SHOULDER RESTS: The Dolfinos System

[@sebastian_barr]

I’ve recently discovered the idea of raising the height of the chin rest instead of getting a taller shoulder rest and it’s felt much more comfortable for me. I have a long neck and I used to hunch over my violin too much, giving me a sore back and neck.

[@ireneabrigo]

That's for sure very helpful, enjoy your experiments! You are for sure aware that the distance between you and the violin will be quite different and (depends of the chin rest) not always stable. I have been played only with heigh chin rest and without shoulder rest for years and did not resolve my problems. Nowadays I am happy with a combination of both!

[@tantricsarcasm9133]

Thanks for the review. I hope you post an update if you decide to go with Dolfinos, and if they can make you a wooden chin-rest. I had watched some other reviews but I hadn't seen the part about the counterweight for the back. Very interesting.

[@ireneabrigo]

I’ve tried the pillow for the back, it’s very good! I will make an update video soon… I broke a toe in the meantime and things slowed down a bit! Thanks for you comment ☺

[@richardstumph7833]

Thank for sharing the info about your neck and back,, they do go by saying it's (COMEN),, when it's very cautious about,..

[@ireneabrigo]

Dear Richard, I felt it was important to share. Not many musicians talks about their physical problems, but we all have them. Some more, some less. xx

[@pb8995]

I’m currently thinking of buying dolfinos shoulder rest and chin rest. If I may ask, this chinrest is the toledo low or toledo high model? I know there are these two available and I am very indecisive of what I should choose.

[@ireneabrigo]

Hi! My chinrest is not Toledo, it's the Berlin, higher model. If you have a long neck too I would suggest to go for the higher model, Berlin or Toledo, what you prefer. Of course if you could try it before buying it would be useful... Dolfinos organizes an Open Door presentation on the 29th of June in Baden, Switzerland. If you could join the event, you could try all options available! In any case please let me know about your experience! Kind regards, Irene

[@pb8995]

@@ireneabrigo Thank you so much! I understand that you decided to buy the limited air edition but i’m thinking of buying the carbon+ edition since it is a more affordable option. Do you have an opinion? And what are the pros and cons between these two models?

[@mezzopiano3119]

In case Dolfinos only makes ABS custom chinrests: If your preferred wooden chinrest is still commercially available, you might want to modify one (or have it modified) such that it can accommodate two 2,5 mm titanium (or stainless steel) rods at the correct distance, so you could mount it onto the Dolfinos adapter.

[@ireneabrigo]

Hi! Thanks for your comment. Yes, that's an option. In the meantime I discovered that they do wooden chinrest but only on certain models. Some violin makers confirmed me that they can produce a prototype for me, if I want a specific wooden model. I still have to visit Dolfinos headquarters, I will do it soon!! I am very excited.

[@JeremyJoubert]

Thanks for your reviews. I recently tried the Dolfinos system and it was definitely the most comfortable and secure system I have tried so far. Unfortunately there is no one here in Australia that I am aware of that sells the system, so it is not possible to see all the different chin rest options. I look forward to feedback on your visit to their headquarters. They are expensive but if they can reduce the suffering of us long-necked violinists then definitely worth it!

[@mezzopiano3119]

@@JeremyJoubert Also for me, the Dolfinos is the most comfortable system I have tried so far. I haven’t been playing violin for very long, and I have invested more in the Dolfinos than in my violin, but I wasn’t happy at all with all other solutions I’d tried. Conversely, the Dolfinos immediately solved all the issues I had with slipping and tilting. I also like the height, shape and spaciousness of the Toledo high chinrest. It’s of course highly individual, but in general my feeling is that the Dolfinos will appeal more to violinists with thin torsos or sloping shoulders. As far as I know, you can order multiple chinrests and then return those you don’t want to keep. There should also be a way to get any import/customs fees reimbursed for returned products. Contact Dolfinos directly for details, their sales team is very friendly.

[@ireneabrigo]

@@JeremyJoubert Absolutely! I will inform them about the Australian market!

[@schoondw]

Thanks for the nice review. I also enjoy playing with this system. One detail: I noticed that the shoulder rest was mounted in the wrong way. If you check the tutorial on Dolfinos website (link included) at 3:00 it shows that the small feet should be placed over the leaf springs. Then the shoulder rest will be pushed in its position, rather than flapping around. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJzYm4mEn7ZketUsi=uj9nmquOJhCzyCc1

[@ireneabrigo]

Hi, thanks for your feedback! So strange, the Dolfinos teams mounted my set. I will have a look at your suggestion during the Christmas holidays, thanks a lot! Kind regards

[@erwinlienart3716]

Nice violon, Guadagnini style ?

[@ireneabrigo]

Very Guadagnini style... :) It's a GB Guadagnini from 1758

[@maggie2465]

Arw they $600 US dollars?

[@ireneabrigo]

Minimum...

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

#21_Nov2024_VeryInterestingProduct🇺🇸