I know they're not being made anymore (if I've got that right at least....), but I was wondering about what type of viola I've got! The chap in the shop said it was an 060 going for £140 normally, but that seems to be a Schroetter model and I was told mine is a Paesold. From the company's own website, the basic viola seems to be the PA700 which seems to go for at least twice as much as I was told this afti. It doesn't matter enormously I suppose, but I am curious as to what I have here and what quality of instrument it is. Liz, you any ideas? Anyone else too? Maybe they actually got the brand wrong and not the model?? Any way I can tell for sure?

I think you've probably done quite well for £140. The paesold is a decent intermediate instrument, usually. Good set of strings and a good set up and you'll be on your way.

Mmm, if it is a Paesold, then I have an absolute bargain, I would say! The shop have given me the Stentor II rent then buy deal, totalling £130, but I don't really know if I have a P or an S!! They say it's a P, but then give an S code and price.

Hm, sorry, yes, I see your problem (read more carefully, jane....)

Do you now have it in your possession? Can you see through the F holes - any visible labels?

If it's a Paesold you've got a bargain. If it's the Schroetter 060 then you've been ripped off. They tend to go for 80 - 120 (80ish on ebay and 120 is the list price).

If you can't see through the f holes I think you should probably take it back to the shop and get them to clarify.

Duh, am I a pratt or what?? Yes, I have it here and I looked at the label last night and it says 'Paesold VA060'. Didn't know they did such a model! The only references I've found anywhere of late for Viola start at VA 700 and 400 for violin, but then it's hard to tell when they're not producing anymore. The chap in the shop said they would sell it for £140, but I don't know if that was reduced price given them not making them anymore. They did have a nice one in the window reduced from £800 to £640, but that's well out of my price range just now! Also, as I don't even know how to hold the thing properly yet....!!!

My guess is it's an old model. It's used, I assume? The only other possibility is that Paesold as well as Schroetter has now been taken over, in which case it could be anything. If new it is certainly Chinese, that price is well below trade for even the cheapest German model.

Liz

There is a violin for sale on ebay (american) at the moment labelled 'A. Schroetter Violin, label reads 'R. Paesold, A. Schroetter, 4/4, Model PV060-0'. They want about ?45 for it but there have been no bids.
It sounds as though it is the equivalent violin model to your viola.

Edit: Paesold have used the name A. Schroetter to distinguish those instruments that they have made in China rather than the ones made in Germany.

No, it's not used, it's quite new. Well, they said it was slightly better than a Stentor II and, as I can't tell the difference beyond that my teacher's looks nicer and more expensive than mine as yet, I shan't worry! Just have to learn to play it well, huh?

Thanks for your input Liz, Purple Viola and Meerkat.