soundpost and some cleaning and she was ready to go. If I were to play a bowed string instrument, I'd absolutely get a Luis and Clark. I wouldn't even bother looking at a wooden one.

[@KellenAdair]

Wow,

[@KellenAdair]

Wow, survived Katrina. That's amazing!

[@nedheadwyoming]

I play a Luis and Clark cello and love it. I do believe that the nut is ebony still? The bass bar is carbon fiber and the soundpost is spruce.

[@nellyd9280]

Great video. Thank you

[@rickc2102]

making me want a cf flattop guitar now

[@leodebrouwer7282]

Very brave of you to defend this! I'm waiting for a flute in the same matter.....I's really amazing !

[@Bikewithlove]

Thank you for this video. I once had a conversation with a violin repair shop owner about how classical instruments are already perfect & can’t be ‘improved,’ so this video interests me because in terms of sound a carbon fiber instrument won’t be an improvement, it could soon be made to match the best violins - but they really do seem to improve on the playability and portability.

[@guysabol8743]

but NOT harmonics and vibrationality

[@Bikewithlove]

@@guysabol8743 - I realize you’re an AI bot but pease at least use real words.

[@philrichards9761]

Maestro, we need to hear your beautiful instrument! Please point us to examples of this viola in chamber music or what have you. As a clarinet player, I can attest to how unimportant the material is to the sound of a woodwind, despite centuries of 'wisdom' to the contrary. Clarinets and oboes have been made of dense Dalbergia melanoxylon (called African Blackwood, or M'pingo, or Granadilla, but not 'ebony', that's another species) for more that 100 years. Before that, they were made of Boxwood. It became commercially extinct to continue, so what with colonization of Africa in the 19th century, new materials were found. Dalbergia's real advantage is in the fact that its density means that it machines well. But it too is becoming unprofitable to use. For some 25 years now, the sawdust collected from this wood has been mixed with epoxy and the most renown maker (Buffet of France) has been milling clarinets from this waste material, generated from milling and boring out clarinets, etc. from this wood. They are now turning (unfortunately) to other rare hardwood species from the Amazon, as even this stop-gap substance runs out. I am a player of the clarinet, saxophone and bassoon, though am employed as a recording engineer. At a recent session I was surprised to see a professional and renown oboist with a plastic(!!) instrument from one of the world' finest makers. We who played cheap plastic woodwinds as school children assumed that it was the material that made those instruments so atrocious. Not so. Clarinets have been made of metal, raw rubber, plastic, other woods, even crystal or acrylic. (I would like to form an Eb clarinet from a baseball bat!) What is critical to the quality of sound is the shape of the bore and quality of workmanship, not the material. Work on the cheapest materials go to the least experienced craftsmen; they're the ones making student instruments. Costly materials go to the pros. The great and innovative bassoon maker, Wilhelm Heckel of Wiesbaden, more than 100 years ago lined the bore of the Maplewood instrument with a plastic material to prevent moisture from cracking the wood, a serious problem for all woodwind instruments. If the material were indeed so critical,, Herr Heckel would have stuck with wood. Heckel bassons are sill made that way (and all the others in the marketplace, too), and also are the most highly regarded of any bassoon in the world! So clearly the material is not relevant, especially in a woodwind; the walls of the instrument do not substantially transmit sound. The sound all comes from the bore; the instrument itself does not resonate like a soundboard. It's the air column that does. I cannot speak to stringed instruments, as it is outside the scope of my (limited) expertise. But it nonetheless comes to me as no surprise that a carbon fiber viola can meet professional artistic demands. Jascha Heifitz had a violin made of aluminum made for him. It is on display (last I checked) at The Colburn School in Los Angeles. Wood is merely a material of historical fact and tradition; it was the most abundant material and most easily tooled material available in times past. Sound quality is incorrectly ascribed to it. It is build quality and the musician's concept of tone that really matter. Thank you for posting this interesting video, and please point us to performances on it!

[@JeffNipp]

Wow. Great testimonial.

[@MusicalMII]

Great video! Thank you for your useful insights on the use of Carbon Fibre instruments. Very informative!

[@zidanidane]

that story about you falling is just awe inspiring

[@zidanidane]

i'm glad you're fine

[@solobratscherviola7335]

🙏🏼

[@robabnawaz]

Das Video ist sehr überzeugend. Êrfreulicherweise werden auch andere Instrumente wie die persische Setar heute aus Carbon hergestellt.

[@insightamization]

I am glad at the inovations- The CF (carbon fiber) viola seemed to have more sound projection than a wood instrument -but- and I am sorry for bring this part to your attention. You seemed to be a seasoned muscian but in your performane on the CF Viola I heard many sour notes. The sound level of the CF intruments projection made the sour notes more noticable. A wood viola seems to be more forgivng. So the CF preformance would have to be spot on to serve the music and the orchestra so as not be overly obvious. Again I apologize for pointing the sour notes.

[@GrayPlayer]

For comparison would like to hear the same piece played on a wood instrument!

[@rexyoutube408]

Thank you so much!

[@chogno98]

You sound fantastic.

[@peeterscm]

very informative and -.I wonder if lower instrument insurance costs (contrasted with the frequently increased appraisal values of traditional wooden instruments) would benefit CF owners.(?)

[@myeongcheolsin4552]

비싼 고가의 목재 악기를 대체하고 소리 음질을 보장한다면 일반인들은 탄소 카본 악기를 기꺼히 사용 할것이다. 리코드도 프라스틱 악기 음질이 좋다.

[@dixonqwerty]

Very interesting!! Greetings from Sweden

[@LukeSchneiderEWI]

Wow ! I never knew there were carbon fiber string instruments ! Two meters tall and you play a viola ? I thought that bigger fingers would make it very difficult to play violin or viola ... Thanks for the informative video ! Had to edit ...Just heard your viola ! Great projection and robust tone !! 🎻👍

[@tesmith47]

I'm 6 ft 2 and I play viola too...?not even close to this guy. Lol¡

[@duanealancorn1461]

Always learning aren't we?

[@javierbiaggi3072]

Beautiful sound¡ Of course the player is outstanding the instrument seems very responsive. Do you have to play it kind of different from wooden ones because sometimes you can here the instrument fighting the sound and I can barely here this.

[@kentl7228]

So tone is just fine, obviously. That is great because musicians can be superstitious and hear with their eyes and preventing deforestation of rare trees is sad and not needed. Like Rhino horn. I remember reading a study where professional violinists played some instruments blindfolded. The most popular instrument was a Yamaha, not the Stradivarius.

[@donnarn2727]

In the 1980's I looked for over a year around Southern California, which has many fine violin shops and luthiers, to find my wood viola which has a wonderful tone. I was not impressed with the tone of the carbon fiber viola. Since I am now a church musician and one of only two orchestral string players who rotate through the praise band, I am very exposed and not blending with other string instruments to make up for the lack of tone quality a carbon fiber viola has. My primary violin likewise has a sweet tone I enjoy and while it does not project as much as I would like, we use microphones at church. However, I would consider a carbon fiber instrument if I end up traveling or playing outside again. As far as switching instruments, I do that regularly between playing viola and violin, so playing scales to reset my fingers is not a big deal.

[@MagSidious]

Never have I been so happy that I went CF on my violin. Yesterday I broke a rule and put my violin in my chair. As one would expect, I sat on it. It was fine.

[@BrewsterMcBrewster]

Refreshing to see a fine viola player who isn't a musical instrument snob! I would like to put the snobs in a room, blindfold them and play a Stradivarius back to back with this carbon fiber instrument and see if they can tell the difference. And even if they could, is the difference "better" or "worse"?

[@solobratscherviola7335]

Well that’s what we did in my viola group. Not with a strad of course but with lots of old expensive violas. Since then my carbon Viola is accepted in the group because in everyones ears it was always one of the best…👍🏾

[@chrisgrow22]

I play a Lewis and Clark. Yes, the sound is identical to wood. I use it outdoors, no problem.

[@postholedigger8726]

That is a nice sounding instrument.

[@rupertwilson7020]

Not least, 4. Bravo! Maestro.

[@edwardebel1847]

Just curious: did you try the Mezzo-forte viola? In 2015 I drove up to Werther from Wiesbaden and bought a violin and viola from them. I still have the viola. Just wondered why you went with a US made instrument over the German made one...since you are in Mainz (a little further of a drive than from Wiesbaden.) Vielen dank!

[@solobratscherviola7335]

Yes I tried them several times. They are indeed not half as good as the Luis & Clark. I was in close contact with the company of mezzoforte and described everything they would have to change to make their instruments sound better but Dr. Kleinalstede, the head of Mezzoforte, didn’t listen 🤷🏼‍♂️ I met him several times due i am known in Germany as being specialized on CF instruments. Try a L & C viola and you will definitely hear the difference…

[@edwardebel1847]

@@solobratscherviola7335 Thanks for your reply. I will check out the L&C viola!

[@trabouliste1037]

@@solobratscherviola7335I‘ve tested the Mezzoforte cello once a the Musikmesse Frankfurt, but I wasn’t impressed (in contrary to my Luis & Clark cello).

[@abrahamben-zeev9142]

It would be a great idea of instead of tuning pegs, they would use a worm gear drive like a guitar. It would make the tuning far easier and the tension would be locked mechanically instead of by the peg's friction.

[@nedheadwyoming]

They do have planetary geared pegs

[@solobratscherviola7335]

Yes, and if you want to add some of these fine tuning pegs to your instrument, I recommend the ones of „Wittner“ in Germany.👍🏻

[@steveheyden9219]

What about carbon fiber bass? Thanks

[@stancurtin]

Forgive me if it was already on your previous video, but I kept waiting to hear a comparison on sound? It's very hard for me to imagine that such a hard mono surface would produce the organic subtle tones a wooden instrument might? Or have a personality like a wooden instrument does? Perhaps that's not important when playing with a large group, but as a solo instrument, I would think there would be a deficit there?

[@duanealancorn1461]

I'd be interested, too. I play symphpnically and as a fiddler.

[@biggysground]

Ok so my next question is do you play with synthetic bows and hairs too? Which maker?

[@watching7650]

The instrument's voice seemed to have, on all strings except perhaps the G, an "acidulé", tart candy aftertaste. Is something wrong with the recording setup?

[@BigHenFor]

Look at the room. All hard surfaces is a poor recording setup.

[@TitofBee]

Hello, why did you installed this black rubber piece ? to keep the structure from entering in resonnance , or to attenuate a bit the 2 middle strings intensity ? Thanks

[@tesmith47]

Finally us viola players get the respect !!!❤

[@metricstormtrooper]

You forgot to add that your carbon fiber viola looks really Badass.👍

[@friedfish69]

Given the power of the instrument, do you have problems with timbre in quiet passages?

[@MladenSpasinoviciMusicLibrary]

No problem at all! My L&C cello can play soft as a Clarinet and loud as a French Horn with the right handling. It’s all about the bow and more importantly about the player.

[@alphonsotate2982]

WOW it is beautiful glad you like it cool material carbon fiber

[@andriesscheper2022]

Few years ago I bought a Lava Me Pro carbon guitar. Nice tone and stays in tune. I was told you can use your carbon violin as a paddle (if there are no electronics involved)... but why would you do that! But in the past they made guitars out of turtle shells as well (now forbidden).

[@TheSiegfriedkim]

Thank you for your sharing.How big is your Viola?41cm?or 43cm?

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

i knew that carbon fiber would be the thing for making instruments in 1990. Guitars made of carbon fiber, tend to sound on the high treble side , so people have said 10 years ago. That they lack the warmth of wood. But today the carbon fiber instruments might sound better due to the new technologies of today. i always thought a carbon fiber/ wood combination in the build might be the answer ? Your carbon fiber instrument is very cool looking and sounds fantastic.

[@alexsimper4153]

violas are bigger than I expected, they are like a small cello, or a big violin, or an extremely tiny double bass

[@Brinta3]

Or a very badly designed longbow.

[@ulrikschackmeyer848]

Not a muscician myself. But still a fascitinating story.