STRING PROTECTOR FOR VIOLIN E-STRING

Joseph Gold, Concert Violinist and Music Critic

The WITTNER "E string protector" is a neat little devise. Its express purpose is to prevent breakage at the loop end of a violin "E" string when using an English style tuner. This it does very well. The protector is a small plastic part that fits easily into the tuner. A violin maker friend keeps the protector in place with a small drop of "Super glue". Be careful when doing this! I wondered if the protector would have any affect on the tone of a violin. To prove my theory, I made a scientific experiment. In short, the protector will prevent breakage at the loop end of the E string. It does have a small affect on the tone of the violin. It reduces, by very little, the high overtones of a violin. This is an advantage when the violin in question has a soprano (ie. shrill) tone.

Recommendation:
Use the protector if
1) you experience the E string breaking at the tuner, and
2) if your violin has a shrill tone and you want to reduce the high overtones.

Joseph Gold Concert Violinist and Music Critic