Burns-bass Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 Hi all, my intonation could do with a bit of work and while I play jazz pizzicato all of the time I’m well aware that bowing is the best way to fine tune things and get it bang on, so that’s what I’ll do. I’m not going to use it live, I’m not very rich and I’ve previously played French now, so I’m going to stick with that. Can you recommend some decent entry level choices? (Sub-£100 if possible) Any advice around size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HumblePie Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 Just buy a chinese carbon bow, that is probably the best you can do for very little money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 5 minutes ago, HumblePie said: Just buy a chinese carbon bow, that is probably the best you can do for very little money. That’s what I’ve been advised, but even then I’m still stuck on the appropriate size and just how cheap to go. If you have any links or personal recommendations that would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trimmo91 Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 (edited) Keep your eye on Ebay, FB marketplace for a decent second hand bow. I got a complete steal on Ebay. A second hand German bow. Don't know the info behind it but was a massive improvement over my cheap carbon bows, Chinese IPE bow. Is strong with black hair and has fantastic response. Edited January 20, 2020 by Trimmo91 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HumblePie Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 (edited) Trimmo is right, there might be some opportunities in the second market. If you want to go for a new one, I find these to be allright considering the price. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F171112144951 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F172611649133 Edited January 20, 2020 by HumblePie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 On 20/01/2020 at 20:03, Burns-bass said: That’s what I’ve been advised, but even then I’m still stuck on the appropriate size and just how cheap to go. If you have any links or personal recommendations that would be great! I remember it being said some while ago that the ideal balance of bow to bass is the bow should be worth about 1/3 - 1/2 the value of the bass. If, as it sounds, you're just after something for experimentation and practice then grab whatever you can afford and feels ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 2 hours ago, hubrad said: I remember it being said some while ago that the ideal balance of bow to bass is the bow should be worth about 1/3 - 1/2 the value of the bass Hmm .. did a bow maker tell you that? I have a really nice Arcus S4 Carbon bow that more than meets my needs and abilities, but "only" cost about 1/7 the value of my bass. For 1/2 the price (though probably not the "value") of a bass I'm thinking of buying I could have any bow that Thwaites or the Contrabasse Shoppe are currently selling (and will state a price for) or get the fanciest Arcus and enough change for a holiday! £1000 will get an excellent bow. £2000 will get a superb bow made by a first class maker to your own requirements, more than that gets antiques and collectables (and gold fittings). You could probably spend £250,000 on a double bass, but I doubt you could spend £100,000 on a bass bow ;¬) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 4 minutes ago, NickA said: Hmm .. did a bow maker tell you that? I have a really nice Arcus S4 Carbon bow that more than meets my needs and abilities, but "only" cost about 1/7 the value of my bass. For 1/2 the price (though probably not the "value") of a bass I'm thinking of buying I could have any bow that Thwaites or the Contrabasse Shoppe are currently selling (and will state a price for) or get the fanciest Arcus and enough change for a holiday! £1000 will get an excellent bow. £2000 will get a superb bow made by a first class maker to your own requirements, more than that gets antiques and collectables (and gold fittings). You could probably spend £250,000 on a double bass, but I doubt you could spend £100,000 on a bass bow ;¬) IIRC it was a couple of violin specialists, one of whom was quite sceptical about the price tags put on some instruments! Yes, I suppose once you're getting into mega price tags the game is different, but I was given that advice as rule of thumb at 'mere mortal' levels and in order to be getting the best out of each of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 True thing .. but I enjoyed checking out £100,000 basses and £4,000 bows! But I still think, for a really basic bass, say £1000, a £500 bow would still be overkill. In 1986 I bought a bass for £2000 and a bow for £80 .. and it did me ok for 20 years till I spent £800 on the arcus. Having said which, less than £100 / £150 might be a false economy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.