PIRASTRO KorfkerRest shoulder rest

PIRASTRO KorfkerRest®: Instruction Manual

For the full benefit of its features and to ensure a long life for your PIRASTRO KorfkerRest®, please read this instruction manual carefully before use. This manual applies to both the violin and viola models.

Bending the Rest

The PIRASTRO KorfkerRest® has been pre-bent to a shape that has proven to be comfortable for many players. A unique feature of this rest is that its shape can be changed by manual bending to fit the individual's anatomy, as seen in pictures 1-3.

1. Bending the rest 2. Normal bend 3. Maximum bend

WHEN BENDING THE WOOD PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND:

• The fibres of the wood need time to adjust to a new shape. Always bend the rest slowly and carefully. Fast and forceful bending will damage the wood and may cause cracking.
• The rest has a bending limit. By bending it slowly, you will feel when the wood cannot bend any further. Do not force it beyond this point.
• Keep in mind that even small shape adjustments can have a significant effect on comfort.
• Clamping the rest onto the instrument will increase the shoulder curve slightly.
• When the rest is bent and its shape altered, the legs might need to be readjusted (see «Adjusting the legs»).
• Ideally, after bending it to the required shape, give the wood 2-3 hours off the instrument to stabilize before playing.

Adjusting the Legs

Each leg has a Torx screw connecting the hinge joint with the base joint, and a Torx flange screw connecting the base joint to the wooden bridge. When tightened correctly, the locking rings prevent movement between the parts. These four locking rings are essential to the functioning of the rest and should be replaced if lost or damaged (6 replacements are included).

4. Ideal angles of the legs

Adjustments to the legs should be made in small increments. For maximum stability, it is very important that the shoulder leg and chest leg meet the instrument at a straight angle. When not attached, the two hinge joints lean slightly towards each other (see picture 4). To ensure the ideal position, any adjustment must be divided between both legs.

After changing their position, look at both legs sideways to make sure the adjustment screws of the rubber feet are parallel (see picture 7). When placed on a flat surface, all 4 tips of the rubber feet should touch the table. If they do not, adjust the tilt of the hinge joint of the chest leg. Always check that all screws are tightened after adjusting.

Narrowing the Rest

Increasing the angle of the hinge joint of the shoulder leg inwards (see picture 5) will narrow the rest and create a stronger clamping action. Loosen the Torx screw, move the joint to the desired position, and tighten the screw.

5. Angle of the shoulder leg

6. Angle of the chest leg

A similar adjustment needs to be made to the chest leg (see picture 6). To make the rest narrower, loosen the Torx flange screw and slightly rotate the base joint clockwise. After tightening the flange screw, loosen the hinge joint. Hold the rest down on a table with the feet parallel and fix the resulting angle by tightening the Torx screw.

Widening the Rest

Straightening the hinge joint of the shoulder leg outwards will widen the rest and create a weaker clamping action (see picture 5). Loosen the Torx screw, move the joint, and retighten.

For the chest leg (picture 6), loosen the Torx flange screw and slightly rotate the base joint anticlockwise. Retighten the flange, loosen the hinge joint, align the feet parallel on a table, and fix the angle with the Torx screw.

Adjusting the Tilt of the Rest

The tilt can be adjusted as seen in picture 7. Start with the shoulder leg: loosen only the Torx flange screw and slightly rotate the whole leg clockwise to increase the tilt, or anticlockwise to decrease it.

7. Straight and angled tilt

A small rotation will have a noticeable effect. After tightening the flange screw, loosen the hinge joint of the chest leg. Align the feet parallel on a table and fix the resulting angle by tightening the Torx screw.

Returning the Rest to its Original Position

In its original position (when not attached), the two hinge joints lean slightly towards each other. This provides the best grip on the instrument.

To reset, loosen all four screws. Point the rubber foot of the shoulder leg towards the centre of the rest (picture 8) and tighten the flange screw. Swivel the hinge joint up to the angle seen in picture 4 and tighten the Torx screw. Position the chest leg similarly, align on a table, and tighten.

8. Returning to the original position

The ErgoPack

Included in the accessories of the PIRASTRO KorfkerRest® Model 2 is the ErgoPack. It consists of a barrel-shaped joint (picture 10), a flat joint, screws, and locking rings. These joints significantly increase the number of possible positions and help adjust the Viola model to a wider range of sizes.

ErgoPack joints

INSTALLING THE ERGOPACK: To add an ErgoPack joint to a leg, install it between the base joint and the hinge joint. Be sure to insert one locking ring into each connection and tighten all Torx screws well.

The ErgoPack is especially useful for narrower violins, where standard narrowing does not provide stability. Many players also find that bringing the rest closer to the body gives more freedom to the left arm.

Most Popular Configurations Using the ErgoPack

NARROWER VIOLINS (S1 or C1):
With S1 the rest points over the shoulder, with C1 it lies towards the chest.

CLOSER TO THE PLAYER:
Use both S2 and C3.

FURTHER OVER THE SHOULDER:
Use both S1 and C4.

HIGHER POSITIONS:
To elevate the violin, use C2 + S2.

LOWER ON CHEST:
Use both S3 and C1.

Replacing the Rubber Pads

Starting at one end, remove the worn-out rubber pad. Peel the backing off a replacement pad. Align the round hole exactly around the Torx flange screw, then hook the other end over the large eye on the wood. While slightly flexing the rest, press down the middle part. Press the entire rubber pad strongly onto the wood (especially the edges) before playing.