Double Bass Newbie bow question

[funkythumb]

Hey guys,
I know this is off topic but I really need a helpful opinion. I invest most of my money in electric bass guitar stuff but also double on upright for jazz. I've now joined my first orchestra where I'm bowing every week in rehearsals and performance. I'm loving it!!
I'm currently using a Finale, carbon fiber bow. I was at my local shop and the owner had me try a Horst John bow, listed at $1200 but which he will sell me for $800 including a rehair.
I'm clueless as to bows but know that this bow felt much more balanced than my Finale, was louder, and had a nicer organic tone due to the wood and I'm sure construction.
I have two basic questions.
1. Is this modern Horst John bow a significant improvement over my Finale. I can tell the difference but not sure if I should look for another brand.
2. Is $800 a good price for a new (3 year old Horst John bow)
Any tips or suggestions on buying would be appreciated.
thanks

 

[dkziemann]

Hey guys,
I know this is off topic but I really need a helpful opinion. I invest most of my money in electric bass guitar stuff but also double on upright for jazz. I've now joined my first orchestra where I'm bowing every week in rehearsals and performance. I'm loving it!!
I'm currently using a Finale, carbon fiber bow. I was at my local shop and the owner had me try a Horst John bow, listed at $1200 but which he will sell me for $800 including a rehair.
I'm clueless as to bows but know that this bow felt much more balanced than my Finale, was louder, and had a nicer organic tone due to the wood and I'm sure construction.
I have two basic questions.
1. Is this modern Horst John bow a significant improvement over my Finale. I can tell the difference but not sure if I should look for another brand.
2. Is $800 a good price for a new (3 year old Horst John bow)
Any tips or suggestions on buying would be appreciated.
thanks

If you're clueless to bows, then I wouldn't spend 800 dollars on a bow if you aren't sure that it's worth it. Now it could be a great deal on the bow-- I don't know, but if you aren't sure if you need it, then you probably do not.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

Rehair the Finale, then see what you think.

Most of that sounds like a decent bow with old or poor quality hair compared to a decent bow with good hair.

Finales are not bad at all, and I for one can't find a reason to prefer wood over carbon, it comes down to a particular bow whatever it is made of.

 

[funkythumb]

Ok, so rehair the Finale. It's new hair.

 

[theweed42]

$800 is a lot to spend on a bow without first trying out some others in the price range. It's probably a good bow, but you should try out others to see if one might be a better fit.

It's possible that as your playing evolves, your taste in bows may also evolve. There really is no one-size-fits-all, and you might end up hating what you like about it now.
When I bought my current bow (a Marco Raposo in the 1k range), I picked it from about 10 others. It made my old bow feel like a club by comparison.
The old bow wasn't bad - in fact it was great for starting out because it always made a sound. But as my playing evolved, so did what I needed from a bow.

 

[funkythumb]

$800 is a lot to spend on a bow without first trying out some others in the price range. It's probably a good bow, but you should try out others to see if one might be a better fit.

It's possible that as your playing evolves, your taste in bows may also evolve. There really is no one-size-fits-all, and you might end up hating what you like about it now.
When I bought my current bow (a Marco Raposo in the 1k range), I picked it from about 10 others. It made my old bow feel like a club by comparison.
The old bow wasn't bad - in fact it was great for starting out because it always made a sound. But as my playing evolved, so did what I needed from a bow.

Sure thing. Great advice. I wasn't going to blindly put down the money. I figured I'd try everything he has in the store and perhaps get the advice of a local symphony player who is highly respected.
I can and do notice a significant amount of difference between my Finale and the Horst John. The Horst feels heavier and better balanced. Certain strokes just were much easier to play. A big difference as well was the tone. The Finale sounds good but a bit on the nasally/sterile side. The Horst had a more organic, woodier, open sound.
Anyway, I hear and feel the differences but am ultimately trying to size the bow to see if it's a good deal for the price.
I'll definitely take your advice and try others.
thanks

 

[theweed42]

Anyway, I hear and feel the differences but am ultimately trying to size the bow to see if it's a good deal for the price.
I'll definitely take your advice and try others.
thanks

Absolutely.

I looked up Horst John, and the shop seems to make a good unsigned bow in that price range. Usually for about $800-1000 I'd expect a pernambuco stick, ebony frog, silver wrap, silver or nickel-silver mount (metal between the frog and stick). The bow shouldn't have any hairline cracks on the frog or stick, and should tighten smoothly and stay tight until you loosen it.

Aside from those objective qualities, the bow should should play easier and sound better than anything costing the same price or less. Very dependent upon personal preference, so that's why you need to try out a lot It's great that you're going with an orchestra pro. Have them try out the bow, but then have them listen while you play. A good orchestra player will be able to tell you if a bow makes you sound better, which is half the battle of bow shopping.

 

[funkythumb]

Though I like the Finale, which is my current and main bow, I just noticed a whole different vibe and atmosphere with the Horst John. I seem to like a heavier stick and wood as well. The sound was huge and organic. It was a WOW moment.
I'm printing out your list of bow essentials to keep in mind. Thanks
The journey continues!

 

[THE SAW]

French or German?

 

[Maxvla]

If he's chopping the price by $200 and including a rehair, the bow hasn't seen much action in a long time. Chances are the hair is original (3 years old?) so it could sound even better. However, since it has been there so long, I'd try to negotiate him down further. I have bows in my shop that have been there for longer that I'd drop more than he is if a customer was interested just to move inventory.