Tom Owen Bow

[robgrow]

I tried a CodaBow Revelation along with the Tom Owen and other bows I auditioned. Although the CodaBow felt good and was very responsive, I really preferred the sound of the Tom Owen bow I ended up buying.

[Aleph5]

That's reassuring because it makes sense. I currently have what I thought was a very decent CF bow, an ALG or Le Gouic (not thought to be currently available). When I compared it to several wooden bows it didn't sound quite as good as the wooden ones, nor was the spiccato response as good. But on my bass at the time, which had Spirocores, this CF grabbed much better and I really valued that at the time. Plus, I liked its weight, balance, relief, and length.

On my NS Cleveland which has Obligatos for now (and with a bit more bow skill than I used to have), though, it's just not cutting it. I thought for sure I need to go real wood this time, but the Metropolitan marketing makes it very tempting to try and many of the comments on the Coda support the claims.

If I can swing a trial of both I might do that, if only for grins and due diligence, but I think I know what the results will be.

[Heifetzbass]

I recently acquired a Tom Owen bow through a trade. (Thanks Dandy Dan...) It is a copy of a DeLuccia bow, which is a very heavy stick, and the Owen is a quality stick. I think his detail work on this particular bow seems a little above the ones I see on his website. Honestly, I think it is worth a lot more that I have in it.

The bow weighs in at 159.6 grams and is very easy to manage despite its weight. My workhorse old bow is around 150 grams and not quite as well balanced, but a rounder sound. The Owen bow has a big sound and projects well.

Just my $.02- I like the playability of CF, but not the sound. I don't care if it is a bass or a violin bow, there is something about the sound that is "harsh" to my ear. For students where playability is more of an issue- I think CF is a good reliable way to go. Personally, I would rather have a cheap chinese bow or a brazilwood stick than a CF bow for sound.

YMMV,
Brian