REVIEWS

What others have to say about Anima Nova

Violin

»The carbon fiber soundpost Anima Nova gave my instrument a new life. It unlocked sound colors and abundant overtones I did not know existed there. After the initial impression I discovered that my instrument also gained warmth in its core sound and a quicker bow response which created a much more fulfilling and satisfying playing experience. I recommend with all my heart to anyone to give it a try and make their own mind!«

»Mr. Pal Molnar installed the carbon fiber soundpost he developed in my old (ca. 1860) violin. The D and G string responded a bit slow and the sound was a little boomy and dull. After the carbon soundpost was installed the sound opened up promptly, the violin sounded free, a little louder and the response was immediately better. Now after 6 month the positive result is still the same. I am satisfied with the carbon soundpost and strongly recommend a change to it.«

»Two months ago I had to return a Guadagnini violin made available by a friend and played by me for 20 years, so I was forced to reactivate my German violin built in 1800. But I was not at all satisfied with it: bad response, unbalanced, muffled sounding G-string, dull E-string etc. I was pretty depressed, when I was told about Pal Molnar's carbon fibre soundpost. After reading various reviews, I decided to contact Pal Molnar in the hope of achieving at least a slight improvement in the sound of my violin by an Anima Nova. To put it briefly: I am enthusiastic about the result. The violin is unrecognisable. The sound is wonderful, balanced in all registers on all strings, strong warm tone, easy response, simply sensational... This makes practicing and making music really fun again! I no longer miss the Guadagnini... Thank you very much, Pal Molnar!«

»It is almost two years ago (summer 2014) since we started installing Anima Nova soundposts into our instruments. By now we installed it into 5 instruments and tried them in various concert halls with different acoustical conditions and are consistently impressed by the results. We noticed the distinct improvement not only in the modern instruments, but also in the baroque violin and viola. Many thanks for this, Mr. Molnar!«

»For a long time I have been hoping for a solution, how to test different sound settings without having to order a new carved soundpost every time. So finally here it is: I was convinced instantly by the sound experience and the easy adjustment possibilities of the new carbon fiber soundpost – it has not left my violin ever since!«

»For three months the carbon fiber soundpost has been installed in my violin. Now the instrument responds a lot easier and has a considerably more resonant sound. I am very satisfied.«

Viola

»I have been using Anima Nova in my Grancino viola for almost two years, and I think it is fair to say that this viola has never sounded better! There is more depth and clarity to the sound, and at the same time the enhanced overtones bring a freedom and breath that makes playing this viola all the more enjoyable. Although Anima Nova can be very easily adjusted to the most minute setting, I have not had the need or desire to change it from its original setup. Congratulations on your remarkable soundpost!«

»The height-adjustable carbon fibre soundpost invented by Pál Molnár is a great help for every string player who wants to get to know his own instrument in a new and optimized way. With this invention, expensive, antique instruments are no longer required. My instrument was built in 2001. All the advantages of a modern instrument such as easy playability and easy and quick response are retained. Thanks to Anima Nova, a full, noble, overtone-rich and powerful sound, which has never been heard before in my instrument, is added. Finally a perfect solution at an affordable price for everyone.«

»If you would like to open the gates of the undiscovered treasure chambers of your instrument: Pal Molnar has the key! Anima Nova is his ingenious invention that awakens the instrument from a deep sleep and makes the truly searching musician happy. What a joy at this immeasurable and unexpected wealth of depth, fullness and colour: a new source of inspiration - enthusiastically recommended!«

»It is wonderful with the soundposts! Anything goes! You made me addicted to practicing!«

»Anima Nova has two significant advantages compared to the traditional soundpost: First, it offers the possibility to directly adjust the vertical dimension, thus finding the ideal tension between belly and back. Thereby, minimal changes are decisive. On the other hand, ball joints, which adjust to the particular conditions of the wood, cater for full vibration transfer. The sonic result is of striking evident nature. I can only compliment Mr. Molnar on this invention and thank him cordially. Anima Nova is the solution to an old string player’s problem.«

»I am extremely satisfied with my “new” viola. Some former difficulties have disappeared. The response got much easier, the instrument speaks more freely. It is just wonderful and it is great fun to practice. After being skeptical at the beginning I am now totally excited. I experienced a concert of Mr. Hahn in Switzerland where he was playing the “Ritter Bratsche”. The effect of Anima Nova was gigantic. The sound experience was exceptional. It is hard to believe. You have to hear and experience it. Congratulations Mr. Molnar and many thanks.«

»I'm so grateful I got this soundpost. My viola sounds wonderful - balanced on all strings. And it's much easier to play. The biggest change is the richness of overtones. And that  educates colossally to play in tune, because I hear immediately, if I don't play one hundred percent clean. I have already recommended Anima Nova to my fellow musicians.«

Cello

»Ever since I had my Anima Nova soundpost installed in 2017, I have sounded better and played with more comfort and confidence than ever before. With my post remaining in its ideal location, and expertly adjusted to accommodate any change in weather or instrument set up, my cello is literally in perfect adjustment, always. I personally regard this amazing invention as the most significant improvement in violin technology since Stradivari, and I recommend trying it to every string player on the planet!«

»“I’ve now been using the Anima Nova soundpost developed by Pál Molnár since 2018 and it is indeed an amazing invention. My cello once had issues with wolf tones, and thankfully they are now gone, and there seems to be a sense of freedom in the instrument’s resonance. I’m constantly telling cellists about Anima Nova, and will continue advocating for it. It’s a great investment for your instrument, vintage or modern, and you’ll find that it holds well and keeps your instrument more stabilized throughout different environmental climates, especially if you’re a touring musician. And if your instrument’s sound deteriorates due to major weather changes, all it takes is a small length adjustment. Bravo Pál!!!!«

»I use Anima Nova in my Gagliano cello since December 2017. The result is astounding: the length adjustment made it possible to find the optimal sound. The cello has never sounded so beautiful! Vibrating freely, focused and yet full of overtones, it is also much better able to prevail in the concert hall. The response has become more reliable and quicker. The wolf tone has almost dissolved, a wolf tone eliminator is no longer necessary. Altogether: simply great!  I unconditionally recommend Anima Nova. «

»I am fortunate to be able to play a D. Montagnana of 1720. It is equipped with Anima Nova. Anima Nova has opened up new soundscapes. I can even say that the new approach has improved my technique and thereby broadened my musical imagination. The sound has become more balanced. Due to the optimal tension within the instrument body, the instrument can "breathe" better, it reacts very well in every register and every dynamic!«

»I would like to thank Mr. Pal Molnar very much for the invention and production of his carbon fiber soundpost and for installing it in my cello. His predictions in regards to an enhanced sound spectrum and a more pleasant response came true. I am fully convinced!«

»I was lucky enough to be involved in the development from the very beginning: from a simple carbon rod to the completion of a high-tech carbon fiber soundpost. My enthusiasm for this soundpost has steadily increased. I am very happy to be able to use Anima Novas in my two cellos.«

»Following the success of the carbon bow, it is now time for the carbon fiber soundpost. The tension achieved using the carbon soundpost’s fine adjustment mechanism inside the instrument is a brilliant development. This makes it possible for every bowed instrument to reach its optimal sound quality – both in summer and in winter. My instrument sounds better than ever.«

»I would like to express my lasting joy about the new soundposts in my two cellos. My cellos got a lot more overtones through the soundposts so that the vibrato can be used less. The tones are easier to locate and the intonations are therefore easier to hear. It’s simply more fun to practice and play! Previously I tried to master the instrument, now I can concentrate much more on musical creativity. This is a fundamental improvement for every string player!«

»Congrats! You have achieved something special.«

Double bass

»I've been using the Anima Nova carbon fiber soundpost for nearly a year in both of my basses! I have found the sound of both basses, as different as they are, much clearer, much more controlled note length and a little darker notes above the first octave (g). And because of the way the soundpost is made, there is no need to take it in and out as the weather changes..... which any repairperson will appreciate! Thank you for your soundpost invention.«

» I have Anima Nova soundposts in two of my solo basses and am amazed at the transformation in both. The basses were already responsive, with strong and resonant tone, but the soundposts seem to have evened out the sound across the entire range of the instruments. I would have no hesitation in recommending Anima Nova soundposts to my friends and colleagues around the world and am very pleased to endorse Anima Nova and to be part of this new innovation in the continuing development of the double bass. «

»I have Anima Nova installed both in the beautiful Ferdinand Brückner bass of the Budapest Festival Orchestra and in my own new Krattenmacher solo bass. After the careful installation it was immediately clear to me in both cases: the sound became bigger, more sustaining, smoother, the instrument "breathes" much more freely and is clearly more balanced in all registers.  When changing registers the transition between the different registers of the instrument became completely natural.«

»Your soundpost is really spectacular! It is the perfect invention for making sure my instrument is sounding its best in every climate change I encounter.«

»I am very fortunate to own a very fine old Italian bass. I am always looking to find any tonal improvement, so when I became aware of the Anima Nova soundpost, I decided to give it a try. After the post was installed, I was astounded to discover quite a few large enhancements. My bass became more even throughout, a few wolf tones were diminished and it played easier than before. These were great things but the amazing thing was the quality and clarity of the tone was greatly improved and newer tonal colors emerged. Needless to say, this continues to make me very happy when I play. Thank you Anima Nova for a truly innovative concept and product!«

»Thank you so much Pál Molnár for creating the adjustable carbon fiber soundpost and installing it into my bass. Now, the sound is clearer, more distinct and the volume raised about 20 %. I can only recommend everyone to try out this brilliant invention.«

»I first heard about Pal Molnar and his carbon fiber soundpost in early 2016. My first reaction was very sceptical: “What? Carbon for the soundpost? Why such weird idea? Why would someone question the quality of wood that has been a material for soundposts for centuries?!” The enlightening moment came when during the following months I happened to play on 3 different basses that had just been equipped with Pal's invention. I had known all these instruments before and was astonished how they changed. Each of those basses was a completely different type-of-sound-instrument but the effect of the carbon fiber soundpost was exactly the same for all of them - quicker response under the bow and more centered, focused sound, resulting from increased vibration in its middle overtone-range (without loosing the high and low frequencies). I didn’t need more convincing - since late 2016 I am a happy user of Anima Nova in my Quenoil solo-bass. I have worked to constantly enrich the sound of the bass since I bought it in 2009 and the carbon fiber soundpost turned to be like a "cherry on the top of the cake". The instrument sings even more beautifully, responds quicker and by that is stronger-sounding and easier to play. Thank you and congratulation to your invention, Pal Molnar!«

»I witnessed the enthusiasm of several musicians of one of the leading symphony orchestras in Germany caused by the fitting of the carbon fiber soundpost. I had my personal light bulb moment when the inventor installed Anima Nova in my favourite instrument, which I have been playing for 50 years. In this instrument the soundpost creates a totally unimagined high-italian sound universe. It is not necessary anymore to change between solo and orchestra strings, because the soundpost allows orchestra tuning with solo strings. Thank you very much, dear Mr. Molnár.«

»The carbon fiber soundpost noticeably improves the sound as well as the responsiveness of my instrument.«

»Thank you for this genius idea and the perfect technical realization and for the friendly and personal support from you and your wife. Who would have thought that such improvement of string instrument making and sound optimization are still possible nowadays!«

»Lately I was able to witness how Mr. Molnar installed his new soundpost in some double basses of our orchestra. Because of the material I was sceptical at the beginning. But the results were in all cases so positive that it was not difficult at all to take decisions. There were some similarities: after the implementation of the soundpost all of the basses sounded more open and the sound was more sutainable. It is a great improvement that the pressure ratios can be changed under full string tension. You can hear the change immediately. Substantial improvement can be reached through the precise thread e.g. to adjust the high and low tone ranges. I had the carbon soundpost also build into my personal double bass and it had the same positive effects. Congratulations to this great invention.«

»I am very satisfied with the soundpost. It is really a sound revolution! That it makes my double bass sound better is a wonderful bonus! I think I will also buy a soundpost for my viola da gamba.«

Violin makers

»I first came into contact with the Anima Nova in 2019. A customer asked me to install it in his cello, which was having great difficulty with response. The changes that resulted from minimal pressure changes were so big that I suggested the soundpost to my customers who had been having problems with their instruments for some time (both violin and cello) to try it out. So far, all of them (about 10 of them; as of 2021) have left it in their instrument. The changes can vary from "phenomenal" to "only just noticeable", but have always resulted in an improvement. Instruments can be adjusted to become more balanced, more responsive, or wolf notes can be reduced or disappear completely. I learned during my apprenticeship how important not only the position and the fit, but also the length of the soundpost is, but never before has it been so convenient to control everything so precisely at once.«

»My experiences with Pal Molnar's new carbon soundpost are indescribably good. The technology is mature, precise and simple in the most positive sense. Within minutes it is possible for me in cooperation with the musician to achieve the optimal sound adjustment. When I display five violins at an instrument exhibition and equip two of them with Anima Nova, it is precisely these two instruments that are best received by customers and sold the fastest.«

»After the application of the carbon soundpost I am completely convinced that I can fathom the tonal character of any instrument to the maximum. The handling and the adjustments are accomplished without difficulty and should be carried out together with the owner of the instrument in order to fulfill his acoustical perception. Many thanks to Mr. Molnár for this ingenious implementation of an adjustable soundpost.«

»In my opinion Pal Molnar's Anima Nova is the most important and revolutionary reinvention in string instrument making for several centuries. Pal Molnar had the vision, the intelligence and the technical know-how to come up with this sensational enrichment of string instrument making. I have equipped three of my new instruments with Anima Nova. My experience: I am convinced that the spruce soundpost should be disused. Without this height-adjustable carbon soundpost, which adapts optimally to the arching of the top and back, the sound potentials of even the best string instruments will remain hidden forever!«