Metropolitan vs Mid-High end wood

[SirFunk]

Hi all,

I'm currently on a quest for a new french bow. I'm a college student and looking for something that will last me through at least grad school auditions (not sure where yet)

I currently have a Shicker. I really don't know much about it, seems like there's a lot of schickers in the $1,500+ range nowadays. I certainly paid much less than that for mine, used and I'm not very happy with how it feels/balances.

In my geographic area (Western, NY) There are _NO_ bows for sale. I was looking to spend in the $1,200-$1,500 range (probably have to be something form a music store so i can use my credit card)... The only bow in that range I could find was a Heleomar Cirilo; whom I've heard very little about, which was a 4 hour drive away.

Now, There is a shop two hours away who deal with some lower end wooden bows and the Gauge Metropolitan is his highest end bow. I have played this bow at his shop and a few other people in my bass studio have it. I am very fond of how it feels/balances. I don't have much to compare it to as far as sound goes; i guess the sound is good, but the 'feel' is great compared to my shicker.

So here's my question:

How does the metropolitan compare to wooden bows in the 1,200-1,500 range.

Do the cf bows hold their value? It might be worth it to get one for a few years until i get into a better geographic/financial area and then sell it for something better.

[JoeyNaeger]

I have a french carbow that I've been using for many years, and it has been a great bow. I'm shopping for a much more high end bow right now, but am finding the my bow performs very well in terms of playability when compared to many of these much more expensive bows. I feel that tone wise, it definitely does not have the solid core tone that a great pernambuco bow does, but your not going to find that sound in the sub 2k range I think. Keep mind that many shops are willing to ship you bows to audition so don't feel restricted to the shops within driving distance of you. I guess the bottom line is that I feel my bow is a very solid bow for the price, and I fully intend to hold on to it. I hope this helps.

[anonymous12251111]

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

I have a french carbow that I've been using for many years, and it has been a great bow. I'm shopping for a much more high end bow right now, but am finding the my bow performs very well in terms of playability when compared to many of these much more expensive bows. I feel that tone wise, it definitely does not have the solid core tone that a great pernambuco bow does, but your not going to find that sound in the sub 2k range I think. Keep mind that many shops are willing to ship you bows to audition so don't feel restricted to the shops within driving distance of you. I guess the bottom line is that I feel my bow is a very solid bow for the price, and I fully intend to hold on to it. I hope this helps.

I disagree, I had a very nice old French bow from the Vigneron school of bow making worth $5000.00; I recently got a Prochownik for 1,800.00 and the sound was almost identical, and it was very comfortable and light to play. Prochownik's bows don't have any frills, they aren't fancy, they're just a stick, but they work...He also uses all synthetic materials and plastics to lower the cost, he puts all the money into the wood which is top notch. I know many professionals that are really happy with Prochownik's bows and he'll send you at least 4-5 to try. I bought his general use model, I liked the Sartory but it was a bit too light. You really need to try them ALL, because some of his bows don't have enough camber or weight.

[JoeyNaeger]

I tried 3 prochowniks as my part of my hunting venture. They are solid for the price, but I don't consider them to be on the same tier as many of the bows I tried. Perhaps the ones I got weren't his better ones.

[LouisF]

The Cirillo bows are quite good for the money. I had a German one of his a few years ago. Guasti and Bottoni are two other Brazilian bow makers in that price range (I think their work is carried by Water Violet Bows now) Also Marco Raposo is an excellent bow maker in that price range. And Tom Owen. Most will send you bows on approval to try. I do have a new Prochownik German bow and it is as good as anything I've seen for $1K more.

Louis

[anonymous12251111]

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

I tried 3 prochowniks as my part of my hunting venture. They are solid for the price, but I don't consider them to be on the same tier as many of the bows I tried. Perhaps the ones I got weren't his better ones.

There are some quality control issues for sure....if you find a good one tho, 1,800.00 is a steal, they can sound like a reid hudson that's 3 times the price.

[JoeyNaeger]

They were very playable for sure. I have a pretty specific sound in mind and the prochowniks did not deliver in that regard. To the original poster, SirFunk, I would definately recommend trying some prochowniks. If you contact George Vance, he would be happy to ship what he has for you to audition.

[anonymous12251111]

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

They were very playable for sure. I have a pretty specific sound in mind and the prochowniks did not deliver in that regard. To the original poster, SirFunk, I would definately recommend trying some prochowniks. If you contact George Vance, he would be happy to ship what he has for you to audition.

I suggest you contact Mike Prochownik directly.

[Andrew McGregor]

So, I have a German Metropolitan, and I think it's great value. It does handle like a much more expensive bow. All you can say is, bows do contribute to your sound and you might not like how that particular bow sounds (I like it, you might not). Carbon bows are pretty much perfectly consistent, so one example will play exactly like another.

I will say, the style here is for a much more raw, Russian or Ukrainian influenced sound than what I've heard in North America, so opinions may vary.

[tww001]

I was just at Mike Shank's today playing bows. Of the three carbon bows I tried (2 Metros in the $750-$800 range, and one chinese carbon bow in the $200 range), the cheaper chinese bow (labeled "ophelia") beat out the metros in both sound and feel (though I ended up settling on a $1200 Shicker).

[SirFunk]

In case anyone was wondering I ended up going to Kolstiens and getting one of the Lorenzi diVincenzo (i probably misspelled that badly) bows. These bows are designed by kolstiens, barry picks out the sticks but the bows are actually crafted in Brazil and they have an imaginary person's name stamped on them. I paid like $900 for it and Barry gave me a very good deal on my trade in. I'm happy with the bow overall. I'm a little sad that kostien didn't carry anything other than their own bows in my price range.

The bow seems much better balanced than my old bow and gets a big sound, it added some balls i never knew my bass had. It's a good value it will certainly hold me over for a few years until i need/can afford something in the 2.5K+ range.

[dchan]

Originally Posted by tww001

I was just at Mike Shank's today playing bows. Of the three carbon bows I tried (2 Metros in the $750-$800 range, and one chinese carbon bow in the $200 range), the cheaper chinese bow (labeled "ophelia") beat out the metros in both sound and feel (though I ended up settling on a $1200 Shicker).

A good story to show why you can't buy bows on name alone. In the end, it's what the bow does and sounds like that's important.

[Eric Hochberg]

Check this bow comparison out on Doublebassblog.org.

[LouisF]

I've got one of the String Emporium Finale bows (german). Quite amazing for the price - well balanced, lively, loud!

Louis