Professional Model Menuhin Shield Type Violin Viola Mute (Black)

I have used and still have one of the older translucent Menuhin mutes for many years, since the early 90s. I wanted to get a new one b/c over time the old mute has gotten looser and looser on the strings as the plastic has slowly worn away. I've been looking off-and-on for years with an increased sense of urgency as my old mute got looser. So I was very glad to see these mutes back on the market.The good: it has the same great tone as my old mute.The so-so: There's a bit more resistance to sliding it onto the bridge. I'm not sure if the angle of the bridge "lip" is different or what. It's not necessarily bad, but, does make sliding the mute on in a hurry every-so-slightly more difficult.The not-so-good: It's brand new...and from the start it's been loose on my strings. I have to jam it down onto the windings to keep it from rattling its way up towards the bridge while I'm playing. So...while it's successful at muting, it's a failure in being what I needed it to be: a tighter copy of a mute I love. I don't know if this is down to sample variation? I don't really want to order another just to experiment and see if it's *also* loose on the strings.If you are the manufacturer: the spacing at the edges of the top are good, it's got good resistance when you try to put it on the strings or take it off. However, the spacing towards the middle of the top is too wide by a hair. It should not be loose on the strings, it should hug the strings so that it requires a gentle push to move it around. If it's quality control, hopefully that can be improved; if it's design, try tightening up the spacing towards the shaft of the "arrow" just a bit more. I play a fairly sizeable viola, so the spacing on my strings isn't minute...I would imagine the issue with this mute would be even more pronounced on a violin with strings placed a bit closer together where the mute has even more space between top and bottom.

If you want to greatly decrease the loudness of your violin, buy a practice mute instead. This Professional Model Menuhin Shield Type Mute orchestral mute dampens the higher overtones to produce a muted tone quality and to decrease the overall impression of loudness a little. But I did not care for the rather dead sound the Menuhin mute produced on my violin. I tried out several mutes and of the ones that remain on the violin for a quick change during orchestral performance, I preferred the sound of the much less expensive Original Bech Magnetic Mute which I purchased from Amazon the same day. I stuck this one, the Menuhin, on my backup violin as my second favorite. Tone quality is subjective and each violin's sound is inherently different, but the Bech clearly sounds better on my violin than any of the several stored-on-the-violin mutes I've tried. I have another wooden mute whose sound I prefer over all the on-the-violin mutes, but it is impractical for quick-change. You may have to try several to find your favorite, but I feel that the Menuhin is overpriced for a mute that not just mutes but excessively muffles the sound of my fiddle. It might be the perfect mute for a brighter instrument.

This is by far one of the best concert mute designs on the market. I used to own a semi-translucent white version of this mute(this was about 16 years ago), when it was most likely manufactured by a different company, but I lost it, and have been searching for another one ever since. I assume Alpine bought the patent from the previous producer. It is easy to engage, and it stores elegantly when not in use. Unlike some other designs that also store in between the strings, it doesn't wear the strings down and doesn't require a magnet to stay in place. I think it sounds better than the ubiquitous tourte mute and the heifetz mute, although this is only one violinist's perspective, and your preferences may be different. I hope they resurrect the semi-translucent white version, and I will buy another, simply because it looks cool :) I still miss my old menuhin shield mute, but this is nearly identical, and it works just as well. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is the cost. I wish it were at least under $20. $30 for a mute? That's a bit excessive, isn't it? If I didn't already have experience with it, and didn't know that I loved the design, I don't think I could have pulled the trigger on this one...

Really good mellow mute, it doens’t raddle around like other cheaper mutes. Well worth the price which isn’t much. I’ve used magnetic mutes with the little magnetic clip that goes on the tailpiece but they are quick to get lost. These harken back to the Menuhin Mutes which are no longer made. I’d strongly recommend these mutes to everyone I know with one of those cheap mutes. Or just buy them as gifts. My only concern is that they it might strip away the winding on the lower end of the strings near the tailpiece that has yet to happen hopefully it doens’t happen. Since I just got the mute and put it on my instrument. I played it and creates a wonderful not muffled but mellow sound the brass circle does the job not too much tension needed to be put on the bridge itself. I did make the mistake of putting too much pressure while sliding it on the bridge tracking it with the full tension of the strings onto the top of the violin, luckily no violins were harmed during the testing of this fine mute after a brief scare all is well and it looks snazzy and sounds even better. Can’t wait for Orchrstra rehearsal and show off my new Alpine Mute! It’s a great alternative to most every mute out on the market and I can say that having tried almost all of them I could find this may be the mute for me!

I had High Hopes on this particular mute but unfortunately I have to admit the sound does not meet my expectations in terms of vibrance and color. Both my instruments are very soundy and very strong. I put this mute and they become like decolorized, completely lack of overtones very mellow and plain.

I have a 15 1/2 size viola and the mute was a little tight on the bridge but h the ensoñé was good

I’ve tried all types of mute now and was looking forward to this type recommended by another musician.Be very careful with moving this mute. When I pushed it towards the bridge, the bridge fell over over causing damage to the violin body from the underside of the tailpiece due to the released tension.I think the mute may have got stuck on the thread of a string. It did not take much applied force for this to happen so please take care. I personally will not be using this type of mute ever again.The tone was not as quiet as other mutes, but I can say it did produce a very pleasant and balanced sound compared to some others.On another point, I was unimpressed with the plastic mould feel of this particular product which makes it feel cheap. I think there are higher quality ones available.

When you play violin it is on your shoulder very close to your ears. As my violin is loud I find practicing for a long time is hard on my hearing. This mute is very small, makes the violin sound less harsh and quieter. It stays put even when I hang my violin on it's wall hanger. It is expensive but well made so should only need to be purchased once.

Works well. No vibration when placed over threaded part of strings

I think I have tried most of the violin mutes you can find on Amazon, but this one takes the cake! It fits on the bridge perfectly and doesn't obstruct the player's view of the bow or strings. And best of all, the sound the violin produces with the mute on is just as it is with it off – just subtly muted! I always thought that every mute would yield this result, but this is the ONLY one I have found that really does the job correctly. Sure, it costs more than the garbage-quality mutes that are out there in great numbers, but you will love playing with this one! That's the difference... and it's worth it!!

Pratica da alloggiare sulle corde e si usa quando occorre. Discreta e realizzata in materiale leggero, non dà alcun fastidio nei momenti di inutilizzo. Molto soddisfatta per come modifica il suono all'occorrenza.