Shoulder Rest Vla, Forte Second (W4821), WLF-SR20

Wolf Forte Secondo shoulder rest for viola. As with all Wolf rests, you bend the bar by hand into the shape of your own body.

• Height adjustable from 0.5 to 8 cm on both sides
• Angle and width freely adjustable
• Two spacer tubes for stabilising the highest setting are included

Technical data

Features

• Forte Secondo model
• For viola
• Wolf Music Products manufactures in Harmelen, the Netherlands

In practice

• The Secondo is the crescent-shaped version that sits close to the body.
• At the heart of the Wolf rests is a rubber bar with an aluminium rail on top. You bend it by hand into the shape of your own body.
• Important when you first unpack it: from the factory the bar is flat and not yet shaped to your body. It only becomes right over days or weeks of re-bending.
• Wolf is the choice for players looking for a rest shaped to their own body. The bar can reach over the collarbone and follow the upper chest.
• A recurring point from practice: after bending, the metal arm of the width adjustment can stick out. Tape the tip or fit a rubber cap, and the varnish stays untouched.
• According to the maker all Wolf products are latex free.
• Height first: when you place the instrument and lower your chin, the spine should stay straight and the head should not tilt. Better to start too low and raise it step by step.
• Then the tilt, and set each foot separately. The shoulder slopes away from the neck towards the arm; if one side sits in the air, only an edge is bearing.
• Chin rest and shoulder rest work together. With a long neck a higher chin rest can take over part of the height, so the shoulder rest need not be wound up to its limit.

Sound and physics

Violas are sized by body length in centimetres or inches; adult sizes range from 15.5 to 17 inches.

The dimensions a shoulder rest engages with grow with the body length.

Wolf rests have a bendable bar that can be shaped by hand to your own body. Among players the Forte Secondo is regarded as the choice for very long necks.

The Standard models Primo and Secondo work with a fixed height. As a spare part Wolf supplies the rubber foot ends, WLF-SR58, but not complete feet.

When another model suits you better

Players who prefer to set their rest with screws and drums will find the right partner in the Kun Original or the Kun Super.

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for in a shoulder rest for my viola?

What counts are the lower bout width and rib height of your own instrument; on a viola with a 42 cm body they are 244 mm and 39 mm. If in doubt, measure the lower bout across at its widest point.

Are there replacement feet for Wolf shoulder rests?

The rubber foot ends are offered as spare part WLF-SR58; Wolf does not offer complete feet separately.