Inside the body of the viola, there are two stickers. One sticker says
A. R. Seidel
Mittenwald OBB
Handmade copy of
Antonius Stradivarius West Germany
This sticker has 1986 written on it.
The other sticker says
Glaesel Shop Adjusted in Cleveland Ohio
and indicates the model number of this particular viola is VA10E, Reg #M7890 and is dated 9-86 which, coincidentally enough, is right about the time I stopped playing.
It’s a 15″ body, so it’s a little bit on the small side for me (a 16″ or 16.5″ would probably be more my size). The edges are a little beat up and there are a couple of thin cracks and a few scratches on the body, but nothing that seems to affect the sound (yet). I’d say the viola has seen its fair share of use and abuse at the hands of many students before falling into my hands.
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http://www.sharmusic.com/
You can try this site for your viola needs. I haven’t used them, but a friend buys her kid’s violins from here.
You can try calling a local high school (if the district has an orchestra program) for a list of local string teachers, who can direct you to local music stores etc.