V. Richelieu Violins & Violas Built by
in Vermont, USA
V. Richelieu™ instruments are crafted in our South Burlington workshop by master luthiers trained at the Chicago School of Violin Making and the North Bennet Street School — using sustainably sourced tonewoods, proprietary oil varnish, and over 80 years of combined expertise.
PRECISION, PERFORMANCE, PERFECTION
Every V. Richelieu™ leaves our Vermont workshop with hand-graduated tone plates, a proprietary hand-applied oil varnish formulated by our head luthier, and a specialized set-up tailored to the individual instrument. These are not production-line instruments.
From a soaring 4/4 violin to an 11″ fractional viola that actually sounds like a viola, every model is built to the same professional benchmark — the one that draws endorsements from symphony directors, conservatory professors, and Meadowmount faculty alike.
THE IMPACT OF OUR INSTRUMENTS ON THE LIVES OF MUSICIANS
Our vision at V. Richelieu has always been to make professional-quality instruments accessible to every player through innovative design, purchase & rental options, and affordable financing.
Explore these personal stories from our customers —from aspiring students to seasoned professionals—to see how finding the right instrument has transformed their musical lives.
CRAFTED FOR EXCELLENCE
Our master luthiers craft every V. Richelieu instrument with premium materials and precision. Experience beautiful sound and effortless playability across all sizes. Even our 11-inch violas provide the rich projection you need to play with confidence.
With every sale and rental, we provide a commitment to quality and a passion for musical excellence. Our luthiers carefully craft and make every instrument right here in the USA.
Own a professional V. Richelieu instrument with ease. Our flexible financing and rent-to-own programs provide affordable paths to ownership.
Every Instrument, Built for Its Player
Hand-split Swiss and Italian spruce tops; Bosnian maple back and sides. Each plate individually graduated by our senior luthiers. Ideal for advancing students through professional soloists.
From $4,995
11″ · 12″ · 13″ · 14″
FRACTIONAL (SMALL) VIOLAS
Modeled after a 16″ viola — not a violin — so your young violist develops true viola resonance from the first lesson. Tertis-inspired proportions, enhanced C string, Evah Pirazzi strings.
FULL-SIZE VIOLAS
A warm, vibrant tonal palette with balanced projection across all registers. Available in standard models and the special Coquille Nation wood edition — FSC-certified bigleaf maple of exceptional figure.
From $6,500
Tonewoods & Materials
Sourced with Care. Played with Passion.
Swiss & Italian Spruce
Our tops begin life in the forests of Switzerland and northern Italy — the same Alpine spruce that has supplied the great violin-making workshops of Europe for centuries. Hand-split for superior stiffness-to-weight ratio, each top is individually assessed before graduation.
Bosnian & Coquille Maple
Back plates, sides, and scrolls are cut from tight-figured Bosnian maple or — in our special editions — from bigleaf maple harvested by the Coquille Indian Tribe in Oregon under Forest Stewardship Council certification. Provenance, not just appearance, drives every selection.
Proprietary Oil Varnish
Our head luthier formulates and hand-applies every coat of varnish. The result is a finish that does not dampen vibration, ages beautifully, and imparts a depth of color that no spray finish can replicate. Each instrument is unique in its coloration.
Sonowood & GaiaTone Fingerboards
V. Richelieu™ instruments carry fingerboards from Sonowood (Swiss compressed spruce and maple) and GaiaTone (100% post-consumer recycled material) — both FSC-certified alternatives to traditional ebony that match its density, beauty, and workability without the ecological cost.
Fine Instruments That Are Good for the Earth
V. Richelieu™ became the first violins and violas in the world to carry FSC certification. That distinction reflects a decade of deliberate choices — about wood sourcing, alternative materials, and manufacturing practice.
FSC® Certified
Forest Stewardship Council certification (FSC-C109137) is the gold standard for responsible wood sourcing. Every tonewood in a V. Richelieu™ instrument is traceable to a certified, responsibly managed source.
Coquille Nation Collaboration
Our sourcing partnership with the Coquille Indian Tribe of Oregon reflects a shared commitment to long-term forest stewardship. Their FSC-certified bigleaf maple provides stunning figure while sustaining a living forest and a thriving Indigenous community.
Just Get Onboard Initiative
Our industry campaign to replace endangered ebony fingerboards with GaiaTone and Sonowood alternatives has been featured in The Strad magazine and adopted by luthiers and schools in Europe and the Americas.
What Players and Teachers Say
"This viola has two distinct features: power and size. It is very rare to find a viola at this size with this much power. The instrument is very well balanced across all four strings — the quality of a professional at the price of an advanced student."
"The 16″ V. Richelieu exhibits a warm, vibrant tone, a nice color palette, comfortable playability, and a consistent sound throughout all registers. I would recommend it to any advancing student who desires a quality instrument at an affordable price."
"I tried their Richelieu fractional violas at the AVS Festival and was so impressed I have been recommending them to my students ever since. They have been a total game changer for me — violas as small as 11″ that actually sound great."
How did V. Richelieu get its name?
One of the most common questions we get asked about our Made in Vermont violins is; “why did we call them V. Richelieu?” (“How do you spell that?” takes a close second).
THE V. RICHELIEU EXPERIENCE
We sent out our instruments for evaluation to some of the leading industry professionals. Find out about their experience and hear how the instrument sounds.
V. Richelieu violins are 100% made in Vermont. Hand-split spruce tonewood is imported from Italy and Switzerland; maple comes to us from Bosnia. Together, these woods form a violin of unique distinction offering fine instrument quality at very affordable prices.
Each instrument is hand-graduated by our senior luthiers. The oil-based varnish is hand painted by an accomplished oil portrait artist. Each instrument is unique, but each offers a tonal quality perfect for the advancing student, conservatory student or professional player.
V. Richelieu viola are 100% made in Vermont. Hand-split spruce tonewood is imported from Italy and Switzerland; maple comes to us from Bosnia. Together, these woods form a viola of unique distinction offering fine instrument quality at very affordable prices.Our child-sized violas are true violas: modeled after a 16” model, scaled down for children. Finally, a fractional viola that actually sounds like a viola! Most small violas are modeled after violins, and the resulting instruments never perform…our V. Richelieu violas sing with the resonance a viola is meant to have: from the soaring highs of the A string to the haunting lows of the C.Each instrument is hand-graduated by our senior luthiers. The oil-based varnish is hand painted by an accomplished oil portrait artist. Each instrument is unique, but each offers a tonal quality perfect for the advancing student, conservatory student or professional player.
V. Richelieu viola are 100% made in Vermont. Hand-split spruce tonewood is imported from Italy and Switzerland; maple comes to us from Bosnia. Together, these woods form a viola of unique distinction offering fine instrument quality at very affordable prices.
Our child-sized violas are true violas: modeled after a 16” model, scaled down for children. Finally, a fractional viola that actually sounds like a viola! Most small violas are modeled after violins, and the resulting instruments never perform…our V. Richelieu violas sing with the resonance a viola is meant to have: from the soaring highs of the A string to the haunting lows of the C.
Each instrument is hand-graduated by our senior luthiers. The oil-based varnish is hand painted by an accomplished oil portrait artist. Each instrument is unique, but each offers a tonal quality perfect for the advancing student, conservatory student or professional player.
We are thrilled to announce our exciting collaboration with the Coquille Indian Nation, a certified Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) manager, demonstrating a distinctive dedication to the enduring link between their forest and heritage. Aligned with our vision for sustainable violin making, the Coquille Nation's thoughtful, long-term harvesting practices reflect our shared commitment. We recognize their forests as a dual legacy and vital income source supporting community services. Join us in embracing a harmonious approach, seamlessly blending cherished materials with more abundant alternatives for sustainable violin crafting.
Top quality, perfectly dried, maple tonewood is currently available for sale to luthiers and violin makers through this website. Coquille Nation maple is highly flamed big-leaf maple offering stunning sound and beautiful presentation.
Unveiling the Da Salo Model Viola: Where Timeless Elegance Meets Unrivaled Sound
This viola has a 15.5” back seam, but a string length of a 15” viola….creating a larger sound on a viola scale that is exceptionally easy to manage!
The Da Salo Model Viola is a masterpiece of craftsmanship that pays homage to the legendary Italian viol maker, Gasparo da Salo. Impeccably designed and meticulously constructed, this extraordinary instrument embodies the essence of classical beauty while delivering an unparalleled musical experience.
Immerse yourself in the rich tones and captivating resonance of the Da Salo Model Viola. Each instrument is meticulously handcrafted by master luthiers who have dedicated their lives to perfecting their art. Every detail, from the selection of the finest tonewoods to the precision carving and shaping of the instrument, has been thoughtfully considered to ensure exceptional playability and tonal quality.
The Da Salo Model Viola stands as a testament to the timeless traditions of Italian violin-making. Inspired by the legendary Gasparo da Salo, an iconic figure in the history of stringed instruments, this model captures the essence of his legendary craftsmanship. The Da Salo Model Viola carries forward the tradition with a blend of authenticity and innovation, fusing centuries-old techniques with modern advancements in instrument construction.
Crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail, each Da Salo Model Viola is an individual work of art. The top is made from carefully selected spruce, while the back, sides, and scroll are hand-carved from premium maple. The varnish, meticulously applied by hand, enhances both the instrument's visual appeal and tonal characteristics, allowing for a well-rounded and expressive sound.
The Da Salo Model Viola is not only visually stunning but also offers exceptional playability and responsiveness. Its balanced tonal palette provides a wide range of expressive possibilities, allowing musicians to explore their creativity and convey emotions through their music. From the warm and sonorous lower register to the vibrant and singing upper register, this instrument exhibits remarkable versatility and projection.
Whether you are a professional musician, a dedicated student, or an avid collector, the Da Salo Model Viola is a true treasure that deserves a special place in your musical journey. It embodies the soul of centuries of violin-making tradition while embracing the needs of contemporary players. Experience the beauty and power of this remarkable instrument and discover a new world of musical possibilities.
Embrace the legacy of Gasparo da Salo and let the Da Salo Model Viola elevate your musical expression to new heights. Prepare to embark on a journey of sound and immerse yourself in the captivating allure of this extraordinary instrument.
AVAILABLE AT THESE FINE SHOPS
If you are close to these shops, we encourage you to visit them.
Call or email them for an appointment to see the V. RICHELIEU™ instruments!
Try a V. Richelieu™ Near You
Blackerby Violin Shop
Brobst Violin Shop
Claire Givens Violins
Denver Violins
Huthmaker Violins
Mt. Airy Violins
Voss Violins
M. & R. Weisshaar & Son
Vermont Violins
PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED FRACTIONAL VIOLAS
Our violas are designed to provide young, passionate violists with an instrument that is a fractional viola, not a modified violin. The wider lower bouts draw out more sound and depth for the lower end of the range than the more common Strad pattern. The slightly shorter string length is proportional to a 16” viola string length rather than a full-size.
SPECIALIZED SET-UPS
The set-ups are designed for dedicated players. High quality, Aubert bridges are carved for each instrument. Wittner geared pegs facilitate tuning and prevent slipping and sticking pegs under the variety of playing conditions students experience. Professional strings, typically Evah Pirazzi, are used. Soundposts are adjusted specially to each instrument to maximize balance and ringing tones.
FLEXIBLE PROGRAM: RENT OR PURCHASE
The V. RICHELIEU™ instruments are available for either rent or purchase. The rental program provides flexibility through either a 3, 6, or 12 month renewable contract which includes a Pernambuco bow and Bam or Revelle case. Optional damage waivers are available. Instruments may be purchased and later traded in toward another Richelieu, or an instrument of greater value by students as they grow or advance in level.
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Announcing Our New V. Richelieu Website:
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