“As a beginner, I bought a good student viola locally. I realised after a few months that I would do better with a higher shoulder rest, and after research settled on the Wolf Forte Secondo as the most versatile.
Ordering from Simply for Strings, along with an AMEB Grade 1 book, got me free postage. Delivery was admirably quick, just in time to put the parcel under the tree for Christmas.
The Secondo is adjustable for width, though this takes a bit of wiggling, and small screwdriver. I have it set to the highest it will go without using the internal screw and tubing. The leaflet supplied covers all Wolf shoulder rests, and does not explain clearly how the internal screw is accessed. I discovered by chance that you unscrew the outside screw from the plate, revealing the internal screw. Then you pop the tube over that and screw the outside screw back on.
One of the photos on the Simply For Strings page is of the violin version, which is very similar.
Note the photo showing the placement of the shoulder rest on the instrument. I find that this works much better than putting the rest straight across as I did with the old one, and gives good stability. Placed straight across it does not fit the shoulder well, and the instrument will tend to rotate.
I can recommend the Secondo as a worthwhile upgrade, particularly if you need more height.”
