Chinrest VLA, Hamburg, Nat. Ebony, Ti, ZK-V4253-NAT-T
ZK-V4253-NAT-T
Mounted on the left side, with a wing towards the tailpiece. A high, gently running ridge with a pronounced dip and a rounded edge. Natural ebony with brown to grey figure; every piece shows its own grain.
- In its violin version one of our best-selling chin rests, especially in the USA
- Screws and barrels in pure titanium, uncoated and free of nickel
- Sized for viola rib heights
Technical data
| Model | Hamburg |
| Material | Unstained ebony |
| Fittings | Screws and barrels in pure titanium |
| Instrument | Viola |
| Item number | ZK-V4253-NAT-T |
Features
- Contact points lined with Portuguese cork
- Height means the distance between the top and the plate. It depends on neck length and shoulder rest: those who set the instrument high get by with a flat chin rest, those who carry it lower need more height
- Higher models are usually heavier. In our experience a heavier chin rest makes the sound a little warmer and darker; a light one leaves it more open
Sound and physics
Viola barrels come in 32 mm and 35 mm; many viola models are supplied with one pair in each length. What counts for the choice is the rib height at the lower bout, measured from back to top.
Acoustically, the chin rest adds a mass with its own damping to the edge of the body through a few contact points. It therefore mainly slows those natural vibrations of the body that move strongly at these contact points, and leaves free those that have a node (a point at rest) there.
The viola chin rests we have weighed come to between around 55 g and 67 g including screws.
The suffix -NAT stands for unstained ebony: it is not stained, only treated with beeswax. The natural features of the wood with their grain flames therefore remain visible; the difference from stained ebony is purely aesthetic and not a difference in quality.
As a wood it is the same dense ebony; after working, the chin rests are stored for several months to dry through. Of the three woods we use for chin rests, ebony is the densest, ahead of rosewood and boxwood. African ebony (Diospyros crassiflora) has a density of 1,000 to 1,050 kg/m³ at 12 % moisture content.
Of our models, the Stüber is the one most strongly designed for chin support. The Hamburg has a higher curve at the top that gives the chin extra grip, and it runs out longer. Compared with the Hamburg, the Stüber is rounder and smaller.
We make the Hamburg in ebony only, the Stüber in ebony and boxwood. For the Hamburg we use deep black ebony of documented origin. The two viola Stübers ZK-V301 and ZK-V303 differ only in wood, not in size.
On the versions with the suffix -T, screws and barrels are made of pure titanium. Screws and barrels in titanium Grade 2 weigh around 42 to 44 per cent less than the same shapes in steel.
On the Guarneri in rosewood the scales show the difference: around 51 g with standard metal screws, around 45 g with titanium screws. Pure titanium contains no nickel and resists corrosion without any coating, including from perspiration. A thread in pure titanium runs a little stiffer than one in an alloy and therefore likes a light oiling.
We make our titanium screws ourselves in Wernitzgrün. We offer titanium in the closed design only; pure titanium cannot be brought into the geometry that Hill fittings need.
Our experience
When we advise on a viola, we ask for the rib height and then put together the matching pair of barrels. Our experience with tightening applies to the viola as well: only firmly enough that the chin rest holds securely, because the rib beside the bottom block is more delicate than the spot directly over the block.
We make the unstained chin rests with 1.5 mm cork on the feet, just like the stained ones.
For anyone who wants to play without a shoulder rest and hold the instrument securely with the chin, our first recommendation is the Stüber.
For us titanium is the choice when a chin rest is meant to stay on the instrument for decades: in normal use we know of no limit to its lifespan.
When another model suits you better
Anyone looking for a consistently deep black to match stained ebony pegs will choose the same model in stained ebony.
Anyone who prefers a flat, side-mounted rest will find it in the Slim Style or the Kaufmann.
Anyone who values the classic Hill fitting will find it on our models with gold-plated Hill screws, whose feet are firmly joined to the chin rest.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the NAT version differ visually from the stained one?
The difference is small: the unstained wood shows its natural features and grain flames, while stained ebony is black throughout.
Do you also make boxwood as a NAT version?
No, the suffix -NAT is used by us for ebony only; boxwood is a light wood in any case.
Do you also make the Hamburg in rosewood or boxwood?
No, we make the Hamburg in ebony only, stained or unstained.
Which of the two gives more hold?
For pure chin support the Stüber; with its higher curve at the top the Hamburg offers good grip for the chin.
Can I convert a chin rest to titanium later?
With models that have closed screws, yes; the titanium screws are also sold individually for this. Models with Hill screws cannot be converted to titanium.
These texts hold decades of experience and a great deal of heart. They are protected by copyright, C.A. Götz jr. GmbH. Please ask us before any use. Thank you for your appreciation.