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| Everest Shoulder Rest 4/4-3/4 Flamed Maple Wood Pattern |
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| Close-up of Wood Pattern |
Introduction: While exhibiting at NAMM this year I had the pleasure of meeting the inventor of the Everest Shoulder Rest -- a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and an engineer. As he explained certain features of his design, I realized how much technical thought had gone into producing this product. With its sturdy feet, designed to avoid excessive contact with the sides of the violin, and shape engineered to fit the human body, this rest has found a home in music shops across the country -- and, at an affordable price. In my studio, I have used the traditional black colored body (along with the brightly colored versions that the kids love) especially for students with long necks, or who have had difficulty finding a comfortable rest in the past. Often, the Everest is the only one that actually works for them. Shoulder rests are a bit like shoes -- when they are comfortable, life is good. When they are not, playing violin can be quite uncomfortable. In addition, I have noticed that the Everest works particularly on small sizes, a real benefit to both teacher and student.
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| Thick Padding |
Fit and Finish: The Everest line all share the same overall shape, pad, and foot design. But the Flamed Maple Wood Pattern Rest is a real stand-out, with its professional grade good looks. Although made of plastic, the wood looks real, and does not suffer from expanding and shrinking like the real thing. As with the other Everest models, the padding is thick and comfortable yet grips without slipping.
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| Everest Foot |
While the Everest feet may have a bit of an industrial look to them, they have been engineered for minimal contact with the violin to avoid altering or muffling the sound. Further, unlike feet by other manufacturers, Everest's black feet are very durable -- I've never seen a single foot fail -- unlike rests where a tube of plastic that eventually wears out is the only thing protecting your instrument from getting scratched by the shoulder rest. In my experience, Everests are, in general, very durable.
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| RoHS Compliant |
RoHS Compliance: The Everest is RoHS Compliant. RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliance is actually a European standard not required for imports into the United States. Its stamp should guarantee that a product is free from certain hazards including Lead and Mercury. Shoulder rests often come in contact with skin, and so it is good to know that users of the Everest need not worry about lead exposure. It is an often overlooked but real truth that many imports into the United States that are used by violinists in close contact with skin may actually contain dangerous substances -- particularly lead. This danger extends to rosin, which produces dust that can be inhaled, as well as to chinrests and shoulder rests. In my opinion, it is worth considering, when comparing a brand to an imported generic knock-off, whether safety is worth the added expense of the "real thing."
Usability: Like the rest of the Everest line, this one fits easily and grips nicely, even when there is very little lip to the ribs of the violin. Typically, it stays in place nicely without sliding. Although it does not offer tilt, I have yet to find a tilting rest where the tilt can be locked in place. In fact, after just a bit of playing, these tilting rests often end up with the tilt in the opposite direction of where I had it set.
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| Everest Bottom View |
Conclusion: Offering beauty, durability, and excellent fit, the Everest Flamed Maple Shoulder Rest is truly the total package.
Price: Violin can be an expensive enterprise for a parent, with $50 shoulder rests, $50-$100 string sets that must be continually replaced, and the added cost of lessons, repairs, instrument rental/purchase, bow rehairs, sheet music, and the list goes on. The Everest Flamed Maple Wood Pattern retails for $21.99, and is one of the least expensive rests on the market. In a world of no free lunches, this combination of value and quality is a rare find.
