Which Shoulder Rest Should I Use?

Edited: November 22, 2023, 5:02 PM · To re-attach the foam, try neoprene glue.
You could erven smear a fine layer of this glue onto the rest's feet and let it dry to make them slightly gummy.

The Bravo is heavier than the Original Kun, but the shape is practically the same. The wood looks nice.
The Luna seems to have a similar shape but is lighter.
With the Korfker, you pay a fortune for the oportunityy to shape it yourself

Edited: November 22, 2023, 7:54 PM · Adrian, Korfker is a fortune? Luna is 239€, Korfker is 329€. Either both cost a fortune, or none of them do.

Pirastro Korfker is worth it if you have a good violin.
Kun is very cheap quality, it slides and doesn't hold its angle, etc. Once upon a time I had a Kun Bravo that broke a foot.
Viva la Musica has different models like Diamnond, Professional and Artist. Nothing like experimenting and see which one fits your body better. They are more secure on the violin that the Kuns, all made of wood and very solidly constructed.

November 22, 2023, 8:08 PM · Shoulder rests do wear out from years of use. If you've had your current Kun for a long time and you find it comfortable, just buy a new one, no need to change models. More expensive shoulder rests are often more adjustable and made from higher quality materials, but if you find the Kun standard comfortable, just stick with it. Choose shoulder rests for comfort above all else.

November 22, 2023, 9:02 PM · @Ella - Amen! No one can tell another person which shoulder rest to buy.
The choice depends on the too many factors unique to the individual. You need to go to a luthier and try a bunch to see which ones work. However, if you like your current rest, just buy a new one. As they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

November 22, 2023, 9:33 PM · My kids play a lot, so it may not be comparable for everybody, but I used to have to replace basic Kun or Everest shoulder rests about every 2 or so years. Yes, you can get replacement parts, but after awhile everything is just kind of shot.

Having said that, my daughter uses the Kun Bravo with her viola and likes it more than most other rests. My son uses the KorfkerRest and really likes it a lot -- but it took him a year to get it adjusted correctly. It really is worth the money, but very hard to adjust. He has now had it for quite a number of years without any issues other than needing to be retightened occasionally. The Luna is not quite as versatile in its adjustments, but it is much easier to adjust from what I know. We are eagerly waiting for it to come out for viola for my daughter.

If you are a serious player with a nice instrument, the Pirastro KorfkerRests are worth the very high cost. They don't disappoint. But they aren't necessary -- there are many other options that do almost as good of a job for much less.

November 23, 2023, 1:25 AM · In my personal experience, I find that the feet on the Kun wear out much faster than the rest of the shoulder rest, so having to replace the feet once every 2-3 years is pretty typical for me. That said, I have not kept track. I've never had problems with the foam peeling off or anything like it, but at that point, you should probably just replace the whole thing anyway.

November 23, 2023, 4:01 AM · You might at least try:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adjustable-Violin-Shoulder-Rest-Collapsible/dp/B07PZZK3WF/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?crid=1J3N65V0J5XF3&keywords=violin%2Bshoulder%2Brest&qid=1700733591&sprefix=violin%2Bshoulder%2Brest%2Caps%2C436&sr=8-11-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1
Works perfectly for me.

Edited: November 23, 2023, 6:43 AM · @Ella, don't go there. I a have a Viva La Musica Diamond for a decade and it's still strong as new, doesn't slide. Kun is just cheap and usually gives problems from the start. Especially the plastic ones.

November 23, 2023, 8:26 AM · I don't see mentioned my favorite, the Mach One shoulder rest made by Peter Mach, a luthier in Québec. I have an average-to-long neck and my violin has always tended to slide forward. The Mach One has a "hook" model that rests nicely over my shoulder and gives me much better security. Their regular shape has also worked well for me. It is the only rest I've found that allows me to play without any pressure to grip the violin between my shoulder and chin. Better players may recommend having nothing between your shoulder and violin, but for me this is what works best and allows me to play the most relaxed and comfortably.

Over the years I've tried (listed in order of my personal preference, least to best): the corduroy half-circle pad with straps, foam pad and rubber band, Resonans, Wolf (both Primo and Secondo), Everest, and Kun. The Mach One comes in an inexpensive plastic version, which I liked for years, and also a maple version that I treated myself to a few years back.

It is very satisfying to find a chinrest and shoulder rest that fit your own body and playing.

Thanks to all on this forum who have guided my playing for years. I finally registered to post.

November 23, 2023, 8:36 AM · Search the site for Carlo Ballara's review of the Invisi rest ;-)

November 23, 2023, 10:21 AM · I finally settled on this

https://thearcrest.com/

November 23, 2023, 11:05 AM · In my opinion you must use the "Everest" because that is what I use. Nothing else will do. Happy Thanksgiving!!

November 23, 2023, 11:44 AM · Jean - ditto. The only thing between me and my Bellini is goat peel!

November 23, 2023, 12:05 PM · Paul, is that a joke? Just wondering.

Jacob, that's an interesting observation, thanks. Maybe some day I might try a Viva la Musica or perhaps a Kun Bravo.? We'll see about that. I like the general shape of Kun-type shoulder rests, so I need not veer off too far in another direction. At least for me, the standard plastic Kuns aren't really a problem at all when new. They're pretty stable as long as the feet aren't worn out, and if my shoulder rest starts falling off increasingly regularly, I take that as a sign of worn-out feet.

Edited: December 7, 2023, 4:17 PM · I tried differentmodels of the Mach one as I wanted to try the "hook" over the shoulder, but I found the shape impossible. I stead of curving round in front of my collarbone (which is more reserved for the viola itself..) it curves backwards onto the said collarbone: quite in the way!
I'm glad this elegant rests suit many folks.

I'll try the Korfker II when next months pension arrives!

December 5, 2023, 10:04 AM · After a lot of experimenting, I ended up choosing the inexpensive, very common Everest. I have not tried those expensive options.

December 6, 2023, 12:06 AM · Ron?
Where are you going to get the legs and feet for your proposed DIY rest? I hope you are not considering roadkill…
Cheers,
Buri

December 7, 2023, 11:15 AM · Luna is insanely expensive, but maybe get one and return it if it's not worth it to you.

Edited: December 7, 2023, 4:52 PM · My favorite one is the one used by Heifetz.
For me I have more mobility and a closer connection with the instrument.
I've never lost one yet.
But to each, their own.

Edited: December 10, 2023, 12:47 PM · Heifetz rested his violin on his shoulder, much of the time.
The original shoulder "rest"!!