Anyone taking their rubber grips off?

JoeyNaeger · #1 09-29-2009, 10:49 PM

So I've been using one of those rubber grips on my bows for years now. Over a year ago, I acquired a new bow and took the grip off of my other bow to put on the new one. I never actually got a new grip for my old bow so I've just been using it without one. Usually it doesn't bother me to switch back and forth between having a grip and not having one, but one day during practice, I noticed that the grip on the new bow was really inhibiting my feel and seemed to make the bow feel a lot clumsier. I immediately took it off and haven't looked back since. I initially started using a grip to make life for my thumb easier, but that doesn't seem to be an issue anymore. I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation. I know Jeff Bradetich has tried the rubber grip and didn't like it, and I think maybe I understand why.

JtheJazzMan · #2 09-30-2009, 05:22 PM

Been thinking about it. I chew through rubber grips every 2 months or so, which is odd because my grip is light, so I think the tubing I bought was just soft.

On 2 french bows now, the first mod I did on them before the rubber grip was rounding off the frog with a small rotary tool, where my thumb goes to provide a more appropriate surface for the thumb to sit on. Not by much, just enough to take the sharp angles off.

dchan · #3 09-30-2009, 08:15 PM

I didn't notice that much of a difference on/off. So I leave it on because it's a little more comfortable and it adds a little bit more weight to my bow.

sjd007 · #4 09-30-2009, 08:28 PM

I recently bought a nice German (French style) bow - it was a little tatty to look at and didn't have the leather or silver wire. I rubbed it down with 1200 grit paper and oiled it (not the hair!!) and never got around to getting the "grip" replaced.

I have found no detriment playing it, either comfort or timbre, so have left it as is loooking quite nicely bohemian. I have a couple of backup bows and despite all the creature comforts on those I much prefer this one. Then again, who knows, maybe if I got it "finished" it might be even better. So far I have not found the need to stray away from the naked wood. Lovely nice satin feel...

Les Fret · #5 10-02-2009, 02:20 AM

are you talking about the grip where you rest your first finger on?

JtheJazzMan · #6 10-02-2009, 03:38 AM

Nah, this would be the rubber tubing that you have to slide onto the bow yourself. If you put your thumb on the edge of the frog where it meets the stick the rubber provides a more even surface for your thumb.

Les Fret · #7 10-02-2009, 04:30 AM

Do you have any pics of that? Cause I don't understand what you mean. I have two bows but they don't have the rubber thing you are talking about (I think).

JtheJazzMan · #8 10-02-2009, 05:00 AM

Yep

Attachment 141875

Les Fret · #9 10-02-2009, 06:23 AM

Thanks, never saw one of those before.
Is it just so that the edge is less 'sharp' and therefore more comfortable for your thumb?

I always put my my thumb more down at the frog. Not at the bottom of course but at the more round part of the frog, like on the Andrew Anderson videos.
It feels more stable and I have better control over the bow and also my thumb gets less tightened.
Are more people (besides Anderson obviously) using this grip? and what are your thoughts on that?

JoeyNaeger · #10 10-02-2009, 09:19 AM

I've tried that grip and use it occasionally, but it's not what I'm comfortable with. People who are influenced by the Rabbath method are generally the ones using rubber grips FYI.