Patented Bass Bar
Every string instrument has a bass bar - the wood piece inside that enhances the quality of sound and impacts the volume. Dr. Zaret has developed a new design for the bass bar which allows precise and effective adjustment to achieve the most desirable qualities of sound in all instruments.
- Violins – big, brilliant, deep, rich tone
- Violas – deep warm tone, excellent power, easy response
- Cellos – deeper sound on lower strings, more sizzle and power
- Basses – deep, booming sound with great power and response
Dr. Zaret's bass bar has been independently tested by Norman Pickering and Oliver Rogers, both world renowned acousticians.
View their technical data/test results
Bass Bar Installation Prices
Violins: $1,500*
Violas: $2,000*
Cellos: $3,000*
Basses: $3,500*
*Or 10% of the value of the instrument, whichever is greater
Hearing is Believing
"I tried your violin briefly and it has an extraordinarily vibrant sound." Isaac Stern, internationally renowned violin soloist, recording artist and patron of the music world.
"I want to thank you for showing me your violins with your new bass bars during my recent visit to Norfolk. It was a great pleasure to play on the instruments. I didn't have to force the sound. It came out with a natural beauty." Robert McDuffie, internationally renowned violin soloist.
"The before and after results of Peter Zaret's new bass bar are amazing and astounding. I have sent him two violins. He has demonstrated the ability to greatly improve the volume and quality of the sound. He also seems to be able to transform the sound in any direction he wants to." Miran Kojian, formerly the Concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra for 15 years and a former member of the Cleveland Orchestra.
"Amazing, unbelievable...this may be the way the violins of the future will sound." Claire Hodgkins, Assistant to Jascha Heiftez for twelve years.
"The results when you put your bass bar in my 1991 Asvaldo Fiori viola were incredible: the overall sound is huge, the C string is very deep and full, and no touch of nasalness can be found. The instrument vibrates to its full capacity and the response is wonderful just as on a fine violin... In my opinion, Peter, your invention is revolutionary for the violas and violists and you have my full support." Amir Shiff, Principal Violists Philharmonica Hungarica-Germany.
"When I tried your viola during the intermission of the last concert I was both surprised and amazed. The tone was unbelievable. It was even throughout the registers. From the open C string all the way up each string. Every note was rich and full and responded with great ease to the bow...The overall sound is clear and pure without the fuzziness that one associates with quite a few violas. What struck me even more was that there were no wolf tones!" Jorge Mester, Internationally acclaimed conductor and Music Director of numerous orchestras and festivals, winner of multiple awards, recording with numerous major orchestras. Director and developer for 21 years of the world-class educational institution, the Aspen Music Festival.
"My violin sounds fantastic. I can't believe my good fortune. There is ample reserves of power, evenness across all the strings, easy response, wonderful overtones and that dark mellowness which is a delight to my ear. It used to be that only the privileged few had access to this classical sound, but now thanks to your excellent research it is available to all at a very modest fee if they be wise enough to grasp the opportunity. The bottom line must be that I now possess a violin which though relatively inexpensive in today's market has been transformed by you into an instrument the equal of the best Strads or Guarneris extant. Your Patented Base Bar is bound to change the face of the stringed instrument business world and facilitate the development of music and musical talent in the future. I thank God for your genius and I thank you for changing my world of music for ever." Leo Harris of Glosna House.
"I've been playing on my violin every day since you and Mr. Mao worked on it, and I can't believe my ears! The sudden blossoming of the sound is truly extraordinary. I am overjoyed and incredulous. This very ordinary violin which had so many problems now sounds like a million dollar instrument. It speaks easily, the sound is rich and focused, all the notes sound full, and most amazing of all, it's all due to your incredible bass bar, without which the sound of the violin was noticeably small and dull. We'll be going to Paris at the end of the week, and I can't wait to play the violin in a quartet reading. Your bass bar might be the biggest advancement in the art of the violin in 300 years! Thank you both once more for all the work you did and the time you gave to us over two days!" Ken Fung of the Sidney Cox Library of Music and Dance.
