Carbon Fibre Bows

[PedalB]

Hi - looking for some informed views on Carbon Fibre Bows . I have two decent traditional french style bows,I've had them a long time. One of them is probably
going to need replacing one of these days , so I'm just having a look around at whats available. I have no experience of carbon fibre bows whatsoever and am
keen to hear from those who have. In particular I'm interested to know about the following - (1) are they able to provide a suitable an consistant tension to the horse hair (this afterall is the main purpose of the bow) (2) is the wieght/balance similar to a traditional bow-important for a variety of reasons,one that comes to mind is when the bow is held vertically in the palm of the hand whilst playing short pizzicatto passages ; (3) once in a blue moon we are asked to play col-legno (laughably used as a brand name for one manufacturer) this involves striking the string(s) with the back of the bow , how do carbon fibre bows
compare ,does this cause them to chip ?. (4)knowing that carbon fibre can be immensely strong in some ways but brittle or weak in others I wonder if after being in use for some time the carbon fibre would start to wear around the frog tensioning nut. (5) Have any of you had other issues with Carbon Fibre bows?

Cheershttp://basschat.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

[Duckyincarnate]

Some info [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=64167"]here[/url].

[27 frets]

The link referred to by 'duckyincarnate' takes you to a discussion which includes mention by myself and another player to the Yita Music carobon fibre bows, which are available on eBay.
After a few months mine still seems to be doing well, but not being a particularly advanced player I can't comment on how well it would work when playing 'col legno'
For the money (3 models - up to £109), they're definitely worth a try.

Edited February 8, 2010 by 27 frets

[endorka]

I'm still getting on great with my Yita CF bow after several months of use. To answer your questions:

1) It would appear to do so.
2) The weight/balance is an improvement on my old bow, which was described by most as "reasonable". I find the CF bow excellent in this way, and can execute the arco/pizz/arco switch you mention with surprising grace.
3) No idea about the long term effects of col legno, sorry.
4) I've seen no evidence of this, but it's early days yet, although I can't see it being a problem.

Jennifer

[PedalB]

thanks for the info folks ,begining to think I might try one

cheers

[Greydad]

[quote name='PedalB' post='740514' date='Feb 10 2010, 12:11 AM']thanks for the info folks ,begining to think I might try one

cheers[/quote]

Hi PedalB, I actually have two bows at the moment and one of them is a carbon fibre one, so since you're only about 3 or 4 miles away you're welcome to try it out if you like.

GD

[Bilbo]

[quote name='Greydad' post='741024' date='Feb 10 2010, 02:16 PM']Hi PedalB, I actually have two bows at the moment and one of them is a carbon fibre one, so since you're only about 3 or 4 miles away you're welcome to try it out if you like.

GD[/quote]

This place is bl**** brilliant!

[Greydad]

He hasn't replied yet - maybe he doesn't like purple carbon fibre bows

[PedalB]

[quote name='Greydad' post='743847' date='Feb 13 2010, 11:42 AM']He hasn't replied yet - maybe he doesn't like purple carbon fibre bows [/quote]


Hi,
just catching up - been away for a day or two . a "purple-bow" that sounds funky ,and yes thanks for the offer would love to have a scratch with it sometime. Whilst on this
subject I see adverts for bows and the advertisers are stating things like 'suitable for 3/4 basses' - not sure that I understand this ,a bow is what it is , and if your arms are
long enough a full size bow (whatever that is) should be suitable for any size of bass ,never really thought about bow length before just assumed they were all a similar length.


[url="http://basschat.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif"]http://basschat.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/url]

[Greydad]

[quote name='PedalB' post='743892' date='Feb 13 2010, 12:24 PM']Hi,
just catching up - been away for a day or two . a "purple-bow" that sounds funky ,and yes thanks for the offer would love to have a scratch with it sometime. Whilst on this
subject I see adverts for bows and the advertisers are stating things like 'suitable for 3/4 basses' - not sure that I understand this ,a bow is what it is , and if your arms are
long enough a full size bow (whatever that is) should be suitable for any size of bass ,never really thought about bow length before just assumed they were all a similar length.


[url="http://basschat.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif"]http://basschat.co.uk/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/url][/quote]

PB I'm going to be heading over to Burnham in a short while so if you PM me some contact info I can drop it off

[daflewis]

hi,
I have mentioned this in another thread, can't find it off hand...

One thing you will notice when you try a carbon fibre bow is that they tend to "squeak" a bit more easily; not such a problem for an experienced arco player but worth noting.

Cheers,
Daf

[PedalB]

Hi,
thanks for the info,I wonder what the reason for this is-assuming that the grade of horse hair is the same and that all other factors are the same ,(strings ,rosin etc), is the carbon fibre bow not able to transfer pressure to the string as well as a traditional bow ? .Have you experienced this issue with a French or a German style bow (or both)?. The list of your gear makes me go green with envy - my wife would have shot me years ago if I'd aquired half that much gear.

Cheers

[chrkelly]

Hi PedalB,

I recently bought a Finale bow from the String Emporium over in the states and I'm very impressed with it. It came to £300 exactly incl. shipping and import taxes etc. That also included a bow case and a cake of Kolstein too. I bought it as a spare to my PW Bryant bow and I'm surprised by how well it handles. It's balanced quite close to the Bryant and draws sound very easily and at reasonable volume too. It does sound a bit synthetic in the higher registers though when bowing very close to the bridge and vibrates a bit too much on the open C at full volume. But for all the money it cost, it's brilliant. I only wish I had one when I was learning, I would have progressed a hell of a lot faster.

[url="http://www.stringemporium.com/carbon-fiber-upright-bass-bows.htm"]http://www.stringemporium.com/carbon-fiber...t-bass-bows.htm[/url]

Edited February 19, 2010 by chrkelly