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Double Bass strings for Ned Steinberger EUB
- Thread starter Bassoon
- Start date
Hi Maxr
Actually sometimes importers and distributors make very little on the things they sell. Arcus started out with just two different bow models (well, 3 if you count the Concerto SE). They then expanded the range in 01/02 to 4, and now the range has 6 models for violin, 5 for viola and cello, and 3 for bass (both French and German). There were a number of price rises over the years, however prices are controlled by Arcus, not the distributor. Arcus provide an RRP which distributors and dealers adhere to. It wasn't a case of a distributor coming in, and on a whim hiking prices to penalise musicians, but Arcus having to increase prices across the world and therefore all distributors having to update prices. Also when you buy from a U.K. dealer you have the full back up and support of someone local, as well as any guarantee on the product itself. There are some of us who do this because we believe in getting a product that works to players, and money isn't the main priority. Sorry - I'll hop off my soap box now without saying much more, but as the U.K. distributor for Arcus it's quite personal for me.
allyxa
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Actually sometimes importers and distributors make very little on the things they sell. Arcus started out with just two different bow models (well, 3 if you count the Concerto SE). They then expanded the range in 01/02 to 4, and now the range has 6 models for violin, 5 for viola and cello, and 3 for bass (both French and German). There were a number of price rises over the years, however prices are controlled by Arcus, not the distributor. Arcus provide an RRP which distributors and dealers adhere to. It wasn't a case of a distributor coming in, and on a whim hiking prices to penalise musicians, but Arcus having to increase prices across the world and therefore all distributors having to update prices. Also when you buy from a U.K. dealer you have the full back up and support of someone local, as well as any guarantee on the product itself. There are some of us who do this because we believe in getting a product that works to players, and money isn't the main priority. Sorry - I'll hop off my soap box now without saying much more, but as the U.K. distributor for Arcus it's quite personal for me.
allyxa
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Hi Allyxa:
Nice to hear from you. My memory is that around the time Arcus appointed a sole UK agent the price of a silver mounted Arcus Concerto violin bow jumped several hundred pounds, from about £700 to over £1,000 - can you confirm how much the increase was? Because the two things happened together I assumed (as did several violin shop owners I spoke to at the time) they were cause and effect, rather than the maker putting the RRP up. If that's what happened, then I take back the imputation.
I remember this because such a large increase made some other good carbon bows (particularly the Coda) look better value, and at the time it put the bow in competition with handmade wooden bows from some excellent craftsman bowmakers in UK.
The particular Concerto I had produced an amazingly lush sound from any violin capable of it. In the end it I traded it in as it was just a bit too 'polite' for the kind of music I play (Scottish folk). I think the shop then used it as a demo bow for violin purchasers because it flattered all their fiddles!
Max
Nice to hear from you. My memory is that around the time Arcus appointed a sole UK agent the price of a silver mounted Arcus Concerto violin bow jumped several hundred pounds, from about £700 to over £1,000 - can you confirm how much the increase was? Because the two things happened together I assumed (as did several violin shop owners I spoke to at the time) they were cause and effect, rather than the maker putting the RRP up. If that's what happened, then I take back the imputation.
I remember this because such a large increase made some other good carbon bows (particularly the Coda) look better value, and at the time it put the bow in competition with handmade wooden bows from some excellent craftsman bowmakers in UK.
The particular Concerto I had produced an amazingly lush sound from any violin capable of it. In the end it I traded it in as it was just a bit too 'polite' for the kind of music I play (Scottish folk). I think the shop then used it as a demo bow for violin purchasers because it flattered all their fiddles!
Max
Hi Max
I've gone through my email records, and have dug out part of my reply to you when we emailed about this in September 2001 (at least I hope it's you - unless there are more Max Rs about....
)
" I think Bernd has instigated 2 price rises since you bought your bow. When the newer prices came into effect in March the price of the Sonata went down, the Sinfonia replaced the Concerto as a lower priced silver bow, the Concerto went up (quite a lot), and the Cadenza came in at a premium. The U.K. RRP prices reflect those on the German Arcus website."
Yes - the Concerto violin bow did jump in price in March 2001 from £875.00 to just over £1000.00 when the range changed from being the Sonata and Concerto (and special option Concerto SE with engraving) to the Sonata, Sinfonia, Concerto and Cadenza. However, this wasn't down to me, but to the bow range changing and Arcus adjusting the prices.
I think I've probably hijacked this thread enough now....but I really did want to clarify what was being said.
BTW I really enjoyed your feedback about the bows previously and love the description of your Concerto as being too 'polite'! Hope all is going ok with violin/cello and playing in general.
allyxa
I've gone through my email records, and have dug out part of my reply to you when we emailed about this in September 2001 (at least I hope it's you - unless there are more Max Rs about....
)" I think Bernd has instigated 2 price rises since you bought your bow. When the newer prices came into effect in March the price of the Sonata went down, the Sinfonia replaced the Concerto as a lower priced silver bow, the Concerto went up (quite a lot), and the Cadenza came in at a premium. The U.K. RRP prices reflect those on the German Arcus website."
Yes - the Concerto violin bow did jump in price in March 2001 from £875.00 to just over £1000.00 when the range changed from being the Sonata and Concerto (and special option Concerto SE with engraving) to the Sonata, Sinfonia, Concerto and Cadenza. However, this wasn't down to me, but to the bow range changing and Arcus adjusting the prices.
I think I've probably hijacked this thread enough now....but I really did want to clarify what was being said.
BTW I really enjoyed your feedback about the bows previously and love the description of your Concerto as being too 'polite'! Hope all is going ok with violin/cello and playing in general.
allyxa
Great, that clears it up - the retailer I got my Concerto from must have discounted it heavily, thus the big difference. You may be horrified to hear that I'm now using an Incredibow www.incredibow.com for cello 
but it just works well with my cello.
Max
but it just works well with my cello.Max
That's the thing about instruments and bows isn't. Everyone has their own individual preferences, and as playing needs change it affects the equipment we choose. It's good fun to explore how different set ups can change your sound. But it can also drive you nuts..... when I think of how many different cello strings have I been through over the years trying to find the perfect set......not cheap either 
