Va14-06 back.JPG [5/6] Author: Andrew Carruthers Caption: Copy of a 16" Amati Bros. Viola from 1620. I've always been drawn to the geometric purity of Amati instruments. This one with it's rounded top and bottom bouts, slender waist and long delicate corners was particularly appealing. When I considered it as a working instrument it seemed such a practical design that I knew that I would have to try one. There is plenty of bow clearance at the waist. The lower bout is broad, maximising the body volume but without compromising the elegance of the overall form. The top bout is quite small and the rapid drop gives great access to the higher playing positions. On top of all of that the string length is a tonally optimal 377mm (14 7/8") For this instrument I didn't have a one piece maple back like the original so I used the old Amati trick of flipping half the two piece back to make a single diagonal sweep of the figure. I only lightly antiqued the finish in deference to purity of the form.