Double Bass Tone vs. playability

[BostonPop01]

Hi everyone,

Just curious what your thoughts are on bows in regards to playability versus tone. I’m sure we’ve all played bows that draw out the perfect overtone series for our own instrument and sound amazing for its designed purpose, but that somehow don’t react in the hand as easily as one wishes. Or that one has played a bow that basically plays itself and every movement is rounded and easy, but it doesn’t draw an ideal sound from your instrument.


I’ve been lucky to play and own several that have both qualities. But i happened upon another bow that has the most massive orchestral sound I’ve heard from a bow. The stick is quite stiff and the wood is very dense and as a result there just isn’t so much play or flexibility in the stick, which is what I’m used to. Off-the-string strokes work but it’s just that rounded movements are hard to do so string crossings are a bit labored. Has anyone bought a bow entirely for its sound? Or for its playability? Should one adjust technique to adjust to a bow?

 

[Pat Harris]

I think tone and playability/feel sort of go hand in hand. To me, when the bass (or bow) feels right, chances are I'm getting a tone that is also very satisfying.

I've never had an experience where I thought, "Wow, this feels awful but sounds amazing," because I've got such a mental link between the two. The whole experience for me is about all elements working together. I might have to adapt or change something slightly, but if a technique overhaul is necessary, it's probably not the right fit for me.

 

[LouisF]

The one place where I think this is applicable is with carbon fiber bows. I've that with the best cf bows (Coda, Finale, etc) that their "playability" was on a par with bows in the $1500-2500 range; but that their "tone" while fine, was ultimately pretty monochromatic.

 

[Jon Stefaniak]

I know exactly what you mean. But these can be counterintuitive to explain. I sometimes feel my bow with the best tone is also the best playing in the sense that I don't have to struggle to get the tones I love from it. On the other hand, other bows I have give much more control in terms of articulation, note shape/stroke, and in a way make it easier to get the sounds from the bass I want, but lack depth of tone. Better bows give you more of both, ideally.

 

[BostonPop01]

I know exactly what you mean. But these can be counterintuitive to explain. I sometimes feel my bow with the best tone is also the best playing in the sense that I don't have to struggle to get the tones I love from it. On the other hand, other bows I have give much more control in terms of articulation, note shape/stroke, and in a way make it easier to get the sounds from the bass I want, but lack depth of tone. Better bows give you more of both, ideally.

Yes, exactly! Do each of your bows have different uses and responses or are they relatively similar all things considered? This one is just completely different from anything else I have or am immediately attracted to...


Some bows I have give me a lot of control over shape and articulation without any hinderance to tone; I tend towards very flexible sticks with dense wood, so they are easy to make round shapes with and whip around. Like any good bow, the intensity of the energy I put in comes out with an equally corresponding sound.

However this bow is stiff and doesn't have the flexibility I am naturally drawn to. I guess it's really a question if I can actually get used to it. One of the first things I look for in a bow after I see if it has a compelling sound and is balanced in a sensible way is whether I get physically tired from playing it. I worry with the bow in question that could be the case in agile passages, but the sound is so monstrous that I'm wondering if it's something I can work around...However, I have some more time with it, so let's see!

 

[Neil Pye]

I find that the bows that work best in my hand draw the best sound. Not necessarily the loudest, but usually the fact that it works with my hand, arm, strings and bass means it's easy to use and also gives a great sound.