No, but I owned a couple of `Golden Strad`bows of the same type of material in the 80`s.They were very good actually with a great spring and a touch heavy, which some players like.The thing I didn`t like about them was the Nylon or synthetic hair which wasn`t grippy enough no matter how much rosin you used.My bowing triplets sounded like a whistle!
"Conservatory" is the mid-level model of Coda carbon fiber bows (Aspire, Conservatory, Classic).
Haven't heard of the Steiner bows. I suspect we'll see more and more carbon fiber bows as pernambuco supplies dwindle and prices rise (although there is strong support--political and financial--among reputable bow makers to preserve pernambuco trees and habitat in Brazil).
The Coda bows are a good value for the money. I like the tone out of the Classics the best, and they are comparable to wood bows at twice the cost. It took a while to adjust to how the carbon fibre transmits string feel--the vibrations are somewhat subdued compared to a good pernambuco bow--but balance, stability, and responsiveness are all quite good. And for sessions, it's nice to have a basically indestructible stick.
I test drove a couple of Coda bows and found them a bit edgy (whatever that means) for my fiddle and my taste. I’m sure my limited experience figured into that. They seemed to be good bows, just not what I was looking for.
A few years ago, I heard part of a radio segment about a guy who makes bows from cheap hardware store materials and, of course, claims they sound as good as expensive wooden bows. I pictured horse hair and coat hanger, but I think it’s a bit more sophisticated than that. Did anything ever develop from that? Is the answer to my question wrapped up in the fact that I never heard of it again?
Given that synthetic bows should be very consistent, are there any generalizations to be made about them?
Will,
"It took a while to adjust to how the carbon fibre transmits string feel--the vibrations are somewhat subdued compared to a good pernambuco bow"
Bob, I wonder if the radio segment you heard is about the "Incredibow" - which had a discussion thread some time ago. The Incredibows apparently have a carbon fibre stick, reminiscent in shape of a baroque bow, and what I believe is nylon "hair". They are remarkably inexpensive and are now being used over here in the UK - I've seen two being used in a session this evening. Since both the stick and the "hair" are apparently indestructible they seem to be ideal for the rough and tumble of the average pub session (or a school orchestra for that matter!), but I have my doubts whether they'd be in the short list choice of a top rank performer.
A master bow maker in Bristol of international repute says that up to 80% of wood bows end up being rejected, and the maker finds it very difficult to tell whether the bow is good enough until it is complete. This goes a long way to account for the high price of the best pernambuco bows.
Carbon fibre bows are far more consistent in their manfacture and predictable in their behaviour than wood bows can ever be. but having said that there are subtle differences between them that can be picked up by a good player. I've been told these differences are mostly to do with the ebony of the frog which can vary in density and so affect the balance slightly.
A fiddle player I know who lives and works professionally in Hollywood was home in Bristol for a few weeks holiday recently and showed me her new Coda Classic. She said she tried out several before she found one that had the right balance characteristics for her.
If you use a good pernambuco bow you'll feel the vibrations of the string being transmitted to your fingers (another good reason for a relaxed light bow hold), just as you can feel the vibrations of the fiddle with your body, especially if you don't use a shoulder rest. With my carbon fibre bow I can feel virtually no vibration from the string, although the bow behaves as admirably in its balance, response and playability as my pernambuco bows.
While I'm on the subject, the fiddle neck is part of the vibrating structure of the fiddle, and you should be able to sense the vibrations of the neck with your left hand. If your left hand grips the neck too tightly then those vibrations will be damped and the tone of the fiddle won't be as lively as it should be. You get the same effect with the Spanish guitar.
Erich Steiner Carbon Fiber Bows
Erich Steiner Carbon Fiber Bows
Hi, fiddlers.
Has any of you tried a Erich Steiner Carbon Fiber Bow?
# Posted on February 14th 2005 by grymater
Re: Erich Steiner Carbon Fiber Bows
No, but I owned a couple of `Golden Strad`bows of the same type of material in the 80`s.They were very good actually with a great spring and a touch heavy, which some players like.The thing I didn`t like about them was the Nylon or synthetic hair which wasn`t grippy enough no matter how much rosin you used.My bowing triplets sounded like a whistle!
# Posted on February 14th 2005 by cos
Re: Erich Steiner Carbon Fiber Bows
are those the bows with the different levels??? ex. conservatory??
IF yes, then yes, i own one... and love it!
# Posted on February 15th 2005 by picking up that fiddle
Re: Erich Steiner Carbon Fiber Bows
"Conservatory" is the mid-level model of Coda carbon fiber bows (Aspire, Conservatory, Classic).
Haven't heard of the Steiner bows. I suspect we'll see more and more carbon fiber bows as pernambuco supplies dwindle and prices rise (although there is strong support--political and financial--among reputable bow makers to preserve pernambuco trees and habitat in Brazil).
The Coda bows are a good value for the money. I like the tone out of the Classics the best, and they are comparable to wood bows at twice the cost. It took a while to adjust to how the carbon fibre transmits string feel--the vibrations are somewhat subdued compared to a good pernambuco bow--but balance, stability, and responsiveness are all quite good. And for sessions, it's nice to have a basically indestructible stick.
# Posted on February 15th 2005 by Will CPT
Re: Erich Steiner Carbon Fiber Bows
I test drove a couple of Coda bows and found them a bit edgy (whatever that means) for my fiddle and my taste. I’m sure my limited experience figured into that. They seemed to be good bows, just not what I was looking for.
A few years ago, I heard part of a radio segment about a guy who makes bows from cheap hardware store materials and, of course, claims they sound as good as expensive wooden bows. I pictured horse hair and coat hanger, but I think it’s a bit more sophisticated than that. Did anything ever develop from that? Is the answer to my question wrapped up in the fact that I never heard of it again?
Given that synthetic bows should be very consistent, are there any generalizations to be made about them?
Will,
"It took a while to adjust to how the carbon fibre transmits string feel--the vibrations are somewhat subdued compared to a good pernambuco bow"
Could you maybe expand on that a bit?
# Posted on February 16th 2005 by Bob himself
Re: Erich Steiner Carbon Fiber Bows
Bob, I wonder if the radio segment you heard is about the "Incredibow" - which had a discussion thread some time ago. The Incredibows apparently have a carbon fibre stick, reminiscent in shape of a baroque bow, and what I believe is nylon "hair". They are remarkably inexpensive and are now being used over here in the UK - I've seen two being used in a session this evening. Since both the stick and the "hair" are apparently indestructible they seem to be ideal for the rough and tumble of the average pub session (or a school orchestra for that matter!), but I have my doubts whether they'd be in the short list choice of a top rank performer.
A master bow maker in Bristol of international repute says that up to 80% of wood bows end up being rejected, and the maker finds it very difficult to tell whether the bow is good enough until it is complete. This goes a long way to account for the high price of the best pernambuco bows.
Carbon fibre bows are far more consistent in their manfacture and predictable in their behaviour than wood bows can ever be. but having said that there are subtle differences between them that can be picked up by a good player. I've been told these differences are mostly to do with the ebony of the frog which can vary in density and so affect the balance slightly.
A fiddle player I know who lives and works professionally in Hollywood was home in Bristol for a few weeks holiday recently and showed me her new Coda Classic. She said she tried out several before she found one that had the right balance characteristics for her.
If you use a good pernambuco bow you'll feel the vibrations of the string being transmitted to your fingers (another good reason for a relaxed light bow hold), just as you can feel the vibrations of the fiddle with your body, especially if you don't use a shoulder rest. With my carbon fibre bow I can feel virtually no vibration from the string, although the bow behaves as admirably in its balance, response and playability as my pernambuco bows.
While I'm on the subject, the fiddle neck is part of the vibrating structure of the fiddle, and you should be able to sense the vibrations of the neck with your left hand. If your left hand grips the neck too tightly then those vibrations will be damped and the tone of the fiddle won't be as lively as it should be. You get the same effect with the Spanish guitar.
Trevor
# Posted on February 17th 2005 by lazyhound
Re: Erich Steiner Carbon Fiber Bows
Interesting, Trevor. Thanks.
# Posted on February 17th 2005 by Bob himself