RE: JBL Viola Case: Big enough for a Tenor!

Most of the higher end instruments aren't sold with cases, most of the time they are handed down and traded, and don't have a specific case that goes with them. The musicians match a case that suits what they need.

The tenor and the alto violas (the alto is the "regular" one) were common before the end of the Baroque era of music (before 1800's)... well, the tenor started fading out closer to around 1700s... the music of the earlier periods had five parts (compared to the later 4 parts of 2 violins, viola, cello)... 2 violins, 2 violas, cello/bass which had a fat harmony basis. It was (and is) awesome, but the more Italian model of 4 parts took over... flashy violin parts and all of that sort of thing...

The string instruments have an ideal string length (and bod volume) for their pitch... the violin and cello are spot on, but the viola would need to be significantly larger (due to the lower pitch compared to the violin)... roughly half a cello size, but that would be impossible to hold and play in the manner of a violin (on the shoulder). So, the violas are already small compared to what they should be...

... the tenor and alto violas have the same tuning, but due to the larger size and volume, the tenor has a fuller more complete sound compared to the alto. It is a pain in the arse to play, and I deliberately limit my playing time on it to no more than 15 minute stretches to avoid injury... even with an adjusted left-hand technique! But the sound... worth it!

Many of these instruments from the period were cut down to a smaller size... a fate that also happened to many cellos and bass violins from the time. There was also a good deal less standardisation of sizes as you moved away from the violin down the violas and celli.

Okay, I'm going to stop the information spew now... have to prepare a presentation for later today!

TL;DR: Same pitch, more fat-arse resonance and fuller tone!