Double Bass contemporary bass bow makers

[MaxJohnson]

Let me throw in Julia Vinsant's name. Her bows are about $1500 and she's a student of Rodney Mohr's. I recently bought a German bow of hers from David Gage that was head and shoulders above everything else I played. Very comfortable, very projecting full sound, nice small frog and light stick. I believe they have one at Quantum Bass Cellar as well.

 

[Steve Freides]

Max, I couldn't find any info about Julia Vinsant - any links (if she has a web site...)

-S-

 

[iplaybass1997]

I've tried maybe 14 or 15 Hudson bows, and they seem inconsistent. Most of them were in some way flawed and pulled a mediocre, slightly harsh tone. Two of them were very good, but still not as agile or clean as I'd like. None of them were particularly fun to use. I know many good players who think highly of Reid Hudson's work, but it's not for me.

When they were selling for $2 - 3k, they were a good deal and on par with Prochownik as high level student bows. Now they're double the price, but not double the quality.

Thanks for sharing your opinion Paul, but I was wondering about this specific Hudson bow. I suppose this may be one of the very few 'decent' ones in his collection because it blew me away!

 

[Eric Swanson]

Speaking of consistency, I played a Sue Lipkins bow a couple of weeks ago that was as amazing as the few others of hers I've played. The Lipkins bow I've played were all beautifully made, articulate, warm, and powerful.

 

[9thWardRecords]

Yo, what I can get for $100?

I bought this EM1 today for $375... Did I win?

 

[Jason Sypher]

My RH isn't harsh but it does draw a full spectrum of sound, including higher frequencies. For my uses that's exactly what I wanted, to better express the fiddle-like music I enjoy playing. I need those highs for articulation. The Lipkin bows were darker and more forgiving. Same goes with strings, flexocores are way smoother but I prefer spiros. I think it all depends on your specific needs.

 

[Eric Swanson]

I haven't seen or played her bows, but it looks as if she calls herself Julie Vinsant, not Julia. Maybe this will help if somebody wants to find her?

https://www.facebook.com/fwsomusicians/posts/328294020541612

 

[wathaet]

Rodney Mohr (French & German)

Roy Quade does only French bass bows

I own a spectacular Quade german bow, but I don't even know if he makes bass bows any more at all.

 

[wathaet]

I would like to throw in another name we are sure to hear a lot about.
Jordan Scapinello is making some absolutely excellent bows that hold their own agains the best. I have ordered one to keep my Quade and my Lipkins company.

 

[Eric Swanson]

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[Pawel Knapik]

There is also FELIX RAST from Zurich, Switzerland. I own two of his bows, one modern and one baroque, and they are both spectacular. The sound of the contemporary bow is focused and dark, and the baroque one, made of Swiss beechwood and boxwood, has a very rich spectrum. His top bows go for around $6,500, depending on the currency exchange rate. Here's the website:

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[wathaet]

I now received my Scapinello bow and for my dark sounding Joseph Hill it is the best bow I have played.
Very fast and clear articulation, nice refined sound and good power. It is very easy to play, balanced wonderfully and feels great in the hand.

 

[Selim]

Steffen Kuhnla
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[Eric Swanson]

Steffen Kuhnla
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I see violin, viola, and 'cello, but no bass bows. Am I looking in the wrong place?

 

[Selim]

I see violin, viola, and 'cello, but no bass bows. Am I looking in the wrong place?

I noticed that too. Don't know why that is, but he definitely makes them, because I've got one and it's a very good bow.

Both String Emporium and Lemur sell his bows.

 

[Frits]

I'll add 2 French bow makers (archetiers):

1. Denis Bergeron (ex Augagneur-Bergeron)
2. Jacques Poullot

 

[Jon Stefaniak]

I added David Herman and some other people's suggestions to the WIKI.

 

[Jesse Dietschi]

I've been using a Zdzislaw Prochownik bow for many years and have been very happy with it. It's a lighter bow, but compliments my bass well. I may need to invest in a heavier stick for large orchestra playing, but will keep my Prochownik for chamber and solo work. You also can't beat his prices- mine was around $1500 Canadian when I purchased it years ago, he likely sells for into the $2K range, but for American bassists you'll win big on the currency exchange right now!

 

[groooooove]

the coda/metropolitan isint on the list..

though it's not a "normal" bow, i can't use anything else. including rather expensive sticks i've tried that belong to teachers of mine over the years, nothing feels the way the metro does! even better, they're unbeliavably cheap, and as reliable as anything else made from carbon fiber.

i'll admit the sound just isint the same as wood. very dark, but theres an amazing smoothness to the sound. paired with spirocores the results are really awesome.

 

[Phil Rowan]

Thought I'd put in a good word for Zach Lane. I was just over at his shop and got to play a very nice bow he'd recently made. Really great balance and great sound, not to mention bounce. I myself have a fantastic Les Korus bow, but from what I remember, Zach's bow compared quite favorably to bows I tried out that cost more than what his are going for ($2K - $3K range). If the timing had worked out, a bow of his would've definitely made it into my "top contender's" mix.