Need a better german bow

[CimaJazz]

I am currently using a DiVacenza german bow. I play jazz, pretty much pizz but I am starting to solo with the bow. I think I am at a point where I need a better bow, but I need some advice. Rabbath is the kind of bowed sound I love, deep, dark and full. I was told once that if I want that sound I should be playing French, which I tried many times but I get a very painfull thumb-ball pain. What are my options for a (3k tops) german bow? What about Prochownik, Pfretzschner, Kolstein? Any special consideration for Jazz arco playing?

Alejandro Cimadoro
www.CimaJazz.com
info@CimaJazz.com

[Jeremy Allen]

Hi Alejandro,
I have a Prochownik German bow, and my background/usage fit your description exactly. The Prochownik is a very nice bow, and is different from other bows I've owned/tried in that it is lighter in weight and the tip is much smaller. It's a very acrobatic bow, I guess I would say, and some symphony players have told me that it isn't really heavy enough for orchestral playing (which is a matter of opinion, I'm sure). I do know that people seem to think it makes a great "bebop" bow for its lightness and articulateness; it could be that a Prochownik would serve you well.
I don't know that I would describe the tone of this bow as "deep, dark, and full," but the fact is that I would indeed say that the tone reminds me of Rabbath in many ways.

[txstatebass]

+1 to Jeremy. After many years of French bow, I switched to a Prochownik German, and I ain't going back any time soon. It's a sports car of a bow, real easy to swing with. Look up Slava Publishing, I think they distribute his bows.

[CimaJazz]

Jeremy and txstatebass:
Thank you for the info; it seems that a Prochownik will fit the bill nicely.
I just look at his website and his shop is closed until Sept 6th.
What kind of german do you guys have? General use or solo?
I will contact George Vance, he may have some to try.
I love old basses, I do not know if the same criteria applies to bows. Would it be better to get a new or old bow?

[bejoyous]

I use a Ken Smith bow. It's the Tecchler model. It performs quite well. If you don't like it you haven't lost much money either. I've done an extensive review in this catagory somewhere. You could do a search for it.