Some time ago I asked about some pointers on getting a new bow. A couple of folks suggested calling Shar Music and Southwest Strings as they have a try before you buy program. I just got four bows from Shar which I have for a week or so to try out.
VB55 44 Meinel Pernambuco Violin Bow 4/4 Size 89.00
VB23 Jeandel Carmaux French Pernambuco 249.00
CG2 SIL 44 X Carbon Graphite Violin Silver Black 219.00
VB1 44 Becker Brazilwood Violin Bow 4/4 Size 139.00
I'm going to have some more experienced players give me their opinions on these bows. Of course, ultimately I'll pick the one that I like the tone and feel of best but was wondering if anybody here had played w/any of these bows and what they thought of them, particularly the Glasser carbon graphite bow.
Price for price the better quality graphite bows out perform the wood ones of the same price. Loosely you'd have to pay twice that for a wood bow of comparable quality ~ unless you were lucky... As far as graphite I don't have a Glasser I've a Coda and it is a prize... I did some work with a friend with pernambuco, it is very difficult to get decent wood anymore, a lot of it being useless for bows. The 'original' species used on the old bows has gone extinct and the alternates have never really come up to the same standard. I have seen and tried some lovely ones made with alternate timbers, like snakewood, a beautiful wood but one that some people have an allergic reaction to.
You have a good mind though ~ asking the help of experienced players. What would be a kick would be to have them together so they can chat about it and you can be party to that. At the prices you've given, and seeing as you are considering spending as much as 250, my money would be on the Glasser. You can then start saving up for a pernambuco for a good pernambuco for around 500 to 700 on up...
Don't foget to let us know your decision, and what those 'experienced players' had to say, for everyones benefit...
I just bought a Glasser braided carbon fiber bow a few weeks ago and recommend it highly. Definitely give this one a try. I've played with the Glasser Carbon bow that sells for about $175 for several years now. It brought out a big, full sound from my violin but as I progressed, it felt a little heavy, not letting me get the articulation I want. The braided carbon bow draws out the same full, resonant sound as the other bow, but is amazingly nimble and balanced. I've tried quite a few bows, and this one beats any pernambuco bows I tried priced up to five or six hundred dollars. Shar or Southwest has it for around $350. I bought mine from Nashville Violins for $295. Check out nashvilleviolins.com. I've been lurking on the session for over a year now, but decided I needed to join to let you know about this bow. I like it that much!
I did a quick check on prices and, at least for the braided Glasser, and you shouldn't have to pay more than 300 and I'd bet you could probably bargain it down to somewhere between that and the 250 you had as your high mark. If I was in the market for another bow the new Glasser would be one I'd want to give a try ~ but I also have a bow maker as a friend, which gives me an advantage when that time comes around next...
I'm not sure if it's the exact same model, but I've been using a Glasser CF bow for a couple of years, and have never found a wooden bow (that I could afford) that was any better. It was at least as good, in my hands, as anything under about $800. I think to get the best of out the best equipment, you really have to be a true virtuoso.
I hope to give an "Incredibow" a try in the near future; the literature, the look, and a lot of rave reviews over on the FiddleForum have intrigued me....
But, even if the Incredibow is great, I doubt it will completely replace my trusty Glasser CF.
I think the Incredibows are great as second bows - you need to try one or maybe even several. We sell a lot in the UK and occasionally people either swap them for another or just buy more than one. The people who love them, love them!!
I did a lot of bow shopping last year and I have to agree that the carbon fiber bows are dadgum remarkable. I bought a used Coda Classic (top of their line) for about $600 after trying wooden sticks for up to $1400. The Coda is very smooth. I took it on a visit to my friend who builds and buys and trades and always has a gazillion fiddles around his shop. We tried it on a variety of pretty good fiddles as well as a few fiddle-shaped objects. It sounded warm and clear on the nice instruments and even smoothed out the squawkers so they were actually tolerable.
Dunno what opportunities you have in Juneau, but most reputable shops I know of will let you take home a bow for a trial period. Go shopping if you can. Remember, the instrument has two halves - the fiddle and the bow. A good fiddle needs a good bow and it's okay to spend more on the bow.
Hi,
carbon is an interesting material. It's incredibly resilient and very consistent. Roby Lakatos is using an 'Artium' bow from www.irishfiddles.com.
He does some amazing things with it.
New bow
New bow
Some time ago I asked about some pointers on getting a new bow. A couple of folks suggested calling Shar Music and Southwest Strings as they have a try before you buy program. I just got four bows from Shar which I have for a week or so to try out.
VB55 44 Meinel Pernambuco Violin Bow 4/4 Size 89.00
VB23 Jeandel Carmaux French Pernambuco 249.00
CG2 SIL 44 X Carbon Graphite Violin Silver Black 219.00
VB1 44 Becker Brazilwood Violin Bow 4/4 Size 139.00
I'm going to have some more experienced players give me their opinions on these bows. Of course, ultimately I'll pick the one that I like the tone and feel of best but was wondering if anybody here had played w/any of these bows and what they thought of them, particularly the Glasser carbon graphite bow.
Thanks...
...Kevin
# Posted on August 20th 2006 by atftb
Re: New bow
Price for price the better quality graphite bows out perform the wood ones of the same price. Loosely you'd have to pay twice that for a wood bow of comparable quality ~ unless you were lucky... As far as graphite I don't have a Glasser I've a Coda and it is a prize... I did some work with a friend with pernambuco, it is very difficult to get decent wood anymore, a lot of it being useless for bows. The 'original' species used on the old bows has gone extinct and the alternates have never really come up to the same standard. I have seen and tried some lovely ones made with alternate timbers, like snakewood, a beautiful wood but one that some people have an allergic reaction to.
You have a good mind though ~ asking the help of experienced players. What would be a kick would be to have them together so they can chat about it and you can be party to that. At the prices you've given, and seeing as you are considering spending as much as 250, my money would be on the Glasser. You can then start saving up for a pernambuco for a good pernambuco for around 500 to 700 on up...
Don't foget to let us know your decision, and what those 'experienced players' had to say, for everyones benefit...
# Posted on August 20th 2006 by ceolachan
Re: New bow
I just read you are in Alaska ~ extra consideration for the graphite...
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by ceolachan
Re: New bow
Let me know when you start the thread about rosins, that should be a kick...
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by ceolachan
Re: New bow
I just bought a Glasser braided carbon fiber bow a few weeks ago and recommend it highly. Definitely give this one a try. I've played with the Glasser Carbon bow that sells for about $175 for several years now. It brought out a big, full sound from my violin but as I progressed, it felt a little heavy, not letting me get the articulation I want. The braided carbon bow draws out the same full, resonant sound as the other bow, but is amazingly nimble and balanced. I've tried quite a few bows, and this one beats any pernambuco bows I tried priced up to five or six hundred dollars. Shar or Southwest has it for around $350. I bought mine from Nashville Violins for $295. Check out nashvilleviolins.com. I've been lurking on the session for over a year now, but decided I needed to join to let you know about this bow. I like it that much!
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by Danal
Re: New bow
I second that!!! Carbon fiber braid is amazing stuff...
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by ceolachan
Re: New bow
http://www.glasserbows.com/about.html
http://www.glasserbows.com/braided.html
http://www.codabow.com/
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by ceolachan
Re: New bow
I did a quick check on prices and, at least for the braided Glasser, and you shouldn't have to pay more than 300 and I'd bet you could probably bargain it down to somewhere between that and the 250 you had as your high mark. If I was in the market for another bow the new Glasser would be one I'd want to give a try ~ but I also have a bow maker as a friend, which gives me an advantage when that time comes around next...
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by ceolachan
Re: New bow
I'm not sure if it's the exact same model, but I've been using a Glasser CF bow for a couple of years, and have never found a wooden bow (that I could afford) that was any better. It was at least as good, in my hands, as anything under about $800. I think to get the best of out the best equipment, you really have to be a true virtuoso.
I hope to give an "Incredibow" a try in the near future; the literature, the look, and a lot of rave reviews over on the FiddleForum have intrigued me....
But, even if the Incredibow is great, I doubt it will completely replace my trusty Glasser CF.
# Posted on August 21st 2006 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: New bow
I think the Incredibows are great as second bows - you need to try one or maybe even several. We sell a lot in the UK and occasionally people either swap them for another or just buy more than one. The people who love them, love them!!
# Posted on August 24th 2006 by Mark Harmer
Re: New bow
I did a lot of bow shopping last year and I have to agree that the carbon fiber bows are dadgum remarkable. I bought a used Coda Classic (top of their line) for about $600 after trying wooden sticks for up to $1400. The Coda is very smooth. I took it on a visit to my friend who builds and buys and trades and always has a gazillion fiddles around his shop. We tried it on a variety of pretty good fiddles as well as a few fiddle-shaped objects. It sounded warm and clear on the nice instruments and even smoothed out the squawkers so they were actually tolerable.
Dunno what opportunities you have in Juneau, but most reputable shops I know of will let you take home a bow for a trial period. Go shopping if you can. Remember, the instrument has two halves - the fiddle and the bow. A good fiddle needs a good bow and it's okay to spend more on the bow.
# Posted on August 25th 2006 by Bob himself
Re: New bow
Update ... I got my Incredibow, yesterday. It really is great!
It's extremely light and very easy to control. It also brings out a clearer and louder ton e from my fiddle.
Right away, I had an easier time getting my bowed triplets to sound more like what I hear in good recordings....
# Posted on August 30th 2006 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: New bow
Hi,
carbon is an interesting material. It's incredibly resilient and very consistent. Roby Lakatos is using an 'Artium' bow from www.irishfiddles.com.
He does some amazing things with it.
# Posted on November 23rd 2006 by martinmcclean