Mat Roop Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 I was just exposed to this shoulder rest on line... in Canada the violin version sells for $499 and the viola for $559. Besides the price, what caught my eye was that it is made with bendable tone wood. https://www.pirastro-shoulderrests.com/en/korfker-rest-features/ Does anyone have experience with it?... how would a player bend tone wood without getting into a shop? Just Curious... Thanks, Mat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daviolin Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 It's very good. You can bend it yourself easily. Once you bend it so the curvature matches where you place your violin, it will be very comfortable. But I like it mainly for the sound, the violin sounds noticeable better in comparison to other shoulder rests that mute the violin, the Korfker really frees the violin. Maybe even more than restless playing, because when playing without shoulder rest, the shoulder and neck can muffle the violin, depending on the person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Brown Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 I have real problems with the price. You have to be kidding me! Ever since the string companies started vacationing with the pharmaceuticals companies..... DLB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daviolin Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 2 hours ago, Dwight Brown said: I have real problems with the price. You have to be kidding me! DLB People make more money in Canada... The price is likely adjusted. Plus the product has to travel overseas from Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat Roop Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 Is it that when you bend the shoulder rest, it stays like as if it were metal? If so, what is it about the wood that makes it stay flexed? has it been treated or cooked in some way to make it bendable? They say it is tone wood..., so my guess is it is maple... and for sure I can't flex maple without it springing right back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daviolin Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 1 minute ago, Mat Roop said: Is it that when you bend the shoulder rest, it stays like as if it were metal? If so, what is it about the wood that makes it stay flexed? has it been treated or cooked in some way to make it bendable? They say it is tone wood..., so my guess is it is maple... and for sure I can't flex maple without it springing right back. It stays. There are videos on youtube where they talk about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeissica Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 I've been using these since they were only $300... lol Both for viola and violin. For me, they are far better than the Kun shoulder rests in terms of fit, the grip of the feet on the instrument, and the incredible light weight. They do take some work to get them adjusted correctly - not only the bend in the wood (many of my friends that use them feel that no additional bending or molding is needed) but getting the legs/feet set just right. Once set, I've found it helpful to also tighten the bolts once in a while that go through the wood to hold the legs in place. I think the wood compresses over time and the bolts can come loose so the legs spin. Checking this once every few months (when changing strings for instance) is more than enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Brown Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 The original ones had to be cooked the newer ones don't as I understand it. I just paid $167.00 for a set of viola strings and they were far from the most expensive. DLB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Brown Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 $399.00 US on Amazon. DLB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davide Sora Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 22 minutes ago, Dwight Brown said: I have real problems with the price. You have to be kidding me! Ever since the string companies started vacationing with the pharmaceuticals companies..... DLB I couldn't resist my curiosity, deciding to ignore the somewhat absurd price and bought one to keep in the workshop. I have to say that most of the time it works very well, it is the lightest on the market (that I know of) and tends to free up the sound a lot. The mechanics are truly carefully conceived, very respectful of the violin, and adaptable to the needs of players. Then, as with all violin accessories, light is not always better, and it happened to me that in direct comparison some violins sounded better with the standard plastic Kun, which costs ten times less. So, if I were a violinist or a violist, I would try it to see how it works on my personal instrument compared to other shoulder rests, before emptying my wallet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat Roop Posted February 19 Author Report Share Posted February 19 The viola rest on Amazon in the us is $478 US which translates to $645CAD... so its cheaper if you order from Canada! https://www.amazon.com/Pirastro-KorfkerRest-II-Viola/dp/B07B5MQG9B/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2UXCL62FP2W1M&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IU_aTn07BuO2hTXPM67bZ6l2p7d2wbZEEoM6Srz1C90.PU9YZEKCH4TQqoEH6VbDeZi06qeL3q2ivmjO70CnZTg&dib_tag=se&keywords=korfker+rest&qid=1708382259&sprefix=kerfker+rest%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 After looking at the videos: How do you collapse it to fit it in a case? It looks like you would need to loosen some screws with an allen wrench every time, and then re-adjust the legs and re-tighten the screws before use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daviolin Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 2 hours ago, David Burgess said: After looking at the videos: How do you collapse it to fit it in a case? It looks like you would need to loosen some screws with an allen wrench every time, and then re-adjust the legs and re-tighten the screws before use? They fit easily unless you have a bad case with tight space. Any oblong case should do it. I have two cases in which it fits both inside and outside the storage compartment. You shouldn't be constantly messing with the screws, it's not practical and not easy to put it back exactly how it was before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey N Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 1 hour ago, David Burgess said: After looking at the videos: How do you collapse it to fit it in a case? It looks like you would need to loosen some screws with an allen wrench every time, and then re-adjust the legs and re-tighten the screws before use? Like a lot of shoulder rests, the Korfker II doesn't collapse, so I just rotate the legs and throw it in the music pocket. Fits fine there. I used a foldable Kun Bravo for many years, but the Kun Bravo's brass fittings keep failing at the hinge, it's heavier, doesn't fit my shoulder as well, and it dampens the sound more. The Korfker is expensive, even on sale, but it's so lightweight, fits me well, and has better sound quality so I personally don't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 Without using the wrench to loosen the screws so the legs can be folded, seems like this would make an awfully large protrusion in a music pocket. Probably wouldn't even fit in the music pocket of some of the cases I have. Maybe they should include a special purse or fanny-pack for transporting it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Jefferson Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 40 minutes ago, David Burgess said: Without using the wrench to loosen the screws so the legs can be folded, seems like this would make an awfully large protrusion in a music pocket. Probably wouldn't even fit in the music pocket of some of the cases I have. Maybe they should include a special purse or fanny-pack for transporting it? One can wear it like a pair of reading glasses around the neck with straps I briefly tried it few years ago remembering it giving a nice boost in tone compared to the pedi I used, the pedi sounded slightly muffled/muted in comparison. I'm seeing it become the shoulder rest of choice for many soloists, gotta give it a try again soon. I'm using Gewa Pure oblong case, which provide plenty of space to accommodate the shoulder rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 24 minutes ago, Casey Jefferson said: One can wear it like a pair of reading glasses around the neck with straps They could even install a little magnifying lens in that central hole to assist with installing strings in the pegbox, or clipping fingernails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daviolin Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 On 2/20/2024 at 7:09 AM, David Burgess said: Without using the wrench to loosen the screws so the legs can be folded, seems like this would make an awfully large protrusion in a music pocket. Probably wouldn't even fit in the music pocket of some of the cases I have. Maybe they should include a special purse or fanny-pack for transporting it? It comes with a branded bag, but it's not needed. Are you serious...? It's just like any other shoulder rest. You can even choose the way you want to put it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 Oh. I wouldn't want the wood part of the shoulder rests contacting any wooden parts of my violin, or the feet sticking up near my bows. Seen too much damage from this sort of thing over the years. If it would fit in a case pocket with the lid able to close all the way, I'd be OK with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 9 minutes ago, David Burgess said: Oh. I wouldn't want the wood part of the shoulder rests contacting any wooden parts of my violin, or the feet sticking up near my bows. Agreed, and I always cringe when I see players do that, and it’s quite common with shaped cases. The rest purse, often attached to a case strap is pretty awkward, but seems to work for some. I do know a few talented players who love them, mostly for the improvement in sound they get while using them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daviolin Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 1 hour ago, David Burgess said: Oh. I wouldn't want the wood part of the shoulder rests contacting any wooden parts of my violin, or the feet sticking up near my bows. Seen too much damage from this sort of thing over the years. If it would fit in a case pocket with the lid able to close all the way, I'd be OK with that. It doesn't come in contact when it has straps. In the beige case it's just a matter of putting a cloth between the shoulder rest and the violin. Also, all these cases have blankets that aren't in the photo and protect the bows from coming into contact with anything. Again, it's just like any other shoulder rest. Here's a picture comparing it to the average sized VLM Diamond: The Korfker has the advantage of being extremely light and soft, very unlikely to do any damage to the neck even if loose inside the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 Won't the legs on that particular VLM Diamond easily pivot inward, making it flatter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daviolin Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 1 hour ago, David Burgess said: Won't the legs on that particular VLM Diamond easily swivel inward, making it flatter? They do, not very easily though, it offers quite a bit of resistance and doing it every day would ruin that in the long run. But I never use the mechanism, there's no need unless you have a student shaped case with limited space. It fits in the storage compartment and in the straps without having to mess with it. I avoid shoulder rests like the Kun Collapsible, the collapsible mechanism gets soft and loose after a year and the shoulder rest becomes less secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Noon Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 "Bendable" and "tonewood" don't seem to go together in my mind. I suppose that the word "tonewood" is there for purely marketing. Good thing I don't use a shoulder rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Pontoppidan Posted February 20 Report Share Posted February 20 It is the best shoulder rest I ever tried (Kun, VLM diamond, Play-on-air, Mach 1, Wolf Forte, Minuhin, no rest - and a bunch of homemade foam rests). I have it both for the violin and the viola. It is very light, never falls off and seems to affect the sound in a positive way (or less negative than other rests). Yes, it is very expensive, but especially the viola version really made playing much less fatiguing so for me it is worth it. It fits inside my Musafia cases - in the violin case there is a strap to hold it under the neck of the instrument and in the viola case it (barely) fits inside on of the long compartments next to the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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