New shoulder rest from Pirastro coming out, Korfkerrest Luna

[dpappas]

I'm not sure if this is allowed on the forum, but I'm certainly not selling these so it might be okay.  I saw Pirastro has a new model of their Korfkerrest line, the Luna.  I love my Model 2, and can't imagine playing without it, so a collapsable one, that's slightly less expensive, is cool to see.  Thoughts?

 

https://www.pirastro-shoulderrests.com/en/korfker-rest-luna-features/

 

 

[henrypeacham]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I also adore my Korfker 2, but it barely fits in the Musafia. Looks like the Luna is a great alternative.

[GoPractice]

Super shallow response.

Promising? So glad that the product is evolving.

Generally, I am very pro- wood shoulder rests. From what has been tried the VLM, Diamond, Bravo, etc, "sound" better and they are wood. My back up is a wooden Mach though the curve does not agree with my shoulder but the play- ability is better when used. As I have said before, for strange, hyper- shifts, the shoulder rest holds the instrument in place. accuracy is improved.

I have the Korfker ( ver 1?, ) and it may not sound any better than when I play without a rest. But I have also played without a shoulder rest for 3 decades, having played with a rest for decades before. Because it makes some playing more secure, it is worthy of adopting, but I notice it being there, while playing without the rest offers the greatest flexibility. These comments appear to be obvious, ... not sure yet to adapt. Teaching the old dog, not that I deserve to be a dog. For viola playing, there are too many sizes that are being used to be practical currently. But on my primary viola, the use ( borrowed ) of the Korfker sounds better to me, but out in the hall apparently it sounds better without.

So, after trying ( future tense ) the Rondos and the Dynamos ( God willing ) the Luna will be tried. I usually argue that changing of strings is better than the changing of an existing shoulder rest. Younger students improve so quickly. I have not improved since 1931.

Except for the cost, this might be a breakthrough product that takes 2 decades to adopt. The Luna appears to be promising, but perhaps... for my female students? Urgh... Most of the men that are coached are less accurate and muscle through playing, much like how I play.

Someone needs to create a "Korfker" for cello.

[kyproset]

The new Luna is being extensively discussed on Violinist.com

https://www.violinist.com/discussion/thread.cfm?page=6297

[GoPractice]

On 4/1/2023 at 2:59 AM, kyproset said:

The new Luna is being extensively discussed on Violinist.com

 ( ... )

What is your observations for those here? I love the other site as it feels local.

I have trouble with those who bring up double blind testing, when there are obvious benefits for fit. Fit will make us the better player. Frankly, if I can not deliver the notes on the page, it does not matter how it sounds. Also there are those who can not currently hear the difference. And on this site, many are just interested in the value.

If the notes are there, then the sound matters. For your particular body type, on your premium set up, which sounds better on what pieces? The pianist I work with tends to dislikes how I play with the rest. She does not articulate too much. So I have to learn how to use the rest better...

The Korfker is a very important product. I like it. I want some players, especially some young women whom I work with, to use it. And I loan out my single unit. Will there be a point of critical mass where adoption becomes normalized? Perhaps with the Luna.

Currently, I have to figure out how to get the greatest tonal range while using any instrument when necessary. For most pieces, the Korfker can be delightful. There's not much I love. The Mach, though for my body, resting on ( perhaps a single ) part of the collarbone, sounds more clear and can not tell why.

[germain]

"If you cannot play without a shoulder rest - take up the cello" Heifetz

[Just Sayin’]

5 hours ago, germain said:

"If you cannot play without a shoulder rest - take up the cello" Heifetz

That may explain why his vibrato was only of one speed. So dated now.

[henrypeacham]

I have both. The Korfker 2 is infinitely more adjustable if that is required. The Luna fits more comfortably in the case storage area (Musafia).

The Luna perhaps could use an additional set of click-system legs for wider-backed violins.

I have tried many shoulder rests over the years. Owing to the lack of weight, construction materials and increased security of the fit, IMHO the sound and resonance either Korfker affords is superior to all others. Super comfortable. Too bad the price-point may place them out of reach for many. On the other hand higher quality usually costs more.

I'll be at NAMM this week and shall be visiting the Pirastro booth. Would be happy to ask any particular questions or share any comments Maestronetters may have.

[germain]

5 hours ago, Just Sayin’ said:

That may explain why his vibrato was only of one speed. So dated now.

Oh please... Learn to play without a shoulder rest is the point here. Not wether you like Heifetz

[Altgeiger]

13 hours ago, germain said:

Oh please... Learn to play without a shoulder rest is the point here. Not wether you like Heifetz

I think what you mean to say is, "Learn to play… is the point here."  There are lots of good ways to hold the violin, and they all work just fine if you learn how to use it and your body correctly.  I've heard this argument about shoulder rests here since Kevin Huang was having his enjoyable flamewars, and lots of violinists who play better than most of us here have had full careers with and without shoulder rests in the mean time.

One of my early teachers (a shoulder-rest user) had a story.  She was frustrated with her setup, experimenting with different chinrests and shoulder rests without satisfaction.  As she was putting on a new chinrest one winter day, her father came in wearing his big fur coat, scarf, and hat, took her violin from her hands, and proceeded to play beautifully and with great assurance.  He handed it back to her without a word.

As long as your setup doesn't force you into unworkable positions, it's fine if you learn to play in a way that respects the limits of your body.  And no matter what your setup, you'll injure yourself if you don't.

(But at my age, and as long as I've heard these arguments, shouldn't I have the sense not to get in the middle of them?)

[violinnewb]

Woah....$400 for a shoulder rest....that is pretty serious hardware,  I am so tempted but my wallet says "hell no."

[henrypeacham]

The Pirastro “Luna” under discussion is advertised at Thomann for much less than $400. Currently sold out….

$199

 

[violinnewb]

9 minutes ago, henrypeacham said:

We’re discussing the Pirastro “Luna”. It’s advertised at Thomann for much less than $400. Currently sold out….

$199

 

Sorry.  I am not sure where I saw $400 but I swear I did.  I just looked on Thomann and the Luna (wood) is over $199.  More like $270.  That is still alot of money.

Having said all of that, I will say that my wooden Kun Bravo is far superior to the non-wooded Kun shoulder rests and I generally find that most wooden shoulder rests add a little to projection over non-wood.

[violinnewb]

3 minutes ago, violinnewb said:

Sorry.  I am not sure where I saw $400 but I swear I did.  I just looked on Thomann and the Luna (wood) is over $199.  More like $270.  That is still alot of money.

Having said all of that, I will say that my wooden Kun Bravo is far superior to the non-wooded Kun shoulder rests and I generally find that most wooden shoulder rests add a little to projection over non-wood.

I take that back.  Not sorry. LOL.

SHAR and Kennedy both list for $380ish.  I knew I wasn't making stuff up.  Anyways, If anyone wants to gift me one, I would be more than happy to accept! 

[henrypeacham]

56 minutes ago, violinnewb said:

Sorry.  I am not sure where I saw $400 but I swear I did.  I just looked on Thomann and the Luna (wood) is over $199.  More like $270.  That is still alot of money.

Having said all of that, I will say that my wooden Kun Bravo is far superior to the non-wooded Kun shoulder rests and I generally find that most wooden shoulder rests add a little to projection over non-wood.

The Luna is not wood. You may be conflating with the Korfker Model 2 (maple wood) which is $269 at Thomann.

Anyway, you might try one or both before dismissing. Could be surprised. IMHO the sonic, comfort level and build quality difference is quite noticeable when compared with alternative manufacturers shoulder rest offerings.

One reason it is sold out at Thomann we might suspect is because it is actually worth its price. For many professionals cost is often not the primary consideration when considering an item impacting music production.

Here's to hoping your finances rapidly improve to the point you can laugh about making such a purchase! 

[violinnewb]

20 minutes ago, henrypeacham said:

The Luna is not wood. You may be conflating with the Korfker Model 2 (maple wood) which is $269 at Thomann.

Anyway, you might try one or both before dismissing. Could be surprised. IMHO the sonic, comfort level and build quality difference is quite noticeable when compared with alternative manufacturers shoulder rest offerings.

One reason it is sold out at Thomann we might suspect is because it is actually worth its price. For many professionals cost is often not the primary consideration when considering an item impacting music production.

Here's to hoping your finances rapidly improve to the point you can laugh about making such a purchase! 

By no means am I dismissing anything.  I would love to try the wood version.  

Also, its not finances that hold me back as much as it is hesitance to stray that far away from the norm.  I have never paid more than $100 for a shoulder rest and to jump that much higher is shocking for me.  This was the same when I went from Dominant strings to Eva Pirazzi strings.  A lot of hesitation and justification before I made the switch.  

[kyproset]

Gents,

I have the LUNA and 2 Korfkers.

I have actually owned most of the SR offerings out there in my search for comfort and freedom. Never satisfied until the Korfker. The Luna I also have and feel comfortable with it, although not as infinitely adjustable as the Korfker. What the LUNA excels over the Korfker is the ease of adjustability and collapsibility which will easily fit in my two Musafia cases. On the Korfker, one has to experiment to get to the point of absolute comfort and it's not an easy or intuitive task.  I have adjusted a few Korfkers in my orchestra for people who were going to stop using them because they didn't have the time to adjust them. In my opinion, the sound they help produce is. The LUNA, in my opinion, makes a darker sound while the Korfker has more overtones. Not dissimilar, but different, depending on what one wants to enhance in their instrument. The collapsibility of the LUNA is also a welcome plus. Pirastro claims they have experimented with materials to arrive at something that has excellent sonic properties and I believe they have achieved it. 

 

 

[Bill Merkel]

I would like to hear them talk about how they justify the price.  It would be fascinating.  

[kyproset]

3 hours ago, Bill Merkel said:

I would like to hear them talk about how they justify the price.  It would be fascinating.  

I'm just a user of Pirastro products but I'm sure a lot of funds were allocated to the research that has gone into producing the Korfker and the LUNA which has to be compensated. I'm also sure that if they both work in such an excellent manner it's not because of chance or luck.

[Bill Merkel]

On 3/21/2023 at 3:36 PM, dpappas said:

I love my Model 2, and can't imagine playing without it

Have you tried a Kun?  If you have, what does this Model 2 give you over the Kun that lets you imagine playing?

[l33tplaya]

Just returned from NAMM.  Kun will debut, in a few months, a new more adjustable shoulder rest that is more like the a hybrid of the new Pirastro, and the very old (Wille)- Wolf that was like a trapeze for a giant rubber band. It consists of a narrow pad, IIRC, sprung from feet,certainly less wide than a standard Kun, and the feet are on a double set of rails on which they can slide (or lock).  Extremely light weight. No idea about the price.  Though interestingly, I found the Solo model to be the most comfortable of the ones they had at the booth.  The new one was just for show- they had only the two prototypes, no picture allowed. I like my Korfker, but I imagine the new Kun will give the Luna a run for its money.  I am guessing the Kun will be at the top end of most rests, $125. or under, versus about double for the Luna. (Wished I'd taken more notes).

[Navyasw02]

How does it compare tonally to the VLM DIAMOND?

[Just Sayin’]

Last night's soloist from USC for the Barber Concerto had the Korfker Model 2.

In asking about it they gushed about the sonic improvement and increased security.

The Luna for my use because it more easily fits in a Musafia. 

[l33tplaya]

To me, the VLM Diamond looks a lot like a Kun model - don't remember which one - or maybe it's all the "overseas" knockoffs. That prototype Kun that I saw looks nothing like other Kun models, nor the VLM.  The prototype has 2 thin rods suspended over the actual part going on the shoulder, and the feet appear to be adjustable over the entire range, as they are screw clamped to the rods.  The shoulder portion is moldable, like the Pirastro's. Very light weight, and has very adjustable feet that float off the pad. 

Edited April 17 by l33tplaya
accuracy and looked up VLM diamond

[kyproset]

On 4/15/2023 at 10:44 PM, Bill Merkel said:

Have you tried a Kun?  If you have, what does this Model 2 give you over the Kun that lets you imagine playing?

Before trying the Korfker I was using a Kun Bravo for decades and also had the Diamond for a while. Both have curves that do not agree with my shoulder while the Korfker is adjustable in this department and can be made to fit perfectly.