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Double Bass Naturbow

Kristian

Kristian

Dec 5, 2008
523
248
Austria Vienna
www.lindkristian.com
#1
Hi!

Carbow has made a new bow called „naturbow“ and its supposed to be a mix of carbon and vegetable fibers.
Did anyone check it out?

Here’s a link:French Bass bow, 30mm Composites frog, Naturbow® — Carbow

from their website:

How do we make a bow that takes best out of wood and combines it with advantages of carbon fiber? It’s called Naturbow® our latest technology born in 2019!
When combining vegetable + carbon fibers you get a stick that produces the best sound and gives the best playability for the musicians. The stick is mounted with a full composite frog for a full stability in all weather conditions. It took hundreds of hours to come up with this new technology, and multiple tries and errors before Naturbow® was ready for the hands of musicians. No Ebony wood, no Mother of Pearl are inside this model, free of all CITES materials.
It’s an honor to present to you the next chapter in Carbow !
 
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#4
I own a Carbow, the German model in basic black. It’s a Ferrari. The sound is about what you’d expect from a carbon fiber bow, and less complex and interesting than the Glasser braided carbon fiber bow in a side by side test, but playability is wildly superior.

If your bass gets along with a stick which pulls a relatively thin, bright and well-defined tone you could do a lot worse than Carbow.
 
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#5
THanks FungFu.
I am looking for a performance bow to play jazz with. I already have a Prochownik German which I am quite happy with, but I am getting way more into Arco jazz and french...I really want (I think) a high performance bow (and so I was looking at the Garcia Fons carbow french)...Also I am left handed and play right handed so I am looking for any extra edge of play ability that will help me get there. Since I am not a classical player (except some Bach at home) I am thinking about a more high performance Carbon bow. I also have a Rud Ringer french from the 70's which I like but...(it is with Brianna right now getting repaired and rehaired...she told me if I invest $400 in it, itwill be a $400 bow)
 
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#6
I use a Carbow from about 10 years (basic French model, about 900 euro) When i bought it i tested various Pernambuco bows in the same price range but i vastly preferred the Carbow. Also, i tested 3 differents Carbows (same model) because they are not all exactly the same and choosed the one i liked most. Sure, you can find better bows but in my experience only in the very expensive range (from 3000 euro or more) The good thing with the Carbow is the playability, there is nothing exceptional with it but it just works. The sound (as all carbon fiber bows) is not very complex as a good pernambuco bow, but for jazz or similar styles of music it's very good. On the other hand if i was a classical player i would buy a very good (and expensive) wood bow.
 
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#13
Reply from Olivier at Carbow:
Thank you for your e-mail

Yes, RGF bow is made with Naturbow technology since one year now.
Robertson &Sons resell our bows in the US
This bow will not be available in the US but other Naturbow yes

The best would be that you ask to Aaron or call the shop (@Aaron is in copy of this email)
In case of "bad-end", please come back to me


Remaining at your disposal
Best regards
olivier/Carbow
 
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#16
Yeah it seems like Robertson is not too interested in my interest in the Carbow Naturbow RGF.
...I just got my Rud Ringer French back from Brianna. I said I didn't know anything about the bow except that Rud was the student of a well known bow maker...She wrote back that from what she could find after I got a rehair a new tip and tune up for $300 the bow would be worth $400. That was sad. I thought it was better then that but apparently if I bought a fiberglass bow it would be worth more then this hand made perambuco silver buttoned vintage relic....
But you would think it would be easier to inquire about a Carbow.
 
#17
I'll just this without any comment: over the past 10-15 I've contacted Robertson's about the Carbow, a Prochownik, a Pfretzschner and a Scaramelli bass, and never once got the courtesy of a reply. I have my ideas as to why, but I will keep them to myself.

I'd say look at an Arcus S3 or S4, or some of the 1996 model Carbows that some other dealers still stock. (I can give you some contacts if you want). I think you'll be happy
 
#18
LouisF said:
over the past 10-15 I've contacted Robertson's about the Carbow, a Prochownik, a Pfretzschner and a Scaramelli bass, and never once got the courtesy of a reply.
Click to expand...

Doesn’t sound like the best way to run a business. I’ve talked to them on the phone 2 or 3 times and they were very helpful. Even connected me to their senior bass repairman.
 

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