fiddlinsteudel - Posted - 11/07/2013:  14:19:04

I was wondering if there any generalities you could say about stiff bows or soft bows. I tried out a Luma bow for a while and it was a really really stiff bow compared to my wood bow. I'm still not quite sure which I liked better. Anyway trying to figure out if I want to get a new bow or not. Any advice?

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 11/07/2013:  14:37:50

IMO A fiddler always wants a better bow. A fiddler might say, he needs one. In my fiddle journey the longer I've played fiddle the lighter and more flexible the bow I use has become .....62 grams feels a little heavy now... and I used to insist on it .... I do have one bow that is 57 grams but it is too floppy so I may one day grow into it or I may not.... Having two bows around that you like is a must .. if only for re-hairing periods. I have one carbon graphite bow that is light and a good mix of stiff and flexible. I use it at high humidity events. Generalities ...... stiff bows require a little less " lean into it " because the bow is doing part of the work also they don't bounce so much....... Flexible bows allow more suttle inflection in tone and require a little less energy to move around....... Enjoy your Bow hunt .... R/

fiddlinsteudel - Posted - 11/07/2013:  14:43:23

Thanks UP

MikeyBoy - Posted - 11/07/2013:  15:49:58

Keep auditioning bows until you find one that makes it noticeably easier to play than your current bow. Can't say much as far as stiff v. soft, but I did notice a huge difference when I upgraded from cheap fiberglass glasser to Coda Aspire (discontinued entry level bow around $200), and then again upgrading to a Joule. Bowing took less physical and mental effort. From what I have read on the internet, until you start getting up over $1000, you get much more bang for the buck with CF than wood. And CF bows are more durable, mostly unaffected by temp or humidity. YMMV.

blockader - Posted - 11/07/2013:  17:44:01

My limited understanding is that stiffer bows will be faster and more responsive, since your bow arm movements will not be partially spent bending wood prior to sound production. I didn't trial the luma, but i thought the joule was the stiffest of the codabows i did trial, and its the one i chose, like mikeyboy. They were all much stiffer than my wood bow, and not as warm. When i play my wood bow now it seems sluggish and syrupy, but i have never played a real expenive wood bow for comparison. 

wooliver - Posted - 11/08/2013:  05:37:43

Stiff bows are less forgiving, but more responsive. As an interesting contrast to UP's post, I personally think it takes less effort to play a stiff bow, than a soft bow. Unfortunately, you can also pay more for stiffness and camber. I've found better bows at better prices in pawn and antique shops, if you keep an eye open. 

ChickenMan - Posted - 11/08/2013:  16:55:07

Isn't the hair much more affected by humidity than the bow? I've had bows run out of tight in humid conditions. I have a bow that is perpetually tight just for such occasions.

carlb - Posted - 11/09/2013:  05:24:31

My fiddle sounds different with different bows. I usually choose the one that brings out the sound of my fiddle more rather then choosing stiffness or weight..

wooliver - Posted - 11/11/2013:  05:58:00

quote:

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Originally posted by ChickenMan



Isn't the hair much more affected by humidity than the bow? I've had bows run out of tight in humid conditions. I have a bow that is perpetually tight just for such occasions.

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Zat the same bow? Sounds like you got one bow that's been "short haired," and one bow that's been "long haired." Sure, hair being softer stuff is more susceptible to humidity. I've had bows haired too long and too short as well. I've watched the TY on rehairing. You'd think for the thread length and slot length, a guy could sort of aim for the middle. I've never rehaired a bow, so i wouldn't know from personal.

ChickenMan - Posted - 11/11/2013:  09:59:09

I had three bows go slack and yes the one bow is short haired, it's also been that way since I got it with the old fiddle it came with. The other bows work fine in average conditions. I'm talking, cooling evening on a humid summer day and as the temp drops the humidity rises to 100%

fiddlepogo - Posted - 11/11/2013:  14:33:54

Stiff bow = more precision.... but you have to have the chops to be able to USE that precision.

"Soft" bow = more forgiving... but at some point, it could hold you back in developing the precise chops you will need.

Good for a beginner though, or even for someone coming back to fiddling after a long time away.

Edited by - fiddlepogo on 11/11/2013 14:34:22

Reilly-Byrne - Posted - 11/12/2013:  05:56:40

I have a 64gr, but well balanced, wooden bow and a 60gr composite bow. The wood bow has a richer tone, but the composite is a little easier to move across the strings. Also, the carbon fiber, composite bows give you stiffness with less weight than a wood bow.