Coda bass Bow?

[Kaden]

Recently i have been looking for a new bass bow. I have been considering the david gage coda bow and the revelations coda bow. My sister who plays cello has a coda bow and is very pleased with the tone she achieves with it. So i was woundering if anyone has any experience with using one or has any advice on any other bow i should consider.

Thanks!

[SevenReasons]

If your going to spend the money on the coda bow , go with the Metropolitan(David Gage). Its balance is much better and it is not that much more money.

[RayO5421]

I'll subscribe.

I've got the pretty much standard bow (mabey 50-150) that you'd find in pretty much any high school orchestra room. I'm beggining to play more upright bass then I was before so I'm kinda looking to upgrade as well.

I know wood bows can be expensive but how much are the Coda bass bows? Are they worth their price or should I just go for a wood one?

[Kaden]

Well all of the coda bows i have used have been great! The David Gage is anywhere form around $800 to $600 it depends where you buy it. I currently have a higher end Brazil wood and it is soooo much better than any school bow. But pernambucco bows are worth looking at as well. I tend to like pernambucco more than carbonfiber bows. The sound they produce is a more colorful sound where carbonfiber bows tend to be louder.

[dchan]

Originally Posted by Kaden

Well all of the coda bows i have used have been great! The David Gage is anywhere form around $800 to $600 it depends where you buy it. I currently have a higher end Brazil wood and it is soooo much better than any school bow. But pernambucco bows are worth looking at as well. I tend to like pernambucco more than carbonfiber bows. The sound they produce is a more colorful sound where carbonfiber bows tend to be louder.

I agree about the sound. Good carbon-fiber bows are balanced pretty well, play easily, and can really project. I think it's because of their hollow construction.

But the problem is they lack the warm and complex sound that a wood bow can produce. To some people with sharp ears, this can be their downfall. But to others who don't hear that much of a difference in the complexity, it doesn't matter.

I prefer wood bows myself because of that warm sound that they produce.

[BassMomof2]

Where did you find a metropolitan for $600? I can't seem to find one for less than at least $750 or so.

[toman]

I don't think the carbon stuff is advanced enough yet to be worth what it costs. There are wood bows in the same price range that, while not great, are definately better. My opinion is that while the carbon bows feel pretty good, the tone and projection just isn't there. They sound, to me, just like what they are. Plastic. Maybe someday carbon or other composite bows and instruments will be good, but it hasn't happened yet. I'd say go play as many bows, probably used, as possible, and get your teacher to listen and advise. After all, it doesn't really matter what it sounds like to you, but to the audience... Also, if buying a bass and bow, skimp on the bass a little and splurge on the bow. Its worth it.

[jallenbass]

Originally Posted by toman

I don't think the carbon stuff is advanced enough yet to be worth what it costs. There are wood bows in the same price range that, while not great, are definately better. My opinion is that while the carbon bows feel pretty good, the tone and projection just isn't there. They sound, to me, just like what they are. Plastic.

I disagree. Just as there are some good wooden bows and some crappy ones so goes it with CF. I have a Carbow Grunberger ($900) that projects great and is only slightly less interesting sounding than my old DeLuccia ($5000). Definitely not plastic sounding. My violinst wife, who plays a nice old Vigneron bow, heard the same qualities that I did.

[toman]

Originally Posted by jallenbass

I disagree. Just as there are some good wooden bows and some crappy ones so goes it with CF. I have a Carbow Grunberger ($900) that projects great and is only slightly less interesting sounding than my old DeLuccia ($5000). Definitely not plastic sounding. My violinst wife, who plays a nice old Vigneron bow, heard the same qualities that I did.

That's cool. I haven't played every carbon bow out there, so maybe some are better. I don't think most carbon bows are crappy, just inferior to most comparably price wood sticks. Add to that a slight bias against plastic, and there's my opinion.

[jallenbass]

I didn't mean to put words in your mouth. Sorry about that. Crappy is one of my choice words. Anyway, there are crappy CF bows out there but they are usually in the lower price range (though i've played some pretty nice inexpensive ones). The ones that I've played around the $1000 area are worthy of pro (working musician) status. If I were still auditioning I could not blame my current CF bow if I didn't win an audition. Losing is all in the hands!

[escofhari]

When did carbon fiber and rosin become plastic?
Carbon or graphite are not plastic and rosin nisnt either. Plastic is a poymeric protein that has been synthesiized.
Big freekin difference in the universe the difference between a Black Hole and a spot on my carpet. not related. [jus mi too scents]

[Russell Bergum]

Originally Posted by dchan

I agree about the sound. Good carbon-fiber bows are balanced pretty well, play easily, and can really project. I think it's because of their hollow construction.

But the problem is they lack the warm and complex sound that a wood bow can produce. To some people with sharp ears, this can be their downfall. But to others who don't hear that much of a difference in the complexity, it doesn't matter.

I prefer wood bows myself because of that warm sound that they produce.

+1
My experience exactly. I have a CodaBow Revelation, and compared to my high school bow, it's great. But compared to my Tom Owen bow, it lacks warmth and depth.

[LouisF]

That was exactly my experience with both the Metropolitan and the Carbow versus the Tom Owen bow: "lacked warmth and depth"

LF

[Aleph5]

Originally Posted by escofhari

When did carbon fiber and rosin become plastic? ... and rosin nisnt either. ...

Don't you mean resin? Who said rosin is plastic? If you're going to nitpick down to the molecular level, you ought to get your nits right.