stingrayPete1977 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 I thought you were going to ask about women Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 [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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 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] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 And what about resin/rosin? no idea on that either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damo200 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 Yes I think maybe I should check with my teacher before ordering one then, ta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLoydElgar Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtroun Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatgoogle Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share Posted December 31, 2012 Spoke to the main man and he is a Frenchy so a French it will be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 [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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 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] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share Posted December 31, 2012 [quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1356956075' post='1915500'] Enjoy! I have loved learning to use the bow. [/quote] Thanks, I will try and enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share Posted December 31, 2012 [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] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share Posted December 31, 2012 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] ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtroun Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 [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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 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. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLoydElgar Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Yeh they are good those bows for the money.... But if you have the money get a Claude Marchand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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