The world’s lightest shoulder rest (violin model 32 grams, viola model 40 grams)
First shoulder rest using bendable tonewood adjustable to the shape of the shoulder
Offers extensive and very precise personal modifications of position, height, and tilt
Brings out a much wider dynamic range from the instrument
Allows a richer diversity in articulation
Finer variations in string contact can be felt
Minimal use of rubber improves sound characteristics
Designed to complement the timeless beauty of the violin
NEW in Model 2
Now comes with the ErgoPack, which allows even more adjustments
Optimized rubber feet provide exceptional security with an unmatched adhesive grip
Improved rubber pads increase comfort and durability (4 replacement pads included)
Now also available for viola
Freedom of sound
The PIRASTRO KorfkerRest® uses many of the technologies found in the PIRASTRO KorfkerCradle®. Bendable maple and redesigned sleek and ultra light rubber feet redefine the classic shoulder rest. The result is an extremely lightweight (violin model 32 grams, viola model 40 grams) and comfortable rest that lets the violin sound more freely than any other traditional rest or cushion on the market today. Only its bigger brother, the PIRASTRO KorfkerCradle® can give the player more freedom of sound and expression.
Every violinist knows the violin is a very sensitive instrument and it is no wonder that adding a shoulder rest weighing up to 200 grams made with large amounts of rubber, plastic or metal will have a significant effect on the sound a violin produces. In recent years violinists have become increasingly aware of this problem and together with Berent Korfker, Pirastro decided to address this issue with the design of the PIRASTRO KorfkerCradle®. In the last stage of the development of the PIRASTRO KorfkerCradle®, it was a logical consequence to add a traditional model shoulder rest to our line in order make those innovations in sound and comfort accessible to more violinists.
Apart from its unique attachment system, all technologies used and discoveries made during our years of development of the PIRASTRO KorfkerCradle®, have been incorporated into the PIRASTRO KorfkerRest®. At every step of the way, our panel listened to each instrument without any shoulder rest before and after every sound test of a prototype, choosing those prototypes that offered the least disturbance and best tonal characteristics. In our research, we found there to be 4 main factors influencing how a shoulder rest can disturb the sound of a violin. Although we made many more discoveries, this is what we can share about how we tackled these factors while designing the PIRASTRO KorfkerRest®.
Material composition
The material composition of a shoulder rest has a very significant effect on the sound a violin produces. The use of synthetic materials like plastic and rubber and excessive use of metals lead to particularly unsatisfactory results. After much testing, we decided to produce the bridge of the rest from high-quality tonewood maple made bendable through a purely mechanical process which did not negatively impact on the sound properties of the wood. For the legs, we found a special alloy aluminium which delivered the most neutral sound and least resistance to vibrations.
After testing various high-quality varnishes and observing their significant impact on the sound, we started a long search for a sound-neutral varnish which took us deep into the field of chemistry in cooperation with an international laboratory. The varnish we discovered allows the wood complete freedom and does not color the resulting sound spectrum.
Weight
Reducing the weight of the design was another important goal. As the main part of the rest was made from maple tonewood, we started off with an advantage. To further optimize its weight without compromising its stability we designed the legs to be sleek but extremely stable before choosing the hardened lightweight aluminium alloy.
The rubber pads on the shoulder rest have been kept as thin and light as possible to avoid sound absorption.
Attachment
The ideal material composition and light weight of the rest allowed us to pursue a good connection between the rubber feet and the violin. Full contact with the instrument made the feet more resistant to sliding during the performance. Importantly this contact only affects the very edge of the violin outside the purfling, resulting in less influence on the sound of the violin and elegant, pleasing design.
In order to further minimize their weight, the feet use the same lightweight aluminium alloy as the legs, a minimum of rubber and a special composition polyamide guaranteeing minimal damping and maximum sound articulation. As a result, the feet are an amazing 40% lighter than the lightest feet on the market without loss of stability.
