looking for a good yet specific orch bow

CTakacs · #1 12-17-2008, 01:26 PM

I've been using my Karr model carbow for a couple years now and now realize I need another bow for orchestra playing (the Karrbow is still doing great for my solo playing, except when i come from orchestra rep class and have pops caked on the hair). Anyway, i'm asking for recommendations on a good german orchestra bow, but that also meet some requirements. I love the length of the carbow, so this bow needs to be around 68 cm long. Weight close to, maybe a little heavier than 140 grams. Pernambuco stick. Easy to control, even bounce, etc. I've tried the Steven Reiley bow at Guarneri House and fell in love with it, but then realized I cant front $4,000 right now, so i need something in a reasonable price range ($500 - $2,000 tops). Any advice where to look?

foilracer · #2 12-17-2008, 02:38 PM

Consider a pre-owned bow. We all have favorites and $$$
always counts. I like my Reid Hudson german bow. You may like another maker...you'll need to compare and have someone
play on your bass for you with all of the favorites...good luck
and take your time making a decision.....

mrmann · #3 02-10-2009, 05:39 AM

For $2000 you could get a real master bow. I think I've seen some Döllings sell for that, and that's where we're really starting to talk. You seem like a rather serious student? I'd say save your bucks until you can actually afford one of those bows that just makes you wet your pants. If you buy a bow for a grand, the risk is that, if you progress properly, will be dissatisfied with it in only a year or two. I did that myself, got some one thousand Romanian bow when I was 18, and ended up buying an Otto Dölling for over four times that only a year and a bit later. One thinks I could as well have waited, selling a bow isn't always as easy as buying.

Phil Rowan · #4 02-12-2009, 07:07 AM

Great sticks at a great price: http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/instru...bass-bows.html

LouisF · #5 02-12-2009, 10:20 AM

I went through the same phase with the Karrbow - loved it for a long while, then felt it just ran out of oomph. I'm beginning to think - and I have absolutely NO facts or evidence for this - that after a while the ear etc just gets bored with the carbon fibre sound and wants more.

The problem is (as you're discovering) is that the Karrbow IS a very fine bow, and getting "more" may mean a serious step up. I'm a fan of Z. Prochownik's bows, but they're not to everyone's taste. Marco Pasquino is an excellent bow maker, just a little above your price range. Steve at Bass Cafe has his bows, as does Lisa Gass in LA.

Marco Raposo and some of the "Water Violet" makers - Guasti, Botoni, H. Cirillo have great bows in the $1500 and under range - but, as people have said, you have to try a lot of them to find the right one: Frank's Violins and, again, Lisa - are great sources for both.

Louis