Viola tone - introduction -- The history of the viola - introduction -- How to evaluate viola tone - as a player -- How to evaluate viola tone - as a listener -- The standard viola -- Is it the wood? -- Arching and thickness of plates -- Adjustment -- Conclusion -- Appendix A: Dimensions of the 1697 Primrose viola -- Appendix B: Dimensions of the author's viola based on the 1739 Camillus Camilli -- Appendix C: Dimensions of the author's viola based on the 1781 Nicola Bergonzi 1781 viola.