No 4 -- New Harmony

Introduction:  After a few years of experiencing the ups and downs of the internal wolf eliminator, the cello world was ready for a fresh approach.  This is when New Harmony came up with a solution so elegant I had to wonder why it hadn't come along before.

About the New Harmony Wolf Eliminator:  The New Harmony is almost minimalist in its apporach.  A simple brass cylinder is held in its place on the string simply because the string-slot in it is wave-shaped.  Thus, it is secured by string tension.  Genius!

Fit & Finish:  By now, you are aware of my dislike of wolf eliminators with moving parts.   This is the only one-piece on the market, and I find its simple, machined-brass  look quite unobtrusive.  The New Harmony comes in a range of weights and sizes, from a tiny one-gram cylinder for violins to a chunky 24-grammer for basses.  This is part of the greatness of its design, but also a drawback -- one size doens't fit all!  It can take a while to figure out which weight gives you optimal results, especially since you also have to find the right string to put it on, as well as where on the string to place it.  However, as it simply slides on and off the string, this is a relatively painless procedure.  As I found out by trial and error, heavier doesn't always work better.

Price:  The New Harmony wolf eliminator retails at around sixteen dollars; additionally, an allowance must be made for time spent fitting it.  Typically, at House of Note we end up charging about thirty to thirty-five dollars for the "package".

Conclusion:  I like, and use, this wolf eliminator a lot.  Someone I know has commented that in their experience, it can deaden the sound of an instrument, but I personally haven't noticed that.  I find it inexpensive, fuss-free, and generally successful, and have no hesitation recommending it.