General Info: Otto Tempel Chinrests A1 = The space between the ...

General Info: Otto Tempel Chinrests
A1 = The space between the
cork-lined screw bottom and
the chinrest plate is specified
for all models. The A1
measurement is taken with the
chinrest screw fully tightened.
S1 = The barrel length is
specified for all models.
There are many reasons for buying a chinrest made in Otto Tempel's master
workshop:
• Elegant design. The graceful contours of Mr. Tempel's chinrest plates and
screws are based on the work of renowned masters. The titanium Mr. Tempel
uses makes it possible for the screws to have an extraordinarily small
diameter without compromising the strength of the chinrest. His titanium
screws are approximately 1 mm thinner than those found on conventional
chinrests.
• Exquisite wood. Mr. Tempel's chinrests are made of genuine French
boxwood from the Pyrenees. It has been dried naturally for at least five years.
The use of artificially dried wood is completely avoided because this wood
tends to be much more sensitive to changes in humidity due to the drying
process it undergoes.
Surfaces are solely treated with biological walnut and linseed oil.
• Natural cork. Both the screw bottom and the chinrest plate are lined with
natural cork. Cork is a natural raw material which is extracted from the bark
of the cork oak tree (Latin: Quercus Suber L.). Each individual cork cell
contains five layers which enclose a large chamber of air. Each cubic
centimetre of cork has up to 40 million such cells, resulting in an overall air
content of about 90%. Cork's chemical structure makes it naturally
impermeable to liquids and gases. The remarkable compactness and
resiliency that cork displays comes from the high flexibility of its cells'
walls.
Quality products for musical instruments Donaustrasse 51 94526 Metten Germany
Tel. + 49 - 991 9109 - 96 Fax + 49 - 991 9109 - 50
www.dick.biz info@dick.biz
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The cork oak is native to the Mediterranean region and is predominantly found
in Portugal and Spain. After 30 years of growth, the oak can be pared for the
first time. Subsequently, the oak can only be harvested every 9 years, as the
bark naturally splits off of the tree.
A photograph of a 212-year-old
cork oak in Portugal.
• Solid Titanium (TiGr2 or also Titanium 2) is simply the best material for
making chinrest screws.
Hypoallergenic. Titanium 2 is used in tooth implants and artificial joints. It is
gentle on the skin and does not cause any allergic reactions, making it ideal
for chinrest screws.
Corrosion resistant. Titanium 2 does not corrode when it is exposed to
perspiration, organic acid or even a strong inorganic acid like hydrochloric
acid. Uncoated titanium and titanium coated with the gold-coloured titanium
nitride will not show any signs of wear. Titanium coatings, unlike those made
of nickel and gold, will never become worn down or unsightly.
Reduction of Weight. The specific weight of titanium, 4.5 g/cm3 and the
high strength of titanium 2, Rp 270 N/mm2, allow the weight of a titanium
chinrest screw to be a mere 5 grams. A chinrest screw made of brass weighs
15 grams.
Quality products for musical instruments Donaustrasse 51 94526 Metten Germany
Tel. + 49 - 991 9109 - 96 Fax + 49 - 991 9109 - 50
www.dick.biz info@dick.biz
2

The weight of a titanium chinrest screw (left) compared to that of a brass chinrest screw
(right) using electronic scales.
Titanium screw, uncoated.
Titanium screw, uncoated. Titanium screw, with gold-coloured
titanium nitride coating.
Detail of Guarneri Model ebony chinrest
with solid titanium chinrest screw.
Quality products for musical instruments Donaustrasse 51 94526 Metten Germany
Tel. + 49 - 991 9109 - 96 Fax + 49 - 991 9109 - 50
www.dick.biz info@dick.biz
3

Otto Tempel, his wife Marianne Tempel (the heart and soul of
the business), son Knut, daughter Sybille Schlotthauer,
master woodturner and woodcarver, and her husband Dieter
Schlotthauer.
We hope Otto Tempel continues to ply his trade well into his nineties just like the
great Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737) did centuries ago. There is one area where Mr.
Tempel Sr. has already proven more successful than the famous Italian master. Of
Antonio's 11 children, only 2 became violin makers. Both toiled in mediocrity and
were unable to produce instruments close to the quality of their father's work.
The Tempel family could not be more different. While Otto Tempel is still capable of
crafting impressive products like his new diamond-studded ebony fitting set, his
daughter Sybille has expanded her line of hand-carved sets to include “the violinist”,
“the shawm player” and “the lily”; all works of impeccable craftsmanship and
unparalleled beauty. She is assisted by her husband Dieter Schlotthauer. Son Knut, a
master woodcarver and turner himself has recently taken over the family business
after years of working alongside his father. The German proverb “the apple does not
fall far from the tree” holds true. Like his father, Knut has set a high goal: to make
the Tempel name synonymous with elegant design, careful material selection and
excellent craftsmanship. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have the
opportunity to work with this most talented family with such a promising future.
What motif will grace Sybille's next set of fittings? Can the Tempels continue to
improve products that have already attained such perfection? We look forward to the
interesting and exciting years to come!
Quality products for musical instruments Donaustrasse 51 94526 Metten Germany
Tel. + 49 - 991 9109 - 96 Fax + 49 - 991 9109 - 50
www.dick.biz info@dick.biz
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