yita bow lovers - help!

swmmojo · #1 02-07-2010, 10:01 AM

I'm thinking of picking of a carbon fiber bow. I'm a newbie and I've been hearing how great the Finale bows are. However, I'm not able to pay $340 for a new bow. I've read lots of positive input regarding the Yita bows here in TB so I'm considering one. However, I'm not sure which to get since they have: Standard ($109), Advanced ($140), and Top Model ($172). Anyone have input as to the difference?

Thanks in advance.

fstasiak · #2 02-07-2010, 09:07 PM

I played a show with a guy who had one of the Yita carbon fiber bows. I wouldn’t recommend getting it.

rslaing · #3 02-08-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstasiak

I played a show with a guy who had one of the Yita carbon fiber bows. I wouldn’t recommend getting it.

Maybe it would be a good idea to tell us why?

I'm not an expert by any means, and originally made the novice's mistake of buying the wrong bow for me, then having to get another etc etc. I have 4 bows, including the Yita, and the Yita is the best of all, and way better than the most expensive one I bought. If I had bought it first, I would only own one because it is great (well, maybe another as a spare). I also have recommended the Yita to others who have bought one, and they are also delighted with their purchase.

For the difference in price, I would recommend the top of the range model. For a few dollars/pounds more it is worth it. They are light, well balanced and produce a great sound. There are others in this forum that have commented in a similar manner.

Of course, any bow will only perform proportionally to the skill of the user, but in my experience to date, the Yita is a great bow and probably very underpriced by comparison to others on the market.

Rumblejohn · #4 02-08-2010, 05:58 AM

I am looking for a new modestly priced bow, and considering the Finale. I have heard stories of some of the less expensive Chinese bows having the tip plug glued in, making it really tough to rehair.
does anyone have any personal experience with this?

John

fstasiak · #5 02-08-2010, 07:01 AM

Sorry, let me elaborate.
I actually have a few Yita bows as well. All are snakewood. But, the ones that I ordered had to have been modified form their original design (this usually doubles the price).
In the “stock design,” here are the problems:
1-The stick is a little long.
2-The tip is too small. It often can’t fit more than 1cm of hair width. It should be able to fit 1.7cm at least.
3-Sometimes the frog is not a perfect fit.
4-It will defiantly need new hair

If you can get them to modify everything, you can get a really nice bow out of it. But you need to know what you want. When I first ordered one of their bows I received their “Standard” model. I saw the potential in their craftsmanship and ordered a couple more. I happened to have the time and money to play around with designs. But, if you don’t, you may get stuck with something that you don’t like.

marvin spangles · #6 02-08-2010, 07:43 AM

Hi
I had one of the Yita "top pernambuco bows" I never really liked it. Too long and the sound was nothing to write home about. The wire lapping disintegrated. Others seem to like this bow... not me! The Finale Carbon Bow is a much better bow ime. But really I think you need to get some bows in your hand and try them out. You can send for some on approval to audition them. Good luck

rslaing · #7 02-08-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstasiak

Sorry, let me elaborate.
I actually have a few Yita bows as well. All are snakewood. But, the ones that I ordered had to have been modified form their original design (this usually doubles the price).
In the “stock design,” here are the problems:
1-The stick is a little long.
2-The tip is too small. It often can’t fit more than 1cm of hair width. It should be able to fit 1.7cm at least.
3-Sometimes the frog is not a perfect fit.
4-It will defiantly need new hair

If you can get them to modify everything, you can get a really nice bow out of it. But you need to know what you want. When I first ordered one of their bows I received their “Standard” model. I saw the potential in their craftsmanship and ordered a couple more. I happened to have the time and money to play around with designs. But, if you don’t, you may get stuck with something that you don’t like.

The responses to the OP seem to be missing the mark. He said "However, I'm not able to pay $340 for a new bow."
This would rule out a Finale CF bow.

Your comments above are in total contrast to my purchase, and as you point out, your bows are snakewood, not carbon fibre, so perhaps your viewpoint is not appropriate. There are a lot of variations in wooden bows whereas the CF bows tend to be a lot more consistent as a finished article. There are lots of independent unbiased reports if you search for "yita carbon fibre bow" on Google. Have a read and make your own mind up! I haven't found one yet that is as disparaging as the report above. In contrast to the quote above :
The hair on mine does not need replacing, the stick is not too long, the frog is absolutely perfect, and the hair width at the point is 1.7cms. It is an excellent bow, and fantastic value for money - but don't buy the cheapest one, go for the top model CF. The specification is superb.

In a nutshell, if the OP hasn't got enough money to pay over the top for a top brand, the Yita will do the job (plus a lot more) admirably.

rslaing · #8 02-08-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstasiak

I played a show with a guy who had one of the Yita carbon fiber bows. I wouldn’t recommend getting it.

Thanks for your reply, but you haven't explained why the "guy" who had one has resulted in you not recommending getting one? What exactly would be the reason? Thanks

PsychoScout · #9 02-08-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rslaing

In a nutshell, if the OP hasn't got enough money to pay over the top for a top brand, the Yita will do the job (plus a lot more) admirably.

In that price range I would just get one of those brazil upton bass bows...

I never tried the yita CF bows, but in my experience, "cheap" CF bows don't "respond" quite well...

rslaing · #10 02-08-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoScout

In that price range I would just get one of those brazil upton bass bows...

I never tried the yita CF bows, but in my experience, "cheap" CF bows don't "respond" quite well...

Which CF bows have you tried?

PsychoScout · #11 02-08-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rslaing

Which CF bows have you tried?

I don't know the brands, I just tried some bows in a few shops, the only CF bow I tried and liked was one that costed 800€.

Blaine · #12 02-08-2010, 02:27 PM

I have a yita cf bow and think it's great. at the time i bought it they had 3 grades, one was solid black in color, another showed the graphite weave, and the most expensive had the weave look with some silver. I have the middle one. it grabs the string very well. it is a little more bright sounding( typical of cf bows i think). the hairing job isn't the greatest, infact a few weeks ago the hair just started falling out like crazy. my other bow is a lothar seifert( a wonderful bow). hope this helps.

swmmojo · #13 02-08-2010, 04:22 PM

Well, thanks to all for the input on Yita bows. Instead of taking a risk I went ahead and went over budget for a Finale from the String Emporium. Might as well do things right the first time. I live in a part of the country that makes trying bows difficult. That being said, it's great to have this conversation and to hear people's input. Thanks.

Ojeb · #14 02-08-2010, 04:36 PM

Check out the carbon fiber/ hybrid bow that Shar Music has.
The cost is around $120. Several bassist in the symphony I play in
tried them and we all agreed that we liked the bow, it had a even weight.
I think Shar also lets you have a trial period as well.

ole Jason · #15 02-08-2010, 06:08 PM

I have a Yita snakewood bow. It is a nice bow and pulls a good sound but the wire wrapping is already getting loose after one week of use! As stated the bow is a little longer than usual but it doesn't necessarily feel that much longer while playing.

For comparison I also have a Shen Ophelia carbon fiber bow. It has a very well balanced feel. You can get the Shen for $200 from Nick Lloyd.