Scott Cao STA-1500 Viola (Made to order only)

Scott Cao STA-1500 Viola 

FREE GIFTS:  STB-202 Bow ($350) and Scott Cao Oblong Foam Violin Case($90), plus Free Professional Setup — TOTAL GIFT VALUE: $440+
Your viola arrives protected, expertly adjusted, and ready for immediate performance — exactly as Scott Cao intends.

The Scott Cao STA-1500 Viola represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship from the Morgan Hill Studio, created for musicians who demand uncompromising tone and artistry. As an exact copy of a famous instrument, including varnish, the STA-1500 is hand-carved from 10-year-aged Bosnian maple and Italian spruce, combining old-world European tonewoods with the precision and expertise of Scott Cao’s award-winning workshop.

Renowned for its powerful projection, warmth, and tonal complexity, the STA-1500 offers an exceptional range — from deep, resonant lows to bright, singing highs. The hand-applied varnish not only enhances its visual beauty but also enriches the tonal response, allowing the instrument to open up beautifully over time. Every stroke of the bow reveals refined clarity and expressive depth suited for both solo and orchestral performance.

Built for advanced students, professional violists, and discerning collectors, this viola delivers a concert-quality experience that rivals instruments many times its price. Each piece is individually finished, built, and set up in Morgan Hill, ensuring no two instruments are exactly alike. Due to its craftsmanship and limited production, custom orders may take 6–8 months to complete.

Key Features

• Handcrafted from Italian spruce top and 10-year-aged Bosnian maple back & sides

• Finished with exact varnish replication of the original master instrument

• Fitted with Indian ebony fingerboard and boxwood or rosewood fittings

• Built, varnished, and professionally set up in Morgan Hill Studio

• Includes  STB-202 Bow ($350) and Scott Cao Oblong Foam Violin Case($90), — TOTAL GIFT VALUE: $440+

Specifications

Size: Available in multiple sizes
Top: Italian spruce
Back & Sides: Best quality 10-year-aged Bosnian maple
Varnish: Hand-applied replica varnish, built and finished in Morgan Hill Studio
Fingerboard: Indian ebony
Tailpiece & Fittings: Boxwood or rosewood
Strings: Professional-grade setup with tonal optimization
Setup: Professionally adjusted and finished in Morgan Hill Studio
Included Accessories: STB-202 Bow ($350) and Scott Cao Oblong Foam Violin Case($90), — TOTAL GIFT VALUE: $440+