Jan Szlachtowski (b. 1951, Nowy Targ, Poland) began his lutherie journey in 1970 when his worked under the perspicacious direction of senior Polish master maker Jozef Bartoszk at the Technical College of Violin Making in Nowy Targ. Jan then refined his violin making skills at the William H. Lee workshop in Chicago, where he worked from 1987 to 1988. Since 1988, Jan has been working at the Bobak workshop in Nowy Targ making instruments, honoring the finest of European traditions and models. When making extraordinary violas, Jan will often collaborate with other master makers, notably Andrzej Swietlinkski. Hence, we really love our incredible Polish violas! Have you been frustrated with the double stop exercises in the Carl Flesch scale system volume? Pick up this viola and be overjoyed! The upper bouts are thoughtfully designed to allow you, the violist, to play easefully in the upper positions and tame those double stops. There is no compromise in power, clarity, balance, and expressive range (think an underlying chocolate timbre—It’s there) with this 16” viola. The viola is definitely easy on the eyes with a bold wood grain on the top plate and the body of the viola cocooned in lovely antiquing. If you are looking for that viola to take to the conservatory or enhance your professional career, we hope to see you soon!