An overview of the popular Wolf shoulder rest
One of the most popular brands for shoulder rests is Wolf. They’ve stood the test of time as reputable violin accessories.
Personally, I’ve used the Wolf Forte Secondo for many years and really enjoyed it. I recommend this violin shoulder rest to many students looking for an upgrade. My students find these shoulder rests comfortable and reliable. They withstand the test of time and are very well-made.
If you’re in the market for a new shoulder rest and want something reliable yet flexible, read on, as I believe this might be a great shoulder rest for you!
About Wolf Shoulder Rests
Wolf Music Products began when Willy Wolf created his first shoulder rest in Amsterdam in 1964. The business is still family-owned, and they pride themselves on having a shoulder rest for every kind of violin or viola player.
The company currently offers five different shoulder rest models, along with chin rests, end pins, and other miscellaneous accessories for string musicians. Wolf shoulder rests are very adjustable, which makes them a great option for nearly every violinist in search of a shoulder rest to try.
Now let’s dive into the different Wolf shoulder rests, along with their pros and cons!
Wolf Forte Secondo Shoulder Rest
SPECIFICATIONS
Starting Price: $29.99
Materials: Rubber and Aluminum
Size: 21.84 x 7.4 x 1.8 cm
Adjustable Height: Yes
Adjustable Width: Yes
Weight: 68 g
Sizes: Violin: 4/4-3/4, 1/2-1/4, 1/8-1/16; Viola: one size fits most
REASONS TO BUY
+ Very flexible
+ Comfortable foam pad
+ Adjustable feet
+ Can change the height, width, and tilt
+ Great for players with long necks
+ Typically a great universal fit
REASONS TO AVOID
– Depending on how you bend it, there can be exposed metal that could scratch your violin
– The rubber on the feet tends to wear out, but there are replacements available
The most popular Wolf shoulder rest would have to be the Forte Secondo. I own and have used this shoulder rest, and it’s truly a great option. This shoulder rest offers a ton of flexibility with its bendable base. It’s the cheapest flexible shoulder rest I’ve seen so far!
The Forte Secondo is built off a curved metal bar. The backplate is made of bendable aluminum that allows you to bend the shoulder rest to your liking. It also features feet that swivel so you can change the angle and height of the rest. One foot is part of a sliding width adjustment: a pole that you pull out or push in to change the width. Once you’re happy with it, there’s a screw you can tighten to lock it into place.
The shoulder rest comes with rubber spacers that can be added to the feet if they’re adjusted the the tallest setting. The rubber spacers stabilize the feet so you can feel confident in the integrity of the shoulder rest.
Wolf Forte Secondo Violin Shoulder Rest
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Wolf Forte Secondo Viola Shoulder Rest
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Left Forte Secondo
Wolf also makes the Forte Secondo for left-handed violin players! It’s the same product as the regular Forte Secondo, just mirrored. I haven’t seen too many left-handed shoulder rests available, so I anticipate that this is a very reliable option for anyone who plays with this setup.
The left Forte Secondo is available in violin sizes 4/4-3/4 and 1/2-1/4.
Wolf Forte Secondo Left Handed Violin Shoulder Rest
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Colored Forte Secondo
Wolf also offers the Forte Secondo in a few different colors. They originally only made these in smaller sizes for kids, but due to a large demand, they’re now available in all sizes!
Wolf Forte Primo Shoulder Rest
SPECIFICATIONS
Starting Price: $29.99
Materials: Rubber and Aluminum
Size: 25.15 x 6.86 x 3.81 cm
Adjustable Height: Yes
Adjustable Width: Yes
Weight: 81.6 g
Sizes: Violin: 4/4-3/4; Viola: one size fits most
REASONS TO BUY
+ The violin model ranges from 3/4-4/4 size, which means the shoulder rest can grow alongside young violin players, and you won’t have to spend money on a larger model
+ Comfortable for most
+ Very flexible
+ Can tilt, adjust the height, and the width to fit you and your violin
+ Can be adjusted high if you have a long neck
+ The Primo model has a wider pad than the Forte Secondo
REASONS TO AVOID
– Not quite as flexible as the Forte Secondo
– The rubber feet tend to wear out after a few years of playing but can be replaced
The Wolf Forte Primo is built off a straight metal bar and has a bendable aluminum backplate just like the Forte Secondo model.
The metal legs can be bent for optimal comfort, and this model also comes with swivel feet and rubber spacers to stabilize them if they’re adjusted to the tallest setting.
The Forte Primo has a wide pad, making this a very comfortable option for many violin players. The rubber feet grip the violin solidly without scratching it. All around, this is a great shoulder rest!
Wolf Forte Primo Violin Shoulder Rest
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Wolf Forte Primo Viola Shoulder Rest
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Wolf Super Flexible Shoulder Rest
SPECIFICATIONS
Starting Price: $31.99
Materials: Rubber and Aluminum
Size: 23.37 x 6.86 x.127 cm
Adjustable Height: Yes
Adjustable Width: Yes
Weight: 90.7 g
Sizes: Violin: 4/4-3/4; Viola: one size fits most
REASONS TO BUY
+ Extremely flexible pad that contours to your shoulder
+ Sliding width adjustment bar allows you to fit the feet exactly to your instrument, meaning it’ll fall off less often
+ High adjustment options
REASONS TO AVOID
– Not the prettiest shoulder rest
– The rubber feet may wear out but can be replaced
– Some exposed metal that could potentially scratch your instrument
The Wolf Super Flexible shoulder rest is a bit different from most other shoulder rests. The feet are built into a tension rod, which provides the width adjustment to fit accurately to your specific violin.
The pad is very flexible: it bends with just a touch, which means that it’ll constantly conform to your shoulder while you’re playing! This could be a game changer if you find typical shoulder rests too stiff and uncomfortable against your shoulder and chest.
This shoulder rest is also a great option for players looking for a tall option. The feet on the Super Flexible model can be adjusted very high to help you find the perfect position.
There are fewer sizes available for the Wolf Super Flexible shoulder rest, due to the customization offered by the tension rod. One size fits 4/4-3/4 violin and viola.
Everest Style Gripper, Extra Long Length
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Overall, Wolf has a few different models of shoulder rests, and they’re all loved by many musicians for their flexibility, comfort, and durability. They’ve built up a great reputation through the years, and if you’re in the market for a new shoulder rest, theirs are reliable and worthwhile to experiment with.
If you enjoyed learning about Wolf shoulder rests, but don’t feel like you’ve found the one for you yet, be sure to check out my list of the best violin shoulder rests, or dive deeper into a different brand like Everest.
What shoulder rest are you using right now? Do you like it? Let me know down below!
Happy practicing, and I hope you find the right shoulder rest for your needs!
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