Posted by albert52 on Monday, July 4, 2011
When buying a bow for your violin/fiddle it is a good idea to take your instrument with you with your existing bow(s). Try the new bows on your instrument and this will give you a better idea. If you can try to get the seller to allow you a week trial period with the new bow. When I spend anywhere from $500.00 to $1,000.00 for a half decent bow, I would like to know this is the one.
My supplier on the east coast will allow me a 2 week period where I may return the bow. but I have not had to, as I have been able to try out that makers bow either in thunder Bay, Toronto, or in Winnipeg.
I have spent about 4 years looking for the "perfect' bow for one of my violins and have learned the following:
When choosing a bow there are many things to consider. Remember every thing you might ask of your instrument
you can expect the same from your bow. Here are some points you may compare when choosing a bow.
I have 2 bows that I use constantly, one being Carbon Fiber (round) @ 62 grams, and a Dorfler wood (octagon) 62 grams. The Carbon fiber actually feels lighter than the wood one. I use the carbon fiber more for "fiddling" and the wood for classical. If I am looking for volume I use the wood stick.
The carbon fiber is a round stick, nicely balanced but I find I have to "push" more into the stops and drones, where the wood seems to allow me a lighter touch on strokes.
2 comments on “A little bow Rant”
bj Says:
Tuesday, July 5, 2011 @8:18:02 AM
One other thing-- as our playing improves what we need out of a bow changes, so . . . upgrades seem to be inevitable eventually, providing we have the dough to do so.
Right now I'm not truly happy with any of my functioning bows. The two that feel good in my hand and behave the way I want 'em don't pull the tone I want. The one that pulls the best tone isn't as easy to control. ** sigh! **
albert52 Says:
Tuesday, July 5, 2011 @2:17:09 PM
It's nice to know someone else has that problem...the new one I have seems to be teaching me how to bow. The 2 bows I am happy with are in the range of $160.00 to $200.00 range, but this new one I got on sale from $800 for $650 (Dorfler octagon) is a bit of a challenge. The one thing is it really pulls out the stops for tone balance. I like the sound of my HOPF with the other 2 bows, but this one is the cat's meow to the other 2. Absolutely gorgeous for upper positions. Mind you I paid a couple of extra bucks for the rosin for it...Kaplan Premium.
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