Tall chinrests and slim violin cases

Edited: February 22, 2023, 3:50 AM · I've spent a year or two deciding that my preference is for low shoulder rest, high chinrest, so this week I bought a 40mm Teka. I haven't found the ideal padding yet to protect my collarbone and prevent slippage, but the bigger problem is that violin cases are not often designed for high chinrests.

Luckily I have two styrofoam suspension cases, both same model same manufacturer (Hidersine), but different shape, and one of them has the two bow holders out of the way on the violin's right, so that closing it only results in an indentation in the styrofoam, tolerable, but not ideal. The other has a bow holder on the left and one on the right and I can't close the case at all.

Familiar situation to any of you?
I assume Dimitri designs his cases so they will accept all accessories.

Replies (8)

Bo Pontoppidan

February 22, 2023, 11:31 AM · I also use a tall chinrest (a Wave). When I bought my first Musafia case I asked if it would fit (this was a demo case so not custom made). They got the measurements and built a mock up to test the fit! That is customer focus!

Christian Lesniak

February 22, 2023, 11:49 AM · I have a Kreddle and remove it when I put my violin in the case. Not very convenient for most chinrests, but a point in favor of the Kreddle.

Martin McClean

February 22, 2023, 5:00 PM · Hello Gordon, Styrofoam cases are slightly customisable; one that is a little too tight can be made bigger by tapping the inside walls with a hamme. Try opening the case, setting the outside lid against a hard surface and tapping the offending area....just enough to compress the Styrofoam.
I wouldn't chance it on one of Dimitri's masterpieces, but a hidersine case is fair game

Jane Klingsten

Edited: February 23, 2023, 10:31 AM · Negri makes custom cases except the price matches the high end materials they use. Bobelock makes reasonable priced custom cases.

Gordon Shumway

February 23, 2023, 10:42 AM · I have a spare fibreglass case. It's not a great case (Crossrock), but at least the violin fits.

Dimitri Musafia

February 24, 2023, 8:49 AM · A tall chinrest can indeed create problems, whereas slim cases should be avoided altogether as they often provide minimal clearance for the bridge in case of pressure or impact.

If the chinrest is centrally mounted over the tailpiece, generally it will work in most cases because they are generally no higher than the bridge. The padding in the lid may get squished but usually that's not a problem.

If the chinrest is side-mounted (like a Guraneri rest) then it can interfere with the bows and the bow holders, if the latter are over the chinrest. In that event you will almost certainly need a custom-made case.

Michael Pub

March 6, 2023, 10:17 PM · I use the tallest Wave Chinrest that I made even taller with some additional cork. In my cheap styrofoam case I had to remove some styrofoam with a knife. I painted it red and taped the velvet back. It doesn't look too bad.

My other case is a uno et Otto and it fits perfectly.

Gordon Shumway

March 7, 2023, 2:55 AM · hidersine's ultralight styrofoam cases are not at all cheap and nasty. my teacher keeps her 18th century english viola in one (vla100). perhaps it's the thickness of the styrofoam that limits the internal space

This discussion has been archived and is no longer accepting responses.

Tall chinrests and slim violin cases

Replies (8)

Laurie's Books

Subscribe