Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, 
The Comford Violin Shoulder Cradle stands out from other shoulder rests on the market today. Unlike popular models like the Kun, which attach to opposite sides of the violin Play the Violin - A Whole Novice's Guide - The violin, also known as a fiddle, is a bowed string instrument. It has four strings that are tuned in perfect fifths. The violin is the smallest and highest pitched member of the string instrument family, which also includes violas and cellos. Although playing the violin can be quite challenging, when mastered, it produces a… with two sets of feet, the Comford Cradle features a more intricate set of bendable rods that secure on both sides of the lower bout, just below the c-shaped cut-out. This positioning allows the Comford Cradle to rest on your collarbone, providing what the manufacturer claims to be a more stable, natural, and comfortable support.
The Comford Cradle is available in various models. There is the gold model, which comes in tall and medium sizes, and the plastic model, also available in tall and medium sizes. The plastic model is notably cheaper and slightly lighter. The tall version is quite tall, and even the medium size adds significant height.
However, there are two major issues with this shoulder rest.
Firstly, it is exceptionally thick. It appears to almost double the weight of the violin. Even though the plastic model is somewhat lighter, it is still the heaviest shoulder rest I have ever tested.
Secondly, and perhaps more significantly, this shoulder rest noticeably affects the tone of the instrument compared to any other rest I have evaluated. The company claims that the rest has a hollow “resonating” chamber that enhances the sound by making it sweeter and mellower. In reality, this translates to a muffled and muted sound. In my opinion, it takes considerable audacity to assert that a shoulder rest can genuinely “improve” the sound of a violin. Tell that to the owner of a Stradivarius and see how far that claim gets you. In fact, the most significant flaw a shoulder rest can have is its impact on the sound. The fact that the Comford Cradle does affect the sound should be considered a design flaw rather than a benefit.
For me, the Comford Cradle is a last-resort shoulder rest option. It should only be considered after trying all other options and only if the Comford is the only one that provides the desired level of comfort.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
