French or German?!

[stingrayPete1977]

Total idiot question time I am affraid, I know what the difference is after lusting over them but as a beginner at arco on an EUB what am I likely to be best off with? I know I need a 3/4 and probably carbon as it has been suggested as the best option for a budget bow but what about the frog?

Thanks in advance as I know you lot will have me getting the right one

[GreeneKing]

I thought you were going to ask about women

[Bilbo]

French bows are supposed to be more flexible/versatile and German bows louder. It is easier to find a French bow teacher in the UK than a German one if that makes any difference.

Paul Chambers's teacher, Gaston Brohand, had to be ordered to teach arco with a French bow because he was anti-French arco techniuque and, until this point, had refused. Fortunately, PC played German but other players like Dan Pliskow in Detroit had to fight to get lessons and then had to put up with Brohan looking like he'd stepped in s*** for their whole lesson. Really motivational.

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='GreeneKing' timestamp='1356711381' post='1912802']
I thought you were going to ask about women
[/quote]
My sister in law is French if it was that simple I would now choose German!

I guess I should ask Doddy as he will be the poor begger trying to get me to make something like a tune using it?

[stingrayPete1977]

This is cheap enough but has a German frog [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_cbb01g_34_carbon_bassbow.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_cbb01g_34_carbon_bassbow.htm[/url]

I could go to this but will it be crap [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/gewa_bassbogen_franzoesisch_34.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/gewa_bassbogen_franzoesisch_34.htm[/url]

I like this [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/rothjunius_rjcf_01g_carbon_bass_bow.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/rothjunius_rjcf_01g_carbon_bass_bow.htm[/url]

French, carbon and within budget? [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/artino_fiberglass_bassbow_3_4f.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/artino_fiberglass_bassbow_3_4f.htm[/url]

[stingrayPete1977]

And what about resin/rosin? no idea on that either

[Damo200]

If you're an adult arco beginner I would recommend German. Its the quicker of the two to get to grips with and the pros/cons are only important when you start really thinking about advanced nuances (spiccato etc). You can also get away with cheaper sticks with German too.

Nymans rosin. Find it on Ebay...

[stingrayPete1977]

Thanks Damo, would even a cheapo wooden one be ok then if I go German? I cant see me progressing that far with the arco but I can see its good for scales to sustain the notes so its mainly for that at the moment although I am prepared to give anything a go

[oggiesnr]

Are you having lessons? If so talk to your teacher and probably follow their lead. I started with a french bow and have swapped to german (which is what my teacher uses) and get a much better sound. However I get the best sound when I use my french bow but held german style, probably because the french bow is a tad heavier than the german one. In the New Year I will resume my quest for a decent german bow that doesn't cost more than the bass did

Steve

[stingrayPete1977]

Yes I think maybe I should check with my teacher before ordering one then, ta

[geoffbassist]

Yeh I completely agree with playing whatever bow your teacher does. There are advantages and disadvantages to both but the main thing is having a teacher who can show you how to use it. I use German as my teachers did, but if they had used French pattern I would have gone that way.

....Of course once you are up and running you will be able to make a more informed choice and may find one pattern more suited to your playing than the other.

Edited December 28, 2012 by geoffbassist

[Beer of the Bass]

I'd second the advice about finding someone for a few lessons and starting with whichever they use. Personally, this led me to the German bow, and I find I really can't get to grips with French at all.

[FLoydElgar]

Simple... Get a lesson on the bass first... Try their bow... Talk about whats best and how much £££ you have to invest...
If I was you I'd just buy a used Carbon bow... Buy the George Vance books too... That'll assist you in getting straight into 4th position...

Goodluck

[mtroun]

Just switched from German to French, to match teachers. I have to say I find French easier, but I do have a better French bow. Either way get a teacher, I've generally not been able to afford a teacher and just soldiered on with awful technique and ended up hurting myself!

[fatgoogle]

There are pro's and cons to each one, but as everyone has mentioned go with whatever your teacher mainly uses. I use French simply because all my teachers have used french.

[stingrayPete1977]

Spoke to the main man and he is a Frenchy so a French it will be

[geoffbassist]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1356950223' post='1915398']
Spoke to the main man and he is a Frenchy so a French it will be
[/quote]

Enjoy! I have loved learning to use the bow.

[Bilbo]

I got a German bow at first bubt then got one of these .....

[url="http://www.stringemporium.com/carbon-fiber-upright-bass-bows.htm"]http://www.stringemporium.com/carbon-fiber-upright-bass-bows.htm[/url]

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1356956075' post='1915500']
Enjoy! I have loved learning to use the bow.
[/quote]
Thanks, I will try and enjoy it!

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1356956519' post='1915512']
I got a German bow at first bubt then got one of these .....

[url="http://www.stringemporium.com/carbon-fiber-upright-bass-bows.htm"]http://www.stringemp...t-bass-bows.htm[/url]
[/quote]

I think my level will be more suited to the Thomann one for now Bilbo!
I think it will be this one, just waiting for payday
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/artino_fiberglass_bassbow_3_4f.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/artino_fiberglass_bassbow_3_4f.htm[/url]

[stingrayPete1977]

And a pot of [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/gewa_bass_kolophonium_451310.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/gewa_bass_kolophonium_451310.htm[/url] ?

[mtroun]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1356957810' post='1915539']
And a pot of [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/gewa_bass_kolophonium_451310.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...nium_451310.htm[/url] ?
[/quote]
Can't go wrong!

[fatback]

I've got one of these, and good players who have tried it say it's excellent for the money.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Top-Model-Carbon-Fiber-Double-Bass-Bow-French-/150580744560?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item230f4fd170"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Top-Model-Carbon-Fiber-Double-Bass-Bow-French-/150580744560?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item230f4fd170[/url]

Posted from China, but arrived very quickly.

You might want to check out Rabbath's Art of the Bow video, if you can get it. Very helpful (although I can't imagine what t would take to get me bowing reliably. )

[FLoydElgar]

Yeh they are good those bows for the money.... But if you have the money get a Claude Marchand

[oggiesnr]

The second part of the OP was about rosin and that's almost as complicated as the bow but at least it's cheaper to experiment!

I started with the Nyman but it never really worked for me. I now use the Kolstein All Weather which is better (ie to my ear it produces a fuller sound with less effort) but I'm still on the prowl.

Steve