Lawnisg0tmail - Posted - 09/30/2017:  10:08:15

So, I've got a cheap shoulder rest that came with my first fiddle but I'm wondering if it'd be worth it to invest in a new shoulder rest for my nice fiddle. Do they affect tone in any way or does it have more to do with comfort?

Also, should I order online or go to a fiddle shop and see if they'll let me try some rests out? I need new rosin and a set of strings anyway....might be a good idea to get it all done at once

novolis - Posted - 09/30/2017:  10:50:57

amwildman - Posted - 09/30/2017:  11:12:07

Local shop will be more expensive, but will often let you try shoulder rests and chinrests. The caveat is that you will probably not find a well-fitting shoulder rest. They simply don't exist.

Fiddle is non ergonomic to start with, and the shoulder rest is like tying a ribbon on a pig, metaphorically speaking. IMO, just get a basic Kun or equivalent and learn to live with it.

amwildman - Posted - 09/30/2017:  11:13:07

A pad or sponge might affect tone, but the Kun types are all about the same.

novolis - Posted - 09/30/2017:  11:25:07

Chin rests and shoulder rests are essential for good posture. Bad posture can lead to discomfort and injury. Please make sure you play with ease and comfort. If not, try a variety of shoulder and chin rests.

Edited by - novolis on 09/30/2017 11:29:47

Lawnisg0tmail - Posted - 09/30/2017:  11:27:01

quote:

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Originally posted by amwildman

Fiddle is non ergonomic to start with, and the shoulder rest is like tying a ribbon on a pig, metaphorically speaking. IMO, just get a basic Kun or equivalent and learn to live with it.

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Hmmm...you've got a point there. I'm not really tired of my current rest, mostly wanted to know if it would help in any way to buy a better one. Guess I'll stick with my current one (and save 30 dollars)

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 09/30/2017:  16:56:20

I used a Kun for several years and I finally got tired of it falling off each time i put the fiddle down to pluck it. I bought a Bon Musica and found not only did it not fall off the thin metal body could be shaped to the curve of my shoulder and the height could be adjusted to my needs. They are pricey being the drawback. R/

fiddlershop.com/bon-musica-vio...J0GfD_BwE

dnique - Posted - 09/30/2017:  19:00:26

Has anyone here tried the Sure Tone? I'm another one who gets frustrated with my shoulder rest falling off while playing. I'm considering trying the Sure Tone.
suretone-rest.com/

Looking forward to your comments.

davebones - Posted - 09/30/2017:  20:23:58

I got a SureTone last year for my Gianna Violins Appalachian. What I like about it is the variability of configurations in which the velcro covered pads can be arranged. Also, there is no clamping and the bottom of the instrument isn't in contact except around the bottom rim.

I am still trying to customize my arrangement so that is not just good, but perfect. Guys like me with long necks really have to work at finding the answer. Let us know if you get one. The new model uses sticky pads, whereas I have the original with rubber bands.

Rowdy - Posted - 10/01/2017:  07:49:12

Just one old cowboy's opinion...whether you spend five bucks for a padded hockey puck attached to a rubber band or a thousand bucks for the KorfkerRest, almost all shoulder rests have the same design flaw; they were designed for the FIXED shape of someone else's shoulder. You might get lucky with the shape of a given manufacturer, but in many cases you will only find a close fit.  Manufacturers make decisions on the non-adjustable shape of their shoulder rests based on what they are told by individual players who try out their product. The only rests that I have found capable of adjusting to the specific shape of an individual's shoulder is the Bon Musica (about $50 everywhere). The Bon rest has a padded, flexible, adjustable and moveable rest that you personally adjust to the shape of your shoulder. 

If you have finally invested real money in a good a fiddle, is $50 bucks too much to spend to have it actually fit YOUR shoulder? 

P.S. I am retired and receive no compensation for this or any other endorsement.

Jaunskots - Posted - 10/01/2017:  16:23:23

I have to agree with those who recommend a Bon Musica. They are the ultimate for adjustability, security, and comfort. You might as well get one now as later. Kun rests are good quality, of course. I've had my original one for 35 years without complaint or any kind of failure. But the Bon Musica is more secure and more adjustable; that makes it more comfortable. And that makes it easier to play.

Harold

tpquinn - Posted - 10/01/2017:  17:21:16

Another vote here for the Bon Musica. It's the one my instructor uses and he recommended it to me as I was having trouble stabilizing the fiddle between my jaw and shoulder without a whole lot of left hand assistance. Granted it took quite some time to tweak the rest from placement on the fiddle to how it wraps my shoulder, but since I found the sweet spot(s), it has been great.

amwildman - Posted - 10/01/2017:  20:40:34

Well, I bought a Bon Musica a couple years ago, and I don't think it's much of an upgrade.  Sure, it sits on your collar more comfortably, but it doesn't hold the fiddle much better, if at all.  Just like all the other Kun variants, it sits on your collar bone OK, but the whole hook-over-the-shoulder thing is just wonky.  Last I checked, my shoulder went to the left.  Well, the shoulder hook also goes to the left.  A shoulder hook that goes parallel to your shoulder instead of perpendicular simply does not get the job done.  If there were a way to twist the thing around so that it comes out of the fiddle at the 7:30 position I'd give it a thumbs up.  But between that issue and the screw poking me in the chest, I rate it barely better than a Kun.  Certainly not $30 better.

Also, it helps not a whit with my neck pain.

Tobus - Posted - 10/02/2017:  06:34:00

quote:

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Originally posted by amwildman

Well, I bought a Bon Musica a couple years ago, and I don't think it's much of an upgrade.  Sure, it sits on your collar more comfortably, but it doesn't hold the fiddle much better, if at all.  Just like all the other Kun variants, it sits on your collar bone OK, but the whole hook-over-the-shoulder thing is just wonky.  Last I checked, my shoulder went to the left.  Well, the shoulder hook also goes to the left.  A shoulder hook that goes parallel to your shoulder instead of perpendicular simply does not get the job done.  If there were a way to twist the thing around so that it comes out of the fiddle at the 7:30 position I'd give it a thumbs up. 

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I'm assuming you play with your fiddle sticking straight out in front of your chest instead of angling away to the left like a more classical style position?

I have two Bon Musica shoulder rests, and I've had to do a lot of adjustments to them, but I think they work great.  For starters, I don't put them on my fiddles square to the centerline of the instrument.  Looking down from the top with the rest attached underneath, the treble side is gripping the lower bout toward the waist of the body, while the bass side is gripping the lower bout almost at the tail end where it's at its widest.  In fact, that bass side bracket is gripping it almost underneath my chin rest.  So putting it on at an angle helps.  But beyond that, I did a lot of bending and reshaping of the metal, as well as adjusting of the threaded height posts to get it sitting where I want it for a good comfortable chin grip.  I can walk all over the house with my fiddle held up in playing position with only my chin.  It does require angling my fiddle about 45 degrees to my left instead of straight out in front of me.  I didn't like that at first, but it is a lot easier on my neck and my left arm when playing, and now I see why classical violinists have such a drastic left-side angle to their instruments.  I'm only about halfway as far as they are with the angle of my fiddle, but it works with the Bon Musica.

martynspeck - Posted - 10/02/2017:  09:10:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lawnisg0tmail

 

So, I've got a cheap shoulder rest that came with my first fiddle but I'm wondering if it'd be worth it to invest in a new shoulder rest for my nice fiddle. Do they affect tone in any way or does it have more to do with comfort?

Also, should I order online or go to a fiddle shop and see if they'll let me try some rests out? I need new rosin and a set of strings anyway....might be a good idea to get it all done at once

---

I had great results going to a shop and trying shoulder rests and chin rests to get the combination that worked for me. I wound up with a Kuhn rest with the extended screws and the tallest chinrest they had.

They key is to fill up the space between your shoulder and chin so you don't have to bend your neck or strain your muscles. When I'm set up correctly, the shoulder rest is pressing against my breast bone and the fiddle just rests there held in place by the weight of my head with no bending or clenching of my neck muscles or jaw.

As far as tone, I've heard people say they didn't like the tone with a shoulder rest but, at least for me, I found that by moving the fiddle away from my shoulder and with the rest only contacting in 2 spots rather than across the back, I got better tone than without it.

amwildman - Posted - 10/02/2017:  17:27:32

quote:

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Originally posted by Tobus

quote:

---

Originally posted by amwildman

Well, I bought a Bon Musica a couple years ago, and I don't think it's much of an upgrade.  Sure, it sits on your collar more comfortably, but it doesn't hold the fiddle much better, if at all.  Just like all the other Kun variants, it sits on your collar bone OK, but the whole hook-over-the-shoulder thing is just wonky.  Last I checked, my shoulder went to the left.  Well, the shoulder hook also goes to the left.  A shoulder hook that goes parallel to your shoulder instead of perpendicular simply does not get the job done.  If there were a way to twist the thing around so that it comes out of the fiddle at the 7:30 position I'd give it a thumbs up. 

---

I'm assuming you play with your fiddle sticking straight out in front of your chest instead of angling away to the left like a more classical style position?

I have two Bon Musica shoulder rests, and I've had to do a lot of adjustments to them, but I think they work great.  For starters, I don't put them on my fiddles square to the centerline of the instrument.  Looking down from the top with the rest attached underneath, the treble side is gripping the lower bout toward the waist of the body, while the bass side is gripping the lower bout almost at the tail end where it's at its widest.  In fact, that bass side bracket is gripping it almost underneath my chin rest.  So putting it on at an angle helps.  But beyond that, I did a lot of bending and reshaping of the metal, as well as adjusting of the threaded height posts to get it sitting where I want it for a good comfortable chin grip.  I can walk all over the house with my fiddle held up in playing position with only my chin.  It does require angling my fiddle about 45 degrees to my left instead of straight out in front of me.  I didn't like that at first, but it is a lot easier on my neck and my left arm when playing, and now I see why classical violinists have such a drastic left-side angle to their instruments.  I'm only about halfway as far as they are with the angle of my fiddle, but it works with the Bon Musica.

---

You assume wrongly.    I angle my fiddle about 30 degrees to the left, where it feels the most natural.  And I leave my shoulder where it is.  I don't pull it forward to fix the angle.  I have arthritis, and such a move would most certainly cause more joint problems.  Not going to happen. And there is no way I'm going to the full 45 degree orientation that you are using - It puts pressure on my wrist.  So I have the choice between putting strain on my shoulder or strain on my wrist?  Sorry, but I"m not going to jump through fire hoops to make it work just because it's expensive and supposedly versatile.  The device either works with a neutral body posture or it doesn't.  In this case, it doesn't.  

illinoisfiddler - Posted - 10/02/2017:  19:32:44

You might also check out the Wolf shoulder rests, both the Forte and Forte Secundo depending on your neck length. Thought not perfect, the Secundo is pretty much my go-to rest, and I also own a Bon Musica as well as a few Kun Super shoulder rests.