Quincy - Posted - 03/12/2023:  21:53:37

Not to hijack another one's topic, I opened one with my specific questions regarding a new bow.

I have some budget aside for either the Codabow Luma or the Codabow Joule. I am not sure yet which one to choose. Do people generally pick bows in function of their fiddle ? I'd say yes, if you test out a bow you would want to hear it on your own instrument, right? But honestly I don't have the answer. 

The Luma:

Two things make me think : the Luma is what I need, but I don't know if I make the right assumptions.

Somehow I got the following idea: my playing is already very loud and my fiddle is already very brilliant. Could it be that a Luma might soften up things?

1)First assumption: Something tells me the lightweight feeling attributed to the Luma will give me no other choice than a more sensitive handling of the object and thus I think I might automatically start to play less loud and heavy. I don't know if this way of reasoning makes any sense. 

2) Second assumption: it says the Luma gives a more warm tone which might mean (at last that's what I think and hope) that it can soften that very clear sound of my brilliant fiddle a slight little bit; what is exactly what it could use if you ask me.

The Joule

When I hear the Joule being used , I find it sound more versatile, I find it sound better, but the description makes me fear this bow will only put the emphasis on the loudness and brightness of my current fiddle:

'JOULE boasts a powerful resonance on the bottom strings and strong projection across all ranges. ..This unique design allows the bow to grab the string and speak effortlessly whether playing deep whole tones or percussive chops.'

My fiddle already has a powerful resonance on bottom strings and a strong projection across all ranges. My fiddle naturally speaks effortlessly, that is my opinion. I mean: it's really not too hard to sound  clear and loud the same time on that fiddle. I bet if I gave my fiddle to someone who plays very soft this person would respond that it is a very loud fiddle.

Now how do I make a decision? I wish I knew someone around here with one of these two bows, so I could ask to test them out on my fiddle.

Edited by - Quincy on 03/12/2023 21:56:02

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 03/12/2023:  23:45:13

The Joule was developed for electric violins, which I believe was the reason for naming it after a unit of energy. That’s worth taking into consideration if you’re playing an acoustic violin.

Yes, it's common practice to pair a bow with a violin. It's good to try them yourself to see what you like and have someone listen as well to see how you're sounding at a distance. 

Edited by - The Violin Beautiful on 03/12/2023 23:49:48

Flat_the_3rd_n7th - Posted - 03/13/2023:  05:30:32

I have a Joule, but don't use it much. I believe the literature lists the balance point as more towards the tip, but mine has the same balance point as my Diamond GX--about 2/3s. I can say that the Joule is just plain heavier, though. I don't have the means to weigh it, but I can tell it has more inertia to overcome when you play fast and change bow directions. You can definitely tell if you're playing at the lower end (toward the frog)--your pinky gets a workout.

RobBob - Posted - 03/13/2023:  05:49:03

I have a Joule and I found it to be light and agile. Not my favorite bow but a real good one. I have two other Coda bows. One is S/N 200 from the original run of bows in the 90's and a Marquis from 2020. I love the Marquis especially in our humid summers and the Classic from the 90's is no comparison to either of the later bows.

DougD - Posted - 03/13/2023:  06:14:57

Here's a page from the CodaBow website that compares the qualities of their various models: codabow.com/pages/carbon-fiber...education

The Luma and Joule seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum, with the SX in the middle. I don't get out so much these days, but I don't think I know anyone who uses a CF bow , and don't think I've ever even seen one. One exception is a really good fiddle player who, last time I saw her, was using those colored composite bows with the colored hair. Whe one wears out she just throws it away and rosins up another one.

Edited by - DougD on 03/13/2023 06:20:36

kjb - Posted - 03/13/2023:  06:21:02

i have the joule, I think it was made for 5 strings , at least thats what I thought when I bought it. I am happy with it, but I don't have any other bow to compare it with so .. thinking of getting another one at some point and it probably will be a coda.

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 03/13/2023:  06:26:59

I auditioned the Luma, Diamond GX , NX and SX. I settled on the SX for Bluegrass and Fiddle tunes. I occasionally do play with my fiddle plugged in through a Fishman bridge and Amp. I found the SX to be the best all around choice for me and my fiddle, a Roth Guarneri model. I have recently had thoughts to audition a Marquis but have yet to spend the $$$$, my wallet shed a tear. R/

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 03/13/2023:  06:47:12

Codabow’s page on the Joule describes it as “the bow for electric instruments and extended range instrumentalists.” Weighing in at 61.5g, it's a little heavier than the standard, but it would feel much heavier because the balance point is shifted more toward the tip, which would make it feel tip-heavy and less agile. But as I was saying in another thread, balance is more important than weight, which is why I've played a 65g bow (which is considered monstrously heavy) that felt just like it weighed 60g because it was balanced so beautifully. I still wish I could've bought that bow before it sold, but I wasn't able to save up enough in time. 



Here’s a link:

codabow.com/products/joule?var...367638087

Edited by - The Violin Beautiful on 03/13/2023 06:56:06

Snafu - Posted - 03/13/2023:  07:23:17

I play a coda bow conservatory model. I can’t find any information on my bow (any one here play/know of this model?) but if you find one I’d give it a try.

Coda bow - Conservatory

 

Flat_the_3rd_n7th - Posted - 03/13/2023:  09:08:25

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Violin Beautiful

Codabow’s page on the Joule describes it as “the bow for electric instruments and extended range instrumentalists.” Weighing in at 61.5g, it's a little heavier than the standard, but it would feel much heavier because the balance point is shifted more toward the tip, which would make it feel tip-heavy and less agile. But as I was saying in another thread, balance is more important than weight, which is why I've played a 65g bow (which is considered monstrously heavy) that felt just like it weighed 60g because it was balanced so beautifully. I still wish I could've bought that bow before it sold, but I wasn't able to save up enough in time. 



Here’s a link:

codabow.com/products/joule?var...367638087

---

Rich, your link goes to the Viola Joule.  The drop-down menu will load the violin.  When I clicked I thought, holy cow, 845 USD?  That's 200 more than I paid 5 years ago.  Still, 765 for the violin Joule is inflationary, I guess.

Swing - Posted - 03/13/2023:  09:32:49

Usually picking... I recently tried the Marquis and found it tip heavy, while it sounded nice I really did not like the balance and then I tries the Escent.... it is in the same series as the Marquis... nicely balanced and easy to play.. I settled on it.... I suggest that you try both side by each .....

Play Happy

Swing

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 03/13/2023:  09:36:15

The Air Force Strings wanted carbon fiber bows for outdoor gigs, so they tried a few things and ended up ordering the Marquis model for the violin section.

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 03/13/2023:  12:47:07

Thanks for the input Swing. R/

dogmageek - Posted - 03/13/2023:  20:45:48

you have to play it and test it
unless it's cheap, price wise
that is. I have a Presto; don't
use it much; it seems kind of
dull on the fiddles I'm playing
for listeners which are fiddles
as loudest as I have.

Quincy - Posted - 03/14/2023:  00:20:08

Hey dogmageek, I guess you're right. Yesterday I put a question on a string forum ('Where can I try Codabows?') and got in contact with a luthier (I bought from him before) who is an official Codabow dealer.
I can call him in the afternoon to arrange a trial. I need to take care of the shipping cost, and he is more expensive than the luthier in Greece, but I know him: he is passionated about his craft and business and he will answer all of my questions. And ofcourse the opportunity to actually play them is more than fantastic.

fiddler135 - Posted - 03/15/2023:  08:59:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by Snafu

I play a coda bow conservatory model. I can’t find any information on my bow (any one here play/know of this model?) but if you find one I’d give it a try.

---

I have a coda conservatory, the bow I play regularly, for what it is worth. Unfortunately I don't have a joule to compare it to.

Snafu - Posted - 03/16/2023:  04:52:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by fiddler135

quote:

---

Originally posted by Snafu

I play a coda bow conservatory model. I can’t find any information on my bow (any one here play/know of this model?) but if you find one I’d give it a try.

---

I have a coda conservatory, the bow I play regularly, for what it is worth. Unfortunately I don't have a joule to compare it to.

You are the first person I have met in my fiddle travels who knows of my bow.  I understand it has been out of production for a long time.  I think it is perfect for fiddle tunes...  

Do you have any input on where the conservatory model bow places on the Codabow attribute scale Doug posted?  (Link reposted below for reference)

codabow.com/pages/carbon-fiber...education

Quincy - Posted - 03/17/2023:  23:27:28

After some consideration, I ordered the Codabow Joule for 639 euro and 9.9 euro shipping costs on a German website. It's already shipped and will arrive in 2-3 days.

If I tested out several carbon bows that would cost me another 40 euro shipping cost plus the full responsibility in case something would happen, plus this luthier asks 789 euro for a Joule.

After reading , listening and a better look at the design and knowing I struggle to play to the frog although I like it and considering the specific qualities of the Joule, I just decided to take the risk!!

Now I am waiting for my bow to arrive.

Quincy - Posted - 03/17/2023:  23:42:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by Snafu

I play a coda bow conservatory model. I can’t find any information on my bow (any one here play/know of this model?) but if you find one I’d give it a try.

---

Here is a description for the viola bow:

"The CodaBow Conservatory Series is crafted in the likeness of fine pernambuco bows, the CodaBow Conservatory Series boasts the highest performance, pre-professional bow shaft available. Through its tempered graphite fiber architecture, this bow shaft offers a sensitivity and controllability difficult to find in wood bows in this price range. The Conservatory is designed to give players beautifully balanced, accommodating and economic bow that will accompany them to professional levels of play. Intended for pre-professional use, the CodaBow Conservatory Series might be the plainer, less-refined, more economical cousin to the CodaBow Classic, yet it shares the CodaBow reputation for unrivaled sound and performance in its price range."

lashofviolins.com/shop/c/p/Cod...88403.htm

Quincy - Posted - 03/17/2023:  23:54:17

I just hope the Codabow Joule I ordered will bring me to the next level :-D
And although my violin can sound loud, it can sound quiet as well, if I apply the technique for playing quietly my teacher explained to me, this fact also made me choose for the Joule instead of the Luma. Plus since our band is becoming quite a big ensemble, strong performance will be needed. Anyway, I wanted a Codabow from the beginning !