benthos Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Hi All, I'd like to try my hand at a bit of arco but don't want to spend a fortune on a bow. I have heard (via this forum, I recall), that carbon bows are good value for money and wondered whether something like this would be a reasonable starting point: http://www.thomann.de/gb/alfred_stingl_by_hoefner_as_34_bf_carbon_bassbogen_34.htm I understand that at this price point this is not likely to be stellar and that a bow's preferred characteristics will be a personal thing, however I'm assuming that for a while at least my frantic scrapings will be well within the bow's potential Does anyone have any experience with this particular model, or indeed any other advice to pass on? Thanks in advance, folks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I don't know that make but I do have one of the Finale French bows (see below) which was a not dissimilar price (I think it came in at £175 with import duties etc). It's more than adequate for learning how to do it and would be perfectly good for professional gigs until you were able to upgrade (I woudl not know the difference between good and great at this stage anyway). Carbon fiber bows are generally getting a good press in terms of comparisons with similarly priced wooden bows. Wood is where the purists tend to go but, for us learners, I say go for the Thomann or something like this. I am sure it will get you started. http://www.stringemporium.com/carbon-fiber-upright-bass-bows.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatgoogle Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 The finale is supposed to be really good. Google Jason Heath and finale and a video will come up were he comes th finale to his $3500 bow. Mind he has the most annoying voice in the world. I have a yita music carbon fiber bow off ebay. Nice bow to get going with and about £100. Its gathering dust now as i upgraded but im going to keep as its a light and quick and good as a back up or for cramped little folk gigs if i ever need to bring a bow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benthos Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 Thankyou, Bilbo and fatgoogle. Food for thought there and I have to agree both that the Finale sounds like great 'bang for buck' and the timbre of Jason's voice is quite a different thing to his arco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I have a yita bow too, it's quite pretty but I'm terrible at using it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benthos Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1377087577' post='2183152'] I have a yita bow too, it's quite pretty but I'm terrible at using it [/quote] I have absolute confidence that this will be my situation, too. Challenge 1 will be generating any sort of coherent noise using the bow. I expect Challenge 2 will be to correct the revealed flaws in intonation I have carefully embedded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Oh no dont worry you have ages yet to work out how tight to have the hairs and how much rosin to put on it and which rosin to use! Then and only then will you be able to begin your journey with the misery stick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLoydElgar Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Bass lessons! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 [quote name='FLoydElgar' timestamp='1377127302' post='2183866'] Bass lessons! [/quote] Struggling to find anyone local at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtroun Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Tom Martin? Worth a 2 hour drive I reckon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apprenti L'Artisan Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Where you based pete? I know of quite a few teachers, and can find out if there's any local to you if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Thanks, I'm near Stafford and don't mind a little drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrkelly Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I have a Finale & it's a great bow for the money. Handles really well & gets the string moving instantly. I've used it on many professional gigs. It sounds a bit cold compared my main bow but that one's worth about 3 grand. I've tried a couple of people's Yita bows and didn't like them at all. No experience with the ones from Thomann I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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