Bows for EUB?

[jgeary]

I'm new to the forum, and to the EUB.

Do many of you arco your EUB? This is pretty general, but are there particular weights of bows that might work best with an EUB?

At the moment I'm still debating between French and German style.

I've never purchased a bow prior to owning the instrument, but we are moving soon (prior to my EUB being built) and a local, large strings shop near where we currently live has given me about a $1000 credit. I'd like to apply it toward a bass bow for the EUB (Azola Gypsy).

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I realize this is not one's 'normal' order of events, but that's just the way it is....

Have a great day,

Jill
San Francisco

[damonsmith]

I play my EUB mostly arco. I recommend German for adult beginner arco players unless you played violin or 'cello.
The French grip takes a while to learn and the German is just easier to get started with.
If you need some arco lessons PM me, I am in Oakland.

[jsbarber]

For the first 6 months of my DB study I played an Azola Acoustic Bug Bass exclusively. I used an inexpensive German bow, and played through an amp (obviously). I think the same guidance as for a true double bass applies. The better the bow, the easier it is to play and pull out a good sound... You have to live with what you can afford. String selection is also important if you plan to play with a bow a lot, which I recomend. You should at the very least get together with Damon, and he can give you some guidance on bow makers and strings.

Jim

[jgeary]

Thanks Damon and Jim,

I PM'ed Damon this morning. I'm eager to learn the difference in the feel and/or tone of the French vs. German. I do have a 'cello (and also violin) background and, as much fun as I'm having with pizz, I'm really eager to see what bowing is all about with the bass.

Yes, not only do I need info about bows and bowing, but which strings are good for bowing the EUB and why. I'm sure Jill and Steve Azola will be very helpful with this too.

The Azola Gypsy has a shorter scale length than an acoustic upright, but because we'll be traveling all next year and possibly beyond, I'm opting for the smallest 'upright bass' I can find.

Jill

[Francois Blais]

Hi Jill.
I went to see this instrument on the Azola's website here:
http://www.azola.com/sys-tmpl/gypsybass/

It's a 34 inches scale instrument, and they wrote you can order it with either GHS or DR strings.
It obviously means it uses BG strings. (probably in extra-long lenght though, because there's a few inches between the string holder and the bridge)

I'm not sure how these strings will bow.
I suggest you ask the Azolas about that.

OTOH, you can get orchestral DB strings in fractionals.
Like Helicores, Flexocors, Chromcors, Super-Sensitive Red Labels, Corellis, Spirocores (although these ones may not be that great for arco work).
They may not be easy to find too.

I think you need 1/4 size ones for that instrument.

Hope this helps!
François

[jgeary]

Well, I know nothing about bass strings so I'm learning all that I can. Good point though. With that short scale length I'm eager to confirm that arco playing is possible. I've been advised that it is, but I'll confirm.

Thanks for the tip!

Jill

[Bard2dbone]

Originally Posted by jgeary

(snip)At the moment I'm still debating between French and German style.(/snip)

Originally Posted by jgeary

(snip)I PM'ed Damon this morning. I'm eager to learn the difference in the feel and/or tone of the French vs. German. I do have a 'cello (and also violin) background and, as much fun as I'm having with pizz, I'm really eager to see what bowing is all about with the bass.

Yes, not only do I need info about bows and bowing, but which strings are good for bowing the EUB and why. I'm sure Jill and Steve Azola will be very helpful with this too. (/snip)

If you're starting from a cello and/or violin background, you'll probably just want to go straight to French Bow. The biggest (basically only) differences in the two types of bows are the size of the frog and how you hold it to play.

French will be a smaller frog, held overhand. (basically just like you did on cello)

The German has a HUGE frog, and you hold it underhand, with your palm up. It's easier for people who've never played with a bow. It doesn't make your hand as tired while you're learning your technique. That's why most schools defaulted to German.

This part is simple prejudice on my part but at least I can admit that: Back when I was in school, we generally felt German was for beginners, and French was for 'when you got good enough to switch over'. It was sort of a rite of passage for all of us to 'get good enough' to switch over to French bow.

[T-34]

I play my EUB (Yamaha Silent Bass slb200) mainly with the bow. Bought the EUB specially for this purpose, to be able to practice silently late at night

I play with carbon french bow, german grip is not very popular here (see my location data )

Stock strings were quite bowable (Helicore Solos) but too low tension for me, i've put on the Tomastik Superflexibles to match my acoustic upright.

Amplified arco tone is not the best but still usable, actually better than arco through the BassMax piezo from my acoustic URB .