Showing posts with label classical music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label classical music. Show all posts

6/19/2012

Mach One 15"-16" Viola Maple Wood Shoulder Rest Review

Mach One 15-16 Viola Maple Wood Shoulder Rest
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
As a violist who has had trouble in the past finding a great shoulder rest, I was so thrilled when I tired the Mach One. The Mach One is very comfortable and stays on well. I highly recommend this rest to everyone.

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This Mac One is ergonomically designed in beautiful maple wood. The "S" shape fits comfortably on your shoulder and minimizes the size of the feet. These are molded from a single piece of maple and have a lifetime guarantee.

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5/31/2012

Generic Poehland Shoulder Pad Review

Generic Poehland Shoulder Pad
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I was really looking forward to getting this, such a big dissapointment! It tilts the Fiddle to a really odd angle and if you play anything faster like a jig, reel or polka (I play Irish fiddle music) it falls off. And its really uncomfortable, way to hard.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Generic Poehland Shoulder Pad

Kidney shaped cloth covered pad which attaches to violin with rubber straps. Known as the Poehland C-model violin shoulder rest. Fits 4/4 & 3/4 size violin or viola.

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5/10/2012

Kun Bravo Viola Shoulder Rest, Standard Review

Kun Bravo Viola Shoulder Rest, Standard
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought the Shoulder rest for my son who is in high School Orchesta, he loves it. I love the price, anywhere else i would have gone would be $90.00 to $100.00., It arrived when it said it would, which was perfect, the day of his concert, Thank You

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kun Bravo Viola Shoulder Rest, Standard

The traditional Kun design made of beautiful maple and finished with polished brass fittings. Comes in a velvet drawstring bag. Fits 15 1/2" and up Violas.

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4/15/2012

Wolf Shoulder Rest Replacement Parts: Rubber Tips (4) Review

Wolf Shoulder Rest Replacement Parts: Rubber Tips (4)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
These are really good, tough and long-lasting rubberized sleeves to fit over the feet of your Wolf or Wolf-style violin or viola shoulder rest. They go on easily, with a little dish-washing detergent. You trim off any overhang. If you have a Wolf-style shoulder rest, you will eventually need these. Mine lasted for 18 months before the first one needed to be replaced.

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Replacement parts for Wolf shoulder rests.

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3/26/2012

D'Addario Pro Arte Violin Strings Set, 4/4 size, heavy gauge Review

D'Addario Pro Arte Violin Strings Set, 4/4 size, heavy gauge
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I thought I'd save some money with these strings, but they are so lifeless
that I'm taking them off. Don't waste your money; you get what you pay for.
I'm going back to Thomastik Dominant.

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D'Addario Pro Arte Violin Strings Set, 4/4 size, heavy gauge

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1/29/2012

Pirastro Wondertone Solo 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge with Loop End Steel E Review

Pirastro Wondertone Solo 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge with Loop End Steel E
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have been an immense fan of Pirastro's strings for over ten years and am always excited to try their new products. Thus, I purchased a set of Wondertones when they first came out a few years ago. But to be honest, I wasn't all that happy with them. Don't get me wrong, they are still better than most every other string that you will find (especially Dominant), but they just aren't quite as good as they could be. They lack the brillance and projection of the Evah Pirazzis or the rich, warm, almost dark tone of the Obligatos or Olivs.
If you are very particular about your violin strings, I would probably spend the extra $20 or so and pick up a set of Pirazzis or Obligatos.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pirastro Wondertone Solo 4/4 Violin String Set - Medium Gauge with Loop End Steel E

Pirastro Wondertone Solo strings offer excellent versatility and outstanding playing characteristics. Wondertone Solo features a new synthetic core modified from Pirastro's leading performers, Evah Pirazzi, Obligato, and Violino strings. The result is nearly no break-in time and exceptional tuning stability. These strings offer brilliant, focused tone with unequalled set harmony and powerful, direct projection.

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1/21/2012

Stretto Humidifier for Violin, Viola and Small Instruments Review

Stretto Humidifier for Violin, Viola and Small Instruments
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I tried this humidifier for my daughter's 1/4 size violin because I couldn't find a small enough dampit style humidifier for her size. This is basically a clam shell style case which opens up to reveal a small package of dry granules. The idea is that you soak the bag in distilled water (I personally used tap water and it worked fine) and it swells up to a nice plump sac of gel which you place in side the clam case. The humidity from the water filled gel should exit through the holes of the case, thus humidifying your instrument. It lasts a long time, maybe a week or two before needing to wet it again. It of course depends on how dry your climate is. Very easy to use. The only problem is , if you have a small instrument case, you will have to figure out where to stick the stretto without causing friction/scratches to your violin. I placed ours near the edge where nothing would contact it.

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Swiss-made Stretto system gradually and evenly releases humidity over time with easy to use microfiber hydration pouches. Perforated container attaches with Velcro to the inside of the case, or store in case pocket.

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12/10/2011

Resonans 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest: Medium Profile Review

Resonans 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest: Medium Profile
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Very well wrapped. It shipped quickly and arrived in perfect shape. It is very easy to open/manipulate and fits my violin just right.

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Resonans shoulder rests have a cushioned pad area, covered with velvet to provide a comfortable, secure contact surface. The feet are covered with surgical tubing to help protect the instrument's finish. The bar and legs can be bent for a better fit.This is the medium profile model fitting 4/4 Violins.

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12/08/2011

Resonans 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest: Low Profile Review

Resonans 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest: Low Profile
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is one of the worst violin shoulder rests ever. My students who come in with this shoulder rest hate it. It always falls off the violin and we spend half the lesson picking it up off the floor. Sure it's cheap, but you will either hate your practice time and put up with it, or you will immediately purchase a more expensive and higher quality shoulder rest. Save yourself the step and buy a Kun, Wolf, or Bon Musica shoulder rest instead. It's best to try it in a store so you can see how it feels with your unique body shape and then shop around online for the best price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Resonans 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest: Low Profile

Resonans shoulder rests have a cushioned pad area, covered with velvet to provide a comfortable, secure contact surface. The feet are covered with surgical tubing to help protect the instrument's finish. The bar and legs can be bent for a better fit.This is the low profile model fitting 4/4 Violins.

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11/20/2011

Presto Carbon Fiber Violin Bow Black 4/4 Size Review

Presto Carbon Fiber Violin Bow Black 4/4 Size
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I thought I was getting my son something special when I purchased this bow for him, especially after reading the glowing description in the Shar catalog. Sure, it is made of carbon fiber, but the manufacturer cuts corners by fitting the bow with synthetic hairs, instead of genuine horse hair. We hated this. The synthetic hairs do not absorb and hold the rosin. My son, who is a very skilled intermediate player and practices about an hour a day, needed to rosin his bow 2 times a day because it would fly off so fast while he was playing his pieces. For goodness sake, his violin looks like its been snowed upon after every practice. The mechanics of the bow were alright, just very chintzy of this company to use synthetic hairs. I can get real horsehair in a cheap $25 bow, but not this bow. Anyway, 2 months was enough to put up with this. He has since moved on to another bow.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Presto Carbon Fiber Violin Bow Black 4/4 Size

The PRESTO is a true carbon-fiber bow, molded and finished by skilled craftsmen. These bows are strong and durable while giving excellent sound and playability. PRESTO bows are perfect for an advancing student who wants the performance of a much more expensive pernambuco bow, or for anyone who needs a high quality second bow. Black finished stick, ebony frog with Parisian eye.

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11/07/2011

Kun Collapsible Mini Brown Shoulder Rest for 1/16 - 1/4 Violin Review

Kun Collapsible Mini Brown Shoulder Rest for 1/16 - 1/4 Violin
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My daughter has been using a sponge shoulder rest for 1 year and recently moved up to 1/4 size violin.
I was hoping to find a shoulder rest that can accommodate 1/4 and 1/2 size so that she can use it for a couple years, but I couldn't find anything decent. So I ended up buying this one because I have a full size (4/4) collapsible one from Kun myself and I am reasonably happey with it.
The design of this one is the same as the full size one. The height of the shoulder rest is adjusted by turning the 2 screws in/out of the base, which is made entirely of plastic. It turns out that even at its maximal height (which is achieved by unscrewing the 2 screws as much as possible before they fall off the base), it is still not enough for my daughter whose neck is considered average or slightly longer than average if I look at kids in her class. I suspect many kids who try to use this with 1/4 violin may face similar problem. We end up wrapping a piece of cloth around the foam and still use it. The real problem is that when you have to use it at its maximal height, you have 2 metal screws into a plastic base in the minimal number of turns (to achieve the maximal height). Under this condition, a lot of stress is applied to the threads (out of the plastic base) which is going to wear out very soon. So the durability is questionable. In contrast, the full size one that I use have very long screws. So at least 1/3 of the screws are seated in the base, which reduces the wear of individual threads. I guess Kun can't use really long screws for this miniature model because the plastic pieces where the screws seat are much smaller than those in the full size one. That is the fundamental limit of the design when you try to make a shoulder rest to accommodate a wide range of violin sizes and kids with different neck length.
The bottom line: if you are buying this for 1/16 to 1/8 size of violin, it should be fine.
If it's for 1/4 and your kid has an average or long neck, you might want to consider the original Kun that is not collapsible but designed to accommodate 1/8 to 1/4 size violin.
If you intend to buy it and use it for a few years, I am not sure it will last.


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The Kun Collapsible Mini Brown Shoulder Rest for 1/16 - 1/4 Violin is a favorite with children! This model is brown and it is available in other fun colors. It features a comfortable contoured bar with foam padding. It is height and angle adjustable and the legs fold flat for compact case or pocket storage. This great little brown shoulder rest fits 1/16 - 1/4 violins.

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11/01/2011

Play on Air Deluxe Shoulder Rest: Fits 1/2-4/4 Violin Review

Play on Air Deluxe Shoulder Rest: Fits 1/2-4/4 Violin
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Play on airs are junk. They wouldn't be quite so bad if not for one major design flaw: they require air. This means that they either pop or deflate after extended use. You're basically paying $22 for a beach ball.
These shoulder rests are designed to provide a little bit of padding and support for those with shorter necks. But you know what could do that same job AND not deflate? A sponge. Better yet, go to a fabric store and get get some furniture padding. It costs $4 for 2 feet. Use a bread knife to cut it up. That stuff works really well and will last for years if necessary.

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Well made and comfortable air-filled cushion.Pear shaped for full coverage.

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10/15/2011

Thomastik Infeld Red Series 4/4 Size Violin Strings (4/4 Size Set) Review

Thomastik Infeld Red Series 4/4 Size Violin Strings (4/4 Size Set)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
These are great strings. I suppose it all depends on the instrument. I have a single-back, $4000-ish violin. Certainly not a strad, but not a garage-sale model either. The Dominant strings made it really bright, almost obnoxious. I didn't really understand what I didn't like about the violin until I put these strings on. Now, I sound like a pro. The strings are well balanced, especially going from A to E. I can get a variety of tones from the instrument. I especially like the darker tone. All-in-all, I'm really happy with these strings.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Thomastik Infeld Red Series 4/4 Size Violin Strings (4/4 Size Set)

There are two kinds of E strings. The gold-plated E strings are manufactured using a special process, which considerably improves their performance and sound in relation to conventional gold-plating methods. The 'silver' E strings are galvanised, which allows their sound characteristcs to come to the fore unimpaired. The rest of the strings have a composite core, which fulfills all the functional characteristcs expected of a great string. The first winding of the string consists of a alloy which actually occurs in Nature, which is why it is designated as 'Natural Alloy'. Already centuries ago this type of alloy was regarded as having special properties. The G string is wound in pure silver, assuring optimum density. The A and D strings are wound with an alloy called hydronalium, which makes for good bow contact and excellent balance between bowing noise and resultant string sound.

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9/23/2011

Glaesel Cleaner/Polish For Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass 2-Oz. Review

Glaesel Cleaner/Polish For Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass 2-Oz.
Average Reviews:

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I bought this polish when I first started the violin and being, well, stupid, I used way too much polish than necessary. Later I found out you only need about one drop for the whole body. It lasted me (including when I used to use overkill amount) one year using it usually once a week and I still have some left. I think it is worth the buy and the price is reasonable. I hope that this helped you.

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Polish for stringed instruments.

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7/26/2011

Kun Collapsible 3/4-1/2 Violin Shoulder Rest Review

Kun Collapsible 3/4-1/2 Violin Shoulder Rest
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My son, age 12, likes this shoulder rest better than any of the others we have tried. The fact that it is collapsible makes it easier to store and keeps it from getting broken at school.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kun Collapsible 3/4-1/2 Violin Shoulder Rest

A long-time favorite of students and professionals, Kun Collapsible shoulder rests provide the same firm yet comfortable frame, with dense rubber padding as the Original Kun, but feature folding feet for easy storage. Noted for comfort and stability, all Kun rests feature fully adjustable for height and width, with patented locking mechnism which ensures the rest will not touch the back of the instrument. Available for 4/4, 3/4-1/2, and 1/4-1/8 violin.

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7/05/2011

Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest Review

Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I don't always use a shoulder rest, but this one is good when I'm playing in a seated position. I still can't quite get it adjusted perfectly, but my doctor says I have weird shoulders. Oh well. It keeps my left shoulder from aching after playing for an hour or two. Good quality, serviceable shoulder rest. I'd give it 5 stars if I could've adjusted it to fit "just-right".

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest

A long-time favorite of students and professionals, Kun Original shoulder rests provide a firm yet comfortable frame, with dense rubber padding for comfort and stability. Fully adjustable for height and width, with patented locking mechnism which ensures the rest will not touch the back of the instrument. Available for 4/4, 3/4-1/2, and 1/4-1/8 violin.

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6/28/2011

Players Economy Foam Violin Shoulder Pad; 1/4-1/8 Violin Review

Players Economy Foam Violin Shoulder Pad; 1/4-1/8 Violin
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
this violin sponge was perfect to help make my sons' 1/8 violin more comfortable while retaining proper form. the price can't be beat, however i did wait almost a full month (28 days to be exact) for my sponges to arrive. had i known this in advance, i would have purchased sponges from a brick and mortar store and paid 2x what amazon is selling these for because i needed them a little bit sooner than that.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Players Economy Foam Violin Shoulder Pad; 1/4-1/8 Violin

Basic economy foam pad provides excellent support and padding for beginning players. Made of comfortable open cell foam, and comes in three sizes to accommodate most sizes: 4/4-3/4, 3/4-1/2, and 1/4-1/8. Attaches to the instrument with rubber bands (not included).

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