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I purchased the Holstein Freedom Violin Chinrest, with viola barrels so that I could use it on my violas.
These look like a slimmed down Guarneri. I am not fond of Guarneri style chi rests and immediately change them out if they are on an instrument I get.
I decided to give this. shot because I have changed how I hold my instruments. I am trying not to face the fingerboard and watch the strings as much. I want to look more at the music, than my fingers. This looked different than others I have tried and decided to give it a try.
The first thing that I noticed was the my instruments opened right up. The sound projects more and is more clear. I am thinking that it is because it is very lightweight and there is not much to it? @Fiddlerman, can you confirm that as the reason my sound from both my 15 1/2" Fiddlerman Soloist Viola and my other viola that is 15 3/4" is more clear and seems to project more?
The instruments are also lighter on my shoulder.
Now, for the chinrest. I really, I mean, really love this chinrest. Again, I am very surprised. It is so comfortable. It gives just exactly the amount of grip I need. It does not cut into my jaw. notice, in the picture, the part of the tailpiece is flat and narrow. Perfecto! It is allowing me to hold my instruments the way I want to hold them.
I will be getting these for my violins in the near future. I just want to make sure there isn't something else I need before I place the order.
For the record, the viola is a 15 1/2" Fiddlerman Soloist in Amber. It is beautiful and sounds lovely.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
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Thanks for the review. I've been eyeing this since I still can't get to feeling comfortable and secure in playing.
The old curmudgeon!
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@Mouse - I believe that it does make a difference. Less material for more resonance.
Glad that you are liking it. 
Thanks for the review.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
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@Fiddlerman -
...so is this heavier or lighter than the carbon composite chin rest that comes with my new VIOLA ?
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That is a great question of which I have NO idea. Can you take off the chin-rest and weigh it? I'll weigh the Freedom Chin-rest if you do that.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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@Fiddlerman -
🤣 Was hoping for an answer before my Viola shipped.
Too late, now - I try to not mess with stuff that ain't broke!
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ELCBK said
@Fiddlerman -🤣 Was hoping for an answer before my Viola shipped.
Too late, now - I try to not mess with stuff that ain't broke!
Sorry,
But by now you HAVE to have received your viola. RIGHT?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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@Fiddlerman -
I hope you got my msg that I did!
Still getting acquainted, but I certainly don't use the whole chinrest - and since my viola is so much lighter than I expected, still thinking about it.
...but my Viola won't be 100% Carbon composite anymore!
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ELCBK said
@Fiddlerman -I hope you got my msg that I did!
Still getting acquainted, but I certainly don't use the whole chinrest - and since my viola is so much lighter than I expected, still thinking about it.
...but my Viola won't be 100% Carbon composite anymore!
That's a good point. LOL
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Ok, since installing the Holstein Freedom Chinrest on my 15 1/2" Soloist Viola, I have received another and installed it on my 15 3/4" viola. I am really loving this chinrest. It is working out really nice for me.
I will be ordering one for my violin next month.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
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Just got my Holstein Freedom chinrest today and I'm loving it. For the first time in almost 11 months of playing, it feels like I can easily control my viola and not have it slide away from me. And not only that, it looks great too!
The old curmudgeon!
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@Mouse , @JohnG -
Okay, I was on the fence about this, but seems I'm only using the edge of mine anyway.
Can't change out my chinrest on Mortimer, because it's full of electronics, but I can on Edgar, so worth a try!
Thank you, both! 🥰
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After more than 3 months of using the Holstein Freedom chin rest on my viola, I have to say that I am still in love with it! After 11 months of chasing my viola around on my shoulder with several other chin rests, this one keeps my viola under control 99% of the time. The other one percent is when I get careless.
@Fiddlerman - Thanks for a great product!
The old curmudgeon!
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I have to agree with you JohnG. I traded my violin in a couple weeks ago. I tried using the chinrest that came on it. I had to remove it and put the Holstein Freedom on it. Luckily, I remembered to remove it from the one I was trading in and put the one it came with back on, before I brought it in.
I do not know what it is about that chinrest, but it is so comfortable and gives me so much control of my violin, even though there is not much to it. I am still quite amazed because it still looks, to me, like a Guarneri that was shrunk. I can't use Guarneri's, but this little chinrest is perfect for side holding of the violin and more towards the front.
Thank you Holstein Team!
🐭
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JohnG said
After more than 3 months of using the Holstein Freedom chin rest on my viola, I have to say that I am still in love with it! After 11 months of chasing my viola around on my shoulder with several other chin rests, this one keeps my viola under control 99% of the time. The other one percent is when I get careless.@Fiddlerman - Thanks for a great product!
It really pleases me to hear that John. Thanks so much for your support.... 😁
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Random question for @Fiddlerman, can this be purchased but you switch out the hardware for brackets gold in color?
Ken
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@Kennon I would auggeat you contact Fiddlershop. You will get a quicker answer. We do not answer for Fiddlershop, we may think we know the answer, but we cannot speak for Fiddlershop, and Fiddlerman may be a while in answering.
It is a nice chinrest.
🐭
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Kennon said
Random question for @Fiddlerman, can this be purchased but you switch out the hardware for brackets gold in color?Ken
I'm confident that we can get that done. If you call Fiddlershop, ask for Roger and let him know that Fiddlerman said that we could do it.
Cheers!!!
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thank you @Fiddlerman, Roger actually reached out to me before I could call! My new Holstein Freedom chinrest (with gold hardware) has been ordered! I'm very excited! Excellent customer service as always! Thank you!
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Kennon said
Thank you @Fiddlerman, Roger actually reached out to me before I could call! My new Holstein Freedom chinrest (with gold hardware) has been ordered! I'm very excited! Excellent customer service as always! Thank you!
I'm very happy to hear it. I had sent him a message.
Sometimes as an owner you have to be proactive.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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