Double Bass Jean Tabary bows??

[Bass Barrister]

Does anyone know anything about bows sold under the Jean Tabary or Prism name. In the US, they're distributed by JR Music Supply but there's only a minor mention of them on this forum.

These bows are made in Wadowice, Poland (hometown of the late JPII). They are made for all strings and there's a Canadian site that has testimonials from some symphone violinists. There's very little discussion about the bass models.

These are carbon-fiber bows BTW.

I'm just curious about this.

 

[slight-return]

I've played the 'cello bows and thought they were excellent

the consistency seemed very high from bow to bow (though, since I auditioned them at the same time, it's very possible they were all from the same production run)

Sorry, probably not much help - eh, take it for what it's worth

 

[LouisF]

Any more info on them since then?

Louis

 

[LouisF]

I decided to answer my own question and get a couple on trial from
Rhiannon Schmitt at Invalid Link Removed.

The bows are fairly light (@133 gr), well balanced, bounce well for spiccato and have a good attack. And, since they sent me two bows to try, they were pretty consistent in construction and quality. (they're made in Poland, I think)

But I found the tone from them oddly muddy and they felt a bit "plastic-y" in the hand, kind of dead feeling without much connection to the string.

They're okay all in all - but for the price (@$1000 each!), it's hard to recommend them over the Metropolitan, Karrbow or even the Finale.

So, they'll be going back.

LF

PS: I should add, though, that the service online etc from Rhiannon & her company was first rate.

 

[clclark]

I received a French style JT Prism bow and it plays well considering how nice it is. It's a decent bow, but I don't think it cost near $1000. It was a nice upgrade from my horrid glasser, but now as a university student I am running into trouble with my technique and tone because it is so light of a bow, especially at the tip. My teacher is actually amazed at the sound of it for how light it is, but I think I've gotten to the point where it's now holding me back.

I have not compared this to any of the other carbon fiber bows in the market. I only compared it within that price bracket and it was better than a wooden bow in that range.

I hope that helps you out!

 

[LouisF]

Yes, "Prism" is their other model - @ $250-$300. I Tried the "Original" (which was, oddly enough, "new and improved) as it was described as their professional model - so in my mind I was comparing it to the Karrbow or the Gage Metropolitan (both of which I owed when I was teaching in the high desert). I didn't think the two JT bows (both German frog, and made in Poland etc) were up to either the Gage or the Karrbow, which are roughly similar in price.

Invalid Link Removed

Thanks

Louis

 

[NevilleLeck]

useful article...thanks