We’re always on the lookout for new products that make a genuine impact in the performance of our instruments. The higher the performance level of the instrument, the more it makes sense to invest the time and money needed to optimize its sound and playability.
For cellists, nothing can be quite as frustrating as a wolf tone. I’m happy to go into the principles behind wolf tones in another post, but for now just know that it is the word we use to describe pitches (usually between E and F# on the cello) that do not speak clearly. There have been many solutions in the past, from wine corks under the tailpiece to brass weights on the afterlength of the strings…and some of these solutions still work well on certain instruments.
We received a shipment of Krentz Modulators recently and have been happy with the results. You can learn a little bit more about the product and how it works by viewing Krentz’s own video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5YznCPjzZM.
One positive facet of this product is that it not only helps with the wolf, it also offers some tone-shaping benefits. We’ve noticed improvement in both the fullness and focus of the lower strings by experimenting with placement.
At $150 for cello, you can’t call it inexpensive. It also doesn’t fit through the f-hole in every instance, so it’s important to test it first. We plan to keep them in stock for trial and purchase, so contact us if you’re interested in giving it a try!
NOTE – when installed, you only see the small magnet on the top of the instrument. It is simple to install (as long as you can fit it through the f-hole), easy to adjust, and can be turned “off” by pulling it to the lower corner of the c-bout.
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