For some time it has been apparent that the finding reported previously—namely, that a good sounding instrument of the violin family results when the “tap tone” frequency of the free back plate is a semitone to a tone higher than that of the free top plate—is not the only criterion to be respected in the optimum tuning of violin plates. Ten conventional violas were constructed using mode No. 5, the tap tone of free top and back plates, to determine whether frequency or so‐called damping of this mode in the two plates is the more important for good tone production in the finished instrument. Findings will be discussed and illustrated with Chladni patterns and frequency amplitude curves—and compared to comments of professional violists on the tone and playing qualities of the 10 finished violas.