I went to Woodbridge Violins yesterday in Suffolk to buy a new bow - got a really nice one actually. Anyway whilst i was there Russell Stowe who owns the shop asked me if I would try out this new shoulder rest that he and someone else had designed. It's only been on the market 2 weeks and i have to say it is FANTASTIC! It doesn't clamp the violin like the Wolf shoulder rests. It doesn't even actually touch the violin. It's quite difficult to explain how it's attached but it gets fixed underneath the chin rest and it has a metal sort of rod i suppose coming from that.

Anyway the sound is amazing! The violin really rings and all the vibrations come through. Apparently all the other kind of shoulder rests take away up to a third of the sound. My teacher and i both bought one - they're quite pricey but well worth the money. They're called the Stowemaster.

I had to share this with you because it just would'nt be fair to keep it to myself

That's been in our wholesaler's catalogue for few moths. I was interested to hear what it was like - it looks very strange.

Liz

Sounds very interesting... How is it comfort-wise? Any pics online that you know of?

It's very comfortable, the most comfortable i've tried and it's easy to store. Sorry, i don't know of any pics on-line. But i would definitely recommend it as the best shoulder rest on the market. It's the sound that is so amazing, it's just unbelieveable.

I'm not a violinist, but I found this pick, which I think is what it is:
http://stowemaster.co.uk/

Yes that's it!

That looks incredible. I'd love to try one.

yeah they look good..if you don't mind me asking how much was it? and do they come for viola?

I think they are about £75 and you buy direct from the manufacturer.
Jon

They're £79.95 if you ring Woodbridge Violins in Suffolk. They have a web page and speak to Russell Stowe - he is the man who made them! He is very friendly and helpful. I should imagine you can use them for violas, but ask him. Hope this helps!

Yes, you CAN use them for violas. Russell just told me by e-mail.

I think I'll get my girl one when she changes to 3/4 size. They don't come in half sizes.

Ouch! OK, I shan't be getting one of those anytime soon then... I'll have to stick to wolff!

Had a look and they look brilliant! Russell (via email) said that it works on the viola too. Daughter is just about to move up a size on the viola with a richer sound quality and she thought it looked a much better option than the current shoulder rest. So we will seriously consider it.