NEW PRODUCTS

FEATURED PRODUCT

VIOLIN BRIDGE

Holding up

A 3D-printed bridge offers a more affordable alternative to its wooden counterpart

According to Viowiess CEO William Wiessmeyer, a ‘perfect storm of reasons’ led to the development of his company’s RZN 3D-printed violin bridge. ‘New materials were coming out in 3D printing, manufacturing prices were decreasing, and the pandemic changed how players access bridge-cutting services,’ he says.

To create the product, his company uses stereolithography, where lasers harden liquid resin into shape. As a stable polymer, the material ‘doesn’t expand or contract with temperature changes,’ says Wiessmeyer. At 1.7g, the first RZN violin bridge weighs less than a typical wooden bridge and, Wiessmeyer asserts, gives freedom for alterations to be made in the future: ‘This is a reference model that we can now use to build a library of other variants depending on customer requests. The beauty of 3D printing is that we can iterate very quickly.’

The RZN’s X-shaped design represents the area where most vibrations occur on a conventional bridge. Although Wiessmeyer says it is ‘comparable in sound quality to wooden bridges’, he adds that he doesn’t want the two to compete: ‘Wooden bridge cutting is an art, and I want to respect that.

The chances of seeing a RZN bridge on a professional musician’s instrument are slim. We’re targeting younger, DIY musicians who are more willing to adopt new stuff – either because they don’t have access to a luthier or because they want to customise their instrument.’

A classically trained violinist himself, with a ‘hardcore luthier’ father, Wiessmeyer says, ‘I know the industry well enough to understand the challenges it faces. I’m concerned that if we don’t evolve the art form, it dies. I see this as an opportunity to make it more accessible.’ With colour customisation on offer, Wiessmeyer welcomes the product’s unique look: ‘I’m optimistic that younger generations will embrace it over the next few years. Whatever gives the musician joy when they take their instrument out to play is what matters to me.’

Viowiess RZN violin bridge $16.95 email contact via website web www.viowiess.com

VIOLA AND CELLO STRINGS

MATCH PLAY

Thomastik-Infeld has added viola and cello sets to its Dominant Pro range. For viola, the company set out to create a chromewound carbon steel A string that would blend with a responsive synthetic D and G, and supplement a projective tungsten- and silver-wound C. For cello, the company claims that its carbon steel, chrome-wound A and D strings complement the set’s dark nickel- and tungsten-wound G and C.

Dominant Pro string sets for viola and cello €111.93 and €192.86 email info@thomastik-infeld.com web www.thomastik-infeld.com

VIOLA CASE

LIGHT AS AIR

Gewa has added a viola case to its Air range. Made from thermoplastic, it includes a leather handle and neoprene straps, and it is designed to absorb impacts and insulate from temperature changes. It also features the adjustable neck pad currently featured in Gewa’s Air Luthier cases. The case fits 13–17-inch violas and weighs 2kg.

Gewa Air viola case £559 email info@gewamusic.com web www.gewamusic.com