The Houston is a high side mounted chinrest favored for its leverage and comfort. It was developed in Texas by a prominent violin and viola teacher who found his customers needed a modified version of the Brandt chinrest, so Figaro Importers developed this unique and new chinrest in cooperation with him.

At it highest point, it is 33 mm from the top of the instrument, giving a comfortable advantage to many players.

The Ebony (Diospyros ebenum) is pure black, harvested in Sri Lanka or the Chotonagpur Plateau in India. Then it is aged to assure stability and quarter sawn before being made into the individual parts.

The Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is harvested in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is originally off-white and air aged to assure stability. After sectioning into quarter-sawn boards, it is carved and then stained a tasteful orange-brown.

The quarter sawn rosewood(Dalbergia Latifolia), is harvested in north east India. It is aged in the log for a minimum of two years. Only large logs with the straightest grain are selected for our fittings.

The cork (Quercus suber) is the finest quality, fitted precisely to minimize acoustic interference and to maximize stability. The chrome fittings are all individually fitted by hand and are straight and thread easily. The Black brackets have the advantage of being less likely to produce sensitivity reactions for those players with nickel allergies compared to chrome brackets.

Figaro Importers fittings are carved precisely to maximize acoustic performance, strength, and durability.