Interesting article about how silver on a bow can dampen the sound when using guts.
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Double Bass For those who play arco on guts
- Thread starter DarnellBass
- Start date
Interesting ... Most of my German bows are sticks without wrapping of any kind -silver, leather or whalebone.
Louis
Louis
I have found the silver to change the bow's sound on any strings, not just gut.
I received my bow from my former teacher, without any wrap or grip. I played it that way for most of the time I've had it. If it was good enough for him that way, why mess with it?
Later, thinking that I would be "taking better care of my bow," I had a bow maker put a silver wrap on and the sound was ever so slightly deadened. Not quieter, just less "breathy" and with fewer highs.
Now I have a silk wrap; no problem, with that; the old sound is back.
All with steel strings...
It's a very subtle thing, and heaven knows many great bows are wrapped with silver, but I found that it does make a small difference, regardless of string type.
I received my bow from my former teacher, without any wrap or grip. I played it that way for most of the time I've had it. If it was good enough for him that way, why mess with it?
Later, thinking that I would be "taking better care of my bow," I had a bow maker put a silver wrap on and the sound was ever so slightly deadened. Not quieter, just less "breathy" and with fewer highs.
Now I have a silk wrap; no problem, with that; the old sound is back.
All with steel strings...
It's a very subtle thing, and heaven knows many great bows are wrapped with silver, but I found that it does make a small difference, regardless of string type.
Eric - I knew there was a reason I liked you! 
I never actually gave it any thought before, but I seem to gravitate to the sound and feel of those bows without the wrapping.
Best wishes,
Louis
I never actually gave it any thought before, but I seem to gravitate to the sound and feel of those bows without the wrapping.Best wishes,
Louis
I've been watching this thread a while, trying to decide what to make of it.
I mostly bow German- and my fine pro quality bow has no wrap of any kind- sounds good on guts- Heck, it sounds good on everything!
All of my other Butler bows have wraps, but are mediocre at best- so it's not a fair comparison.
All have blonde/white hair.
I also have a fair quality German made French bow- black hair with a wire wrap- it draws a very good sound.
There was another thread where someone found that soft oak rosin worked better on guts- I use the Gaston Brohan Soft + on all of my bows- grabs good and draws great tone.
Too many variable for me to be of use in any debate...unless I start experimenting.
Joe
I mostly bow German- and my fine pro quality bow has no wrap of any kind- sounds good on guts- Heck, it sounds good on everything!
All of my other Butler bows have wraps, but are mediocre at best- so it's not a fair comparison.
All have blonde/white hair.
I also have a fair quality German made French bow- black hair with a wire wrap- it draws a very good sound.
There was another thread where someone found that soft oak rosin worked better on guts- I use the Gaston Brohan Soft + on all of my bows- grabs good and draws great tone.
Too many variable for me to be of use in any debate...unless I start experimenting.
Joe
Thanks Joe!
Going to check out different rosins today thanks to your suggestion, but still not brave enough to take the wrapping off of bow.
Going to check out different rosins today thanks to your suggestion, but still not brave enough to take the wrapping off of bow.
Taking the wrapping off is not something I would recommend -especially on a good bow. They are often done for balance as much as anything else.
Louis
Louis
