Is This TITANIUM Tailpiece Good for Your VIOLIN ?

I compare a high-Tech StradPet titanium tailpiece with a traditional boxwood tailpiece.
Lena Yokoyama, a Cremona based violinist plays the two versions and the result is ear opening.
The Stradpet Tailpiece is available on Amazon:
amzn.to/41nxIno
After you subscribed to my KZbin Channel check out also the Channel from Lena and subscribe as well to her channel.
Lena's Channel: @lyokovln
Lena's IG: lenayokoyama
Thank you very much.
For any question feel free to eMail me at [e-mail]
Meanwhile all the best from Cremona
Edgar
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[@JacquesLuu]

a little suggestion, in order to better comparison, with the help of video editing have a short musical sentence played with the two tailpiece side by side, one after another

[@mezzopiano3119]

As a workaround, open the same video in two browser tabs and adjust the playback positions such that the two demos play about synchronously. Then mute the one tab or the other to compare the sound with the two different tailpieces.

[@riangarianga]

It's definitely noticeable, way more than I initially thought it would be. Personally I liked titanium better.

[@steevewheelis3570]

It's refreshing to see someone try new products and give them a real-world review. The only place I felt the titanium had any huge difference was on the A string as it sounded a bit different in tone. Overall, it was great to hear this in action as I was thinking about changing the tailpiece of my violin this year as well! Thank you!

[@wingkongyip4424]

Like the others, I was pleasantly surprised with the warm rich tone of the titanium tailpiece. Thank you, Edgar, for bringing us such interesting news in the strings world.

[@EdgarRuss]

I am glad you enjoy it, Wing!

[@larshenrikrn4105]

What I hear is more resonances at certain notes and overtones with the titanium one. The wood makes a darker sound with less resonance. And the last one is what I like the most. It brings you closer to a human voice. The titanium one sounds like a voice in an echo-chamber.

[@mellissadalby1402]

I can't believe I am saying this, but I think I like the sound better with the Titanium tailpiece. I would expect that the Titanium tailpiece might not have the identical affect on a different instrument because each instrument is unique in its resonance and natural overtones, so the action of the Titanium tailpiece may not (likely will not) be the same for every violin, but it is always worth a try, isn't it? How about the Titanium tailpiece together with the Titanium endpin? There may be a violin out there in the world for which such a combination could unlock the soul of the instrument. The violin definitely sounds great, awesome instrument. I totally love Lena's playing. She is a master in my opinion.

[@MyManinHavanna]

I'd love to hear from the player. She seemed more at ease playing on the titanium tail piece. It sounded a bit better as well.

[@terria1254]

Thank-you Edgar! Your videos are the BEST! All the best to you 🙂🎻

[@Matt_IsaBird]

Wooden tailpiece 1:33 Titanium tailpiece 5:13

[@EdgarRuss]

Thanks

[@1cleandude]

Wow with the break between demos I think they were so similar!!🙏

[@w.k.perriam6668]

Surprisingly the titanium tailpiece sounded better than the boxwood one! Clearer sound and very rich in quality! Love your videos!

[@EdgarRuss]

Thanks!

[@Hazzem_Fayed]

One of my life's dreams is to work with you in your workshop . Im watching you long time ago & I learned from you too much also I like your way of demonstration . I make maintenance for my violin myself , Im just a beginner amateur .❤ God bless you ❤ Happy new year.❤

[@vendelius]

I agree that it did make a pleasant difference... might have to buy and try one some day.. Thank you..

[@EdgarRuss]

Exactly! I am looking forward to meeting you!

[@soniaharden8549]

beautiful big ringing round sound...Bravo!

[@elenamombelli1346]

Interesting thanks for information ❤

[@EdgarRuss]

🥰💃🏻🌹🥰💐

[@ronlavallee112]

I noticed the improvement in sound also looks cool as well. I agree with you Edgar best sound.

[@EdgarRuss]

👍🏼

[@rocknroller912]

Happy Christmas btw way and keep up the videos

[@EdgarRuss]

Thanks and all the best also to you for Xmas

[@davidhamer8333]

Interesting video, thanks for sharing.

[@EdgarRuss]

You are welcome!

[@cr-us9ch]

That violin sounds very good both ways.

[@gkroll]

I think I like the bowwood better.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

I have to admit that it has more resonance with the titanium tailpiece.

[@EdgarRuss]

I agree!

[@rensknieriem]

Thanks for your videos, learning a lot from them. Good sound with the titanium tailpiece, perhaps more ‘forgiving’ than the boxwood..

[@EdgarRuss]

Well said! 👌🏼

[@boonsfrc]

Wow very nice

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

Lovind your videos!I dont believe in power but harmonic richness and the ability to carry on the sound.

[@EdgarRuss]

thanks!

[@daviddaniel1988]

Good day Edgar! I'm Dawie here from South Africa 🇿🇦 Love your videos!!!!! Titanium sounds darker but more opened compared with the boxwood tail piece. Will definitely try it on my copy of stradivari.. ohh interesting enough is also sound more woody. Best regards Dawie.❤

[@EdgarRuss]

I agree! all the best from Cremona Edgar

[@davidlowther8886]

I’m interested in the geared pegs to eliminate the need for fine tuners on the tailpiece.

[@TNungesser]

Now if they can just make a titanium tailpiece that looks just like your beautiful boxwood tailpiece. I always enjoy your nice videos and just wish I had the money to purchase one of your beautiful looking and beautiful sounding violins.

[@josephgalamba8695]

I'd be very interested in a comparison with Bois D'Harmonie Pernambuco tailpiece as well. Generally the violin these devices have a minor change unlike in cello, but this one seems to make an audible difference!

[@shadowwind18]

I actually really expected it to be just like it was. Here is why: titanium is very light and incredibly strong.... BUT it is also very flexible! (think aircraft wings). My thinking was that that flexibility would allow it to transmit the lower note sounds very effectively - and not MORE than the higher notes like I would expect from something incredibly stiff. I think that flexibility is what made the difference compared to the rosewood. Perhaps it is odd to think that metal can be more flexible than wood, but the material can also be more consistent in density and designs should be able ot be very accurately modeled of how it will vibrate/resonate and transmit forces. Also, the reason it doesn't feel cold, like most metals: titanium transmits heat relatively poorly; so in effect, it conducts heat less quickly from the surface of your skin, making it feel similar to plastic in this regard. Edgar, thank you very much for all the knowledge you provide on your channel; it has been very interesting to learn many things here and it is increasing my love of cello as I better understand how it works and grow in my appreciation of the complexity/art.

[@jorge-manuel-fernandes]

For me it is relative🤔... I prefer the wooden one😊. As for titanium clips for cello bridges, what is Edgar’s opinion? Is it worth it or, in the case of the cello, is it better to use parchment? Thank you very much, and Merry Christmas🎄🎅

[@TheSiegfriedkim]

I installed also same Titanium tailpiece on my Violin on tuesday and the result was also very impressive.More power and sound,but a little metallic.I would try with gut strings like eudoxa or passion

[@EdgarRuss]

Oh, that’s interesting! Si it depends also here from instrument to instrument. Violin acoustics is such a complex thing.

[@Creationhorse]

I wonder how the Titanium TP compares to an aluminum Whittner TP?

[@ssb73q]

Hi, thanks for the video. I put the Stradpet titanium tailpiece on my Mezzo Forte carbon fiber violin. If there was any improvement it was marginal. Urban legend suggests that the lightest tailpiece possible is preferred. It would be interesting if you did a video on the quality of violin sound and tailpiece weight?

[@Unbridled-Whimsy]

That's interesting! Makes me wonder if maybe it's more how the tailpiece interacts with the wooden body of the instrument than the piece itself, since it didn't seem to affect your instrument very much. Here's an idea though, that's definitely tailpiece and string based instead - harp style tailpiece! It slopes progressively allowing each lower string to stretch out a little bit more. I put a Frirsz tailpiece on my viola in 2017 (back when they made wooden ones, now the website only has brass and what seems to be some sort of composite material). The difference was instant. All of a sudden I was hearing overtones when I played scales, everything became more resonant. It directly affects the strings, so on a carbon fiber instrument I think you'd still hear a difference

[@w___s]

Better or not, anybody who thinks they can tell from a youtube video is being a little bit silly. I'm open to and interested in finding out. The cello version is a little pricey although not ridiculous. I'm trying to find out what the string spacing is (cello tailpiece). My instrument sounds much better with a wider spacing than most modern makers provide :(

[@notepadpowersnail1860]

My reservation is that if some accident happens, and the tailpiece falls off, a wooden tailpiece might cause a dents in the varnish, whereas a titanium one can severely scratch.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

It might even make a dent.

[@EdgarRuss]

Such scenario has not happened to any instrument in my 40 years of career. But if it happened to you I can understand your concern. The titanium tailpiece will last for ever! Edgar

[@geoffmcc5351]

What is the name of this piece of music? Beautiful.

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Sorry I miss spoke. I do not hate E. V.S I SIMPLY THINK THEY ARE IMPRACTICAL. I CANT AFFORD ONE ANYWAY. HOW DID I GET SUCKED INTO THIS! MY APPOLIGIES TO YOU Sir! I miss spoke and merry chritmas. I think your right. Maybe the titanium tailpiece allows you to hear articulation of mid to hi frq. Better. I will keep an open mind. Love to you all from usa your loyal listener chris. GRATZI!

[@MelloCelloFello]

I would like to see a comparison of the titanium vs a carbon fiber tailpiece, such as the ConCarbo (which I think is a little lighter and a little cheaper). Do you have thoughts on this Edgar?

[@1ralton1]

I'm not sure what people mean when they just say it sounds 'Rich'. As to me something can sound rich in many different ways. I did kind of prefer the sound of the titanium tailpiece. I would also describe its sound as being richer in higher harmonics. The sound with the boxwood tailpiece seemed to have a slightly sweeter and resonant almost boxier yet frail quality and made me feel slightly uneasy. It gave me the impression that the player didn't get on with the instrument very well. However, with the titanium tailpiece the sweet almost frail quality disappeared and the player seemed to enjoy playing it more somehow, even though it seemed she was very careful not to show any such feelings. Interesting indeed.

[@DWCStuff]

The violin sounded like it was more sure of the notes it was making cleaner crisp notes

[@alainhalimi3821]

how about concarbo tailpiece? and anima nova soundest? cheers!

[@user-gm2qc3np5o]

Generally speaking, each materials have a positive-side, and negative-side. Wood is good sounds, but affected wet, or dry environment. The Titanium is inferior to the woods, but it won't dry or wet. so, Titanium has a more stability, I guess.

[@lalo2626]

Stradpet do have another Titanium model- french style, which for me worked even better. (I also tried the Hill style model in this video) It definitely made a very positive impact and gave the violin a rich and broad sound. After some time a changed back to wood, but not for long. After a few hours I went back to Titanium and it was again a revelation how much better it sounded. One thing to keep in mind- when releasing the strings of its tension, the violin usually sounds much better afterwards in any case for a few days and than goes back to how it used to sound.

[@TNungesser]

That sounds like a good trick to keep in mind for professionals who play before crowds of people to release the tension on their strings a day before they play to bring out the better sound of their violin?

[@lalo2626]

@@TNungesser Interesting idea!! Maybe the downside is that the strings need more tuning after that- to stabilize. So- to do it shortly before a concert, I would be hesitant. But I will definitely try it a day before!

[@Pedro.almeida.ribeiro]

Hi Edgar! Hope you're well. Lately I have been watching your videos and I think they are very informative and interesting. I was wondering, what's your opinion on instruments with fake labels? I've come across a few surprisingly good sounding ones, even though the price may not be fair for the craft used to build them. Do you know when and where this practice is or has been more frequent? How did it came about? This could be an interesting topic for a future video! Best.

[@EdgarRuss]

Thanks for your idea! I will think about it in the following days! Meanwhile merry Xmas from Cremona Edgar

[@Pedro.almeida.ribeiro]

Thanks, merry christmas!@@EdgarRuss

[@amezcuaist]

The titaniom makes the tone harsher . For the player --the Bach piece needs the phrases to be separated and have their own character rather than one long continuous piece. Accentuate parts to give them some individual feeling..Lighter going up --tiny pause --and heavier going down .Build in the force of gravity .Exagerate a bit .

[@user-to3br3ck9d]

Thank You so much for the useful experiments! It's very interesting how modern technology is integrated into conservative violin design! Looking forward for new videos!

[@EdgarRuss]

👌🏽

[@rocknroller912]

I hear less resonance and volume with the titanium but a more muted and mellow tone.

[@ultracello]

Interesting! Does sound pretty good! For cello the carbon fiber bridge and the titanium tailpiece is still not available.

[@EdgarRuss]

I know! 😞

[@sergiocunha54]

I prefer Woody ,bye far. Fantastic sound.

[@waynepan6335]

Honestly quite surprised. I thought it would be hard sounding. A viable alternative for people looking to steer their violins toward certain tonal characteristics. Anyone has an opinion on carbon fiber soundpost in a violin? I'm quite intrigued by it.

[@EdgarRuss]

Carbon fiber soundpost? That sounds very interesting! I keep my eyes open to this subject! Thanks Wayne! Edgar

[@lalo2626]

I have a carbon fiber soundpost from Anima Nova. It makes the sound more mellow, definitely a beautiful sound. On my new violin it seemed that it took the edge of the peak volume. So now I have again wood, which was a little louder on that particular violin. But maybe the sound was just less penetrating because of different and rich overtones? I will probaly try again

[@waynepan6335]

​@@lalo2626thank you! Tone wise, I was expecting a richer sound as well. However, I am surprised to hear that it is quieter. I was expecting a richer, warmer, yet clear and louder sound. Is it quieter or just less projecting?

[@lalo2626]

@@waynepan6335 the sound felt a bit less penetrating when playing. It is hard to say though, if it is really quieter. It could just be the different set of overtones? I should give it another try in the future- just got a newly built violin, which sounded great from the beginning. maybe I should't have "optimized" it after only one week. I even went back to the wood tailpiece. But not for long. The Stradpet really does sound much better on that violin

[@ljp7578]

Hi, what can you say about concarbo tailpiece? Can you make a video about it? Or make a comparison video between Stradpet Titanium tailpiece and Concarbo tailpiece? Thank You😇

[@EdgarRuss]

interesting subject! But I don´t have a carbon tailpiece which convinces me. Many people make nice looking things with carbon fiber. But to make it that it is more carbon fiber than resin is an other subject. So as soon I found the right one I will make a video about t. thanks for your comment all the best from Cremona Edgar

[@nazarnozhak3696]

I liked more the sound with the boxwood tail piece.

[@EdgarRuss]

thanks for your comment

[@kevinfarrellUK]

I think there is a bit more shine in the titanium, would perhaps suit a soloist? Does anyone know what piece she is playing? It is lovely. ;))

[@prodigyr3born274]

It's the Allemande from Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita no. in D minor for Solo Violin

[@kevinfarrellUK]

@@prodigyr3born274 thank you! ;))

[@Krispiefry]

On first hearing I was quite impressed with the new tailpiece, but after listening to both once more, (on my laptop, which may not be fair), I thought that the new one, although harder sounding, wasn't quite as loud as the boxwood, and furthermore the dynamics within each note weren't quite there.

[@EdgarRuss]

Of course sound is always very personal; but as far as we could judge in real listening the three of us were mega surprised!

[@Creationhorse]

​@@EdgarRussIt's good to know what you thought, hearing in person. Listening to KZbin on my phone probably isn't very accurate 😊

[@mariosalesamarco4871]

What do you think abiut carbon-fiber adjustable soundposts?

[@EdgarRuss]

Well you know everything can be made better! But somehow our human ear has been used to wooden made sound. I say that because as soon we ue Carbon fiber most of the time the result becomes so efficient that the sound becomes too focused and appears to our ear hard and unpleasant. Sayed that it could be that. Too soft sounding instrument with the help of a carbon fiber made sound post becomes perfect and another instrument becomes too harsh! You have to try! The biggest problem is to stay diplomatic and objective! Edgar

[@mariosalesamarco4871]

@@EdgarRuss very interesting! I imagine that the perfect adjust that they are suppousefbto offer can help a los with soft-sound violines. Can be the answer to them and maybe also for 5-6 strings violines that packs in response of the low strings.

[@mettevunsjensen4094]

A suggestion: more cello?

[@EdgarRuss]

well received! 👋🏾

[@ghlscitel6714]

The sound is more mellow after the replacement of the tailpiece.

[@EdgarRuss]

👌🏼

[@familyskorman3148]

Thanks for review - those tailpieces exist much longer then AI came out. My thinking - not worth the money at all. Change is minor at least on this violin. Also hard to put back bridge to the same position and hard to make 100% string afterlenght. Also strings sound diferent after restringing(more live - less dull). You may have similar efect to change for another boxwood tailpiece of the same mass. Also nice ebony will have similar efect vs boxwood. To my thinking this violin is not good to start with - very nasal sound to begin with no throath at all and with titanium to me sounded more nasal that was bigger issue for me then marginal warmer clearer sound that can be result of restringing. Also i would like to see violin recorded in dry sound room to eliminate room sound echo. In such big room every violin sound better and it is harder to listen subtile differences.

[@JamesSmith-zs8fl]

What next? Carbon Fiber? Interesting for some Audio Laboratory Testing.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

Did you see the carbon fiber bridge in the pic on Amazon?

[@EdgarRuss]

I even made the test video with the carbon fiber bridge a few weeks ago!

[@TheJimboViolin]

Do you stain your boxwood fittings?

[@EdgarRuss]

Yes of course! Otherwise it would be white!

[@disqusrubbish5467]

Very surprised! The titanium tailpiece sounded a lot better. Was expecting a harsh metallic sort of sound. Not at all.

[@EdgarRuss]

same here! Edgar

[@shvartze]

How strange. Unlike the metal button which degraded the sound of the fiddle this seemed to make it more open while retaining the character of the instrument. It still needs more testing. What may work well on a $6K fiddle could have adverse effect on one worth 60 grand. You could better judge on a great Cremona violin that is recorded without the huge amount of reverb and a violinist that uses more bow.

[@SammyNeverEver]

Blind test?

[@ewertondannadasilva8409]

top

[@EdgarRuss]

🤗

[@Danieshylle126.]

E eu acho que o tradicional ficou com som melhor!

[@EdgarRuss]

It’s also a question of taste and what sound you search. I can understand you as well!

[@davidlowther8886]

I bought a carbon fibre bow thinking it will be lighter. It weighs exactly the same as my wood bow 😂

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

First of all thank you for your beautiful soloist! Absolutly breathtaking finesse. No! I dont care for the Titanium tailpiece. To me it sounded slightly tinny. Any gains in tone were snuffed out by added weight. Im sorry Titanium tailpiece not my cup of tea. I will pass on that one. Thank you for presenting it but no way. A VIOLIN SHOULD BE MADE FROM STURDY EBONY, MAPLE, SPRUCE, WILLOW. THE ONLY METAL SHOULD BE WROT IRON NAILS DRIVEN RED HOT INTO THE NECK BLOCK AND INTO THE HEEL OF THE NECK AS DID Stradivari. The modern dovetail neck is fine but I would rather have a trditional original Stradivari un touched. I love your vidios and especcially your showcase on bow hacks! I love baroque instruments and trditional methods. Bless you for these fine vidios. Most greatful. If it were me, If the acoustics of the instrument tollerated it and it spoke well I would see about solid affrican ebony. Otherwise Indian ebony tailpiece.then boxwood then teak. Ebony end button natuural sheepgut or oxgut tailgut.save the titanium tailpiece for an electric violin.😅

[@EdgarRuss]

Interesting comment! Guess you hate EV as well. But on instruments I somehow can understand it better. Still I love to see it from the point of view that evolution hasn't stopped so far on anything. My dad always says: "Nothing will stay the way it is!" thanks for your interesting point of view. all the best for Xmas Edgar

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Dear Mr. Russ I am not as you say a hater. Clearly there has been miss communication. Miss understanding. Sorry to have been so disparaging of Titanium tailpiece. I think you should leave its application to person to person in store consideration or point of sale in house. Please accept my sincere appologies. Your humble enthusiast Chris. Usa @@EdgarRuss

[@fragslap5229]

Sound the SAME to me.

[@sonicboom2000]

Shorter excerpt and put them back to back for easier comparison. Add bookmarks in the video to be able to click quicker for comparison. No description between examples.

[@amezcuaist]

So now try Titanium tailpiece ---with Real Gut strings. Salt and Pepper together .

[@cr-us9ch]

your camas and decimals are backwards on your website I think, is that really a 31,000 dollar violin?

[@salionshatterstar]

Yes, that is correct. Much of the world reverses the position of commas and periods within numbers, at least in comparison to the order I'm used to in the US or UK.

[@EdgarRuss]

Sorry to tell you that it is correct! 😂😇🤩🎻

[@jaspalfie3432]

Titanium 1 Boxwood 0

[@EdgarRuss]

😄

[@jaspalfie3432]

Master Russ, will you be considering fitting titanium tailpieces to your future violins?

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

$156 American is too rich for my blood. There’s nothing wrong with a good old kronotone tailpiece.

[@EdgarRuss]

😂

[@soccerplayerfan251]

Hi- No difference!! Technically wood would be better, because it resonates and it gives more warmth and lively sound to the violin. Waste of money!!

[@nikolastm111]

I don't hear it. Almost nothing.

[@EdgarRuss]

Try to hear with a headset!

[@amilcarcarfi]

Boxwood is better.

[@EdgarRuss]

thanks for your comment