Best Type of Bow for Gut Strings?

[Pete G]

I'm new to these (wound) gut strings, but I'm coming to the conclusion that, between two otherwise fine bows, a lighter bow might be better than a heavier bow. What do you experienced gutsters think?

[Matt Weiner]

Soon, Pete G, you will do away with those wrappings and join the solemn, lonely ranks of the Plain Gutsters. Welcome to a Life of Misery.

No, really, I think you have asked another one of those questions that has no answer.

(The most infamous question being "What kind of steel strings can I put on my bass that sound and feel like gut strings?")

(The second most infamous is some kind of strange quantum mechanics equation/riddle where the money you pay for a bass is directly proportional to the somehow-quantitatively-measurable sound of the bass.)

There are too many variables--bow, weight, rosin, hair, strings, etc.

I still have not found many answers. I think there are none.

TBer Jason Sypher, who has since defected to the Rebel Steel Alliance (You'll be back, Good Prince Sypher), once gave me good advice when I was looking for some gut bowing pointers. He said, "get a quality bow you like, and practice."

[Pete G]

Matt, the thing I've always liked about you is your talent at afflicting the comfortable. I ask a question, and now I'm more confused than ever. I guess the problem is that it wasn't a "soup question."

By the way, if any of you folks want to hear a couple of the most AMAZING recordings you'll ever hear that prominently feature the bass (gut strings, natch, much of it bowed), check out Matt's "Ukeshack" CDs with Del Ray. This is gorgeous, original, smart, collaborative music-making of the first rank. I still listen to my purchased CDs all the time:

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mattweiner

The strings that drew me to the Dark Side of the Dark Side, by the way, are discussed in this forum:

Sonores Gut Strings by Gerold Genssler

[JGintheHam]

I used a Coda CF for a while and was very happy with the grab on my guts. That thing really had a bite to it. I sold it to a fellow gut TBer in Seattle. He had been searching for a bow that would grab his strings more consistently and was really happy with the Coda. It might be worth a PM to him to get an update. "Nathan Parker" is his username.

Tell him "Jeff from Bellingham says "Hi" and is very happy with the trade!"

FWIW. I did a lengthy comparison of all of the Coda bows from the Revelation to Infinity (German) and found that the differences between them were very minimal. I had several friends over and we all came to the conclusion that the subtle nuances did not justify the price difference.

[basshog]

Answer to the original question: your fingers, or whatever Paul Chambers' bow was

[Matt Weiner]

Those are very kind words and I appreciate them. Good luck sawing up those guts.

By the way, I was in the middle of an Anima thing when those recording sessions came up. I think on most, or at least some (or maybe all), of those recordings I have all Animas on the bass (a Kay), and there might be a few tracks where I have goetz plain gut on the D and G. I'd have to listen to see what is what.

[Pete G]

Originally Posted by Matt Weiner

Those are very kind words and I appreciate them. Good luck sawing up those guts.

By the way, I was in the middle of an Anima thing when those recording sessions came up. I think on most, or at least some (or maybe all), of those recordings I have all Animas on the bass (a Kay), and there might be a few tracks where I have goetz plain gut on the D and G. I'd have to listen to see what is what.

And I thought bowing plain guts was hard. Bowing Animas on a Kay?

You're the man, Matt...

[Bill Bentgen]

Pete,

You should probably give me that Lipkens bow (probably not good on gut) and get yourself one of those cheap Coda bows.

[Pete G]

Bill, have you decided to graduate to the more sophisticated and nuanced style of the Freedom bow? I thought you preferred a caveman style of bow...

[Bill Bentgen]

Originally Posted by Pete G

Bill, have you decided to graduate to the more sophisticated and nuanced style of the Freedom bow? I thought you preferred a caveman style of bow...

I just figured I could get a good trade-in when she finishes my German Bow!

[Matt Weiner]

Yeah, and when your wondering why you are trying to bow gut strings at all, go look at those videos of Jason Sypher bowing fiddle tunes. On the older videos he's on gut strings and sounding awesome. And, don't forget to check out Barbara Sanderling and David Sinclair recordings. Beautiful music, beautiful gut string arco bass tones.