American Viola made by Joseph Curtain, "Ultralight"

Joseph Curtin Studios is devoted to violin-making, acoustical research, and the ongoing evolution of violin-family instruments. Mr. Curtain collaborates extensively with a network of scientists, researchers, designers, and craftspeople. The “Ultralight” viola weighs less than a traditional instrument for the same reason a Formula 1 car weighs less than your car: PERFORMANCE. Low-density woods and state of the art acoustical design give the Ultralight a malleable voice of operatic intensity. To play one is to be heard. Need to blend in? A set of magnetically attachable micro-mutes allow you to incrementally mellow the timbre to best fir the particular ensemble, or particular piece of music, or to simply avoid tiring your ear during long hours of practice. Fully Adjustable: The musician can change the string-heights above the fingerboard in seconds by inserting a key into the base of the neck. You can just as easily change the centering of the fingerboard beneath the strings. These and other innovations allow you to keep your Ultralgiht in optimal adjustment even when you are a continent away from the nearest violin shop.