New shoulder (collarbone) rest

Edited: February 3, 2026, 3:03 PM · I have migrated away from using a bracketed shoulder rest, mostly because I was never sure if it was aligned properly.

More recently, I've put on a Flesch center mount chin rest, which fills a lot more of the space between my jaw and collar bone. For the other bits, which are really more about providing insurance and peace of mind when shifting down, I have a medium-gauge Acoustifoam-- sold by a sole proprietorship in Pasadena CA. It has very little contact with the instrument, and allows enough movement to get some really nice resonance. And I am no longer tempted to raise my left shoulder and make it tight.

[Note-- the website seems to be malfunctioning today. I hope she is OK. E-mail contact is avantiensemble [at] aol [dot] com.

But this is a black art. Do what works.

February 3, 2026, 6:11 PM · I’ve been playing for a couple of weeks with my teacher’s Korfker Luna. I like that it folds, and the shape is fine. I will be buying one.

My teacher has tried ALL the different rests. His regular Korfker suits him the best and doesn’t mute his violin. You’re in good company.

February 4, 2026, 9:27 PM · I normally use either a Xero sponge or a polypad.

February 4, 2026, 10:09 PM · Stephen, I have the same chinrest on both of my violins. I cannot play on a Guarneri style chinrest, which was what they came with.

February 4, 2026, 10:52 PM · Glad you found something that works for you, Nickie. I've been impressed with the Korfker design and how grippy and secure it is on the instrument.

For me though, I've never been able to make a go of playing with a shoulder rest...nothing against them, just can't make that type of support work for me.

I currently use a Rufty Tufty leather pad (Shar carries them), which provides nice padding against the collarbone and some nonslip contact under the instrument. It attaches via the end pin and comes with elastic to attach to a corner. I use a sidemount chinrest (Götz), extral tall for my long neck!

February 5, 2026, 12:41 AM · I use a Korfker Luna on my main violin, a wooden Korfker Model 2 (I bought it first) on my backup violin, and a Korfker Luna on my viola. They really are the best shoulder rests that I've tried at this point, except for maybe the Dolfinos system, but that thing makes the Korfkerrests seem fairly priced. At some point, I'd like to buy another Luna for my gig/teaching violin at some point, but that will have to wait. I'm still not completely satisfied with my chin rest, though. I've been using a Guarneri for a bit, but after a few months of it, I think I'm going to go back to my Wave Da Capo or try something else. Maybe I'll bite the bullet and try the Korfker Spring since the shoulder rests have worked so well for me. It's definitely not cheap either, though, so I think I'll start with my Wave or some of the cheaper offerings on the market first.

February 5, 2026, 7:35 AM · Collarbones, shoulders, necks etc are as varied as noses...

February 8, 2026, 9:04 PM · It's great, even better than all the nice ones I have used, *IME and HO*. As long as you set it up to yourself and the way you hold it, honestly has no cons save for the price, which is , all things considered, not horrible for something that may well last you forever. Sturdy, lightweight plastic, and indeed it affects tone, for bette or worse. But the most important part is the one closest to not having one (I do rest part of the violin on the collarbone as well, while using it, just like I do with most of the shoulder rests I like.)

Fairly convinced that my SR tests are over, as I love th Luna so much. No Dolfinos will be able to lure me, unless given one for free. It's just an excellent shoulder rest, at least for my personal use.