[1] The quinton was an hybrid between the violin (structure of the body, f-shaped holes), and the viol (sloped shoulders, wider fingerboard with seven adjustable frets).

The quinton was invented around 1730, as reaction of French luthiers to the increasing popularity of the Italian violin.

Like the violino piccolo, it was intended to play higher voices, with a better sound in the upper register while full-bodied in the lower one.

Many celebrated French luthiers, among them Jacques Boquay, Claude Boivin, Augustin Chappuy, Jean Colin, François Gaviniès, Paul-François Grosset, Louis Guersan, François Le Jeune, Jean-Baptiste Salomon, built quintons.

Modern copies are built for specialists of baroque music and historically informed performance.