Bows, Bows, Bows & Andrew Victor

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Internet Cello Society Forums > Instruments and Equipment > Bows, Bows, Bows & Andrew Victor
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rdsenkowski Registered User (3/11/01 11:45:37 am) Reply	Bows, Bows, Bows & Andrew Victor In Cellists by night, Dave told me that Andrew Victor had done some research of low end bows. Can anyone direct me to that discussion? Andrew are you out there??? I am an absolute novice (haven't even recieved my electric cello yet). I am seriously considering a carbon bow. Arcus is out of my comfort zone. Coda Conservatory ($475) is about as high as I want to go at this stage. I am also considering a Glasser 4000 ($245) or a Pernabuco Knoll CB40 ($359). I live in Cocoa Beach, FL, don't have a teacher, don't have a local music store with decent inventory - so I am left to search the internet and to rely on the kindness of those who have trod down this road before me. Recommendations?
TerryM Registered User (3/11/01 11:58:57 am) Reply	Re: Bows, Bows, Bows & Andrew Victor You can find Andrew Victor's great composite bow review at: members.aol.com/bowedstri...eview.html Terry
flyer23 Registered User (3/11/01 6:13:48 pm) Reply	bows Hi, I can't recommend anything, really, but I'm in your boat! I just decided to ditch my beginner bow (Glasser fiberglass) for greener pastures. And I'm looking at that Glasser 4000, too. To find a good bow, my teacher recommended trying Shar's bow approval program (www.sharmusic.com) where you get 4 different bows to try out for a week. Send back the ones you don't want, pay for the one you keep. Right now I'm waiting for my order... if it's an enlightening experience I might post again. Heheh... Kristina
rdsenkowski Registered User (3/11/01 7:49:34 pm) Reply	Re: bows Thanks for the info Terri - extremely informative. Kristina, I emailed Shar for more specific information. Please do let me know what they send you and what you think of it.
FrozenYankee Registered User (3/11/01 8:32:18 pm) Reply	I like it... I bought the Glasser composite bow for $245 from Shar. I like it a lot. I have absolutely no regrets buying it. Richard
lblake Registered User (3/11/01 9:23:19 pm) Reply	Re: Bows, Bows, Bows & Andrew Victor I can tell you what I'd have gotten, if I were choosing from the three you mentioned. (And, I believe I've tried at least one of each that you mentioned). I'll even tell you if you're curious. Andy's review IS great. However, I think Andy leans more towards the Glasser Composite even than the Glasser Carbon Fiber - but I wonder if he is saying that more out of his violin experience with those bows. The reason I say that is because on every other bow, I came to almost identical conclusions as Andy... however, I have played both a Glasser "Carbon-Graphite" and a Glasser Composite... and I very very much preferred the sound, response, and handling of the carbon-fiber. (i mean, carbon-graphite). It's possible that Andy and I just disagree on that one, of course... but if you can, try both. On the other hand, of course, bows are very personal. Someone recently compared them to shoes - and I think that is an excellent comparison. OH! And, I have used Shar's bow approval program, too, and I think it's great! Edited by: lblake at: 3/11/01 9:23:19 pm
rdsenkowski Registered User (3/11/01 10:13:44 pm) Reply	Re: I like it... That's good to know. Thanks!
rdsenkowski Registered User (3/11/01 10:17:54 pm) Reply	Re: Bows, Bows, Bows & Andrew Victor That's funny, because when I read the article I thought he favored the Coda Conservatory. But I guess you are talking about the Glasser models only. This is such a hard decision to make. I do appreciate everyone taking the time to give their input. It does help a great deal.
Andrew Victor Registered User (3/12/01 9:27:07 am) Reply	Bows--- It's been some time since I wrote that review, although I have updated it recently - and it was based entirely on my violin bow experiences, although many of my cello bow observations were not very different. But I've since come to realize that the instrument you try a bow on can also be critical to your decision, and this is true whether you are trying a $100 bow or a $10,000 bow. I suppose my main thought in recommending the Glasser Composite was that it is such a good place to start because it is quite affordable and can do a job for one on many instruents - including cellos. But there are some instruments that will definitely give you better (and different) sound with other bows. I have found the Glasser (and Durro) bows to be very easy to play with in terms of responding to hand and finger motions easily with the proper effects on the instruments and being well balanced for playing. However, all of these bows come with some range of weight and balance, from bow to bow, and this can have a major effect on which you find easier to use. While I have not tried a Musicary cello bow, it should also be in your price range, rdsenkowski, and you might try one. In my more recent experience with a Musicary violin bow, they are more "advanced" (I think is the term SHAR uses for these bow characteristics) than the Glasser/Durro bows, and harder to handle, but capable of giving more effects in response to the proper right-hand stimuli. Pernambuco bows at the low end can be very finicky and differ quite a bit more from one to the next than do most composite bow brands. But still, they are not to be ignored. Something to watch out for is that bows are often "overhaired" and should have less hair to play properly. The "ribbon" of hair should appear solid and fully [side to side] - yet very thin - across the ferrule of the bow and also even at the tip. (Only if your hand is really clean of skin oil should you try this - but if the hair ribbon feels very thin and even at the frog, then it is probably thin enough - if it feels like it has any widththen it is probably to thick, except of it's an Arcus bow which needs more hair to compensate for the extreme stiffness of the stick). The amount of hair effects the tenson in the individual hairs when the ow hair is tightened and this affects the response of the bow and the sound it gets from instruments - it can even affect the range of stroke effects that come easily when playing. Unfortunatley, one cannot change the amount of hair in a bow that one has on approval. Andy
rubycello Registered User (3/12/01 10:51:16 am) Reply	Re: Bows, Bows, Bows & Andrew Victor Andy You should definitely try the new Arcus bow models if you get the chance. Apart from the weight change, the balance point has been altered slightly on two of the new models improving performance even more. Keep up the good work with the reviews! allyxa
rdsenkowski Registered User (3/12/01 3:15:29 pm) Reply	Re: Bows, Bows, Bows & Andrew Victor Hello Andy! Of course I couldn't wait to get my cello. Music 123 let me know it would be approx. 3 wks to get my Silent Cello. However, today was very fortuitous. I had to stay home from work because my son, come to find out, has two inner ear infections. After medicating sufficiently, I hit the road and traveled to a music store with a selection ( a bit of a haul). But what rewards! I walk in the door and there sat my cello. Also an experienced cellist demonstrated the different bows for me. What's more, the owner of the store matched the prices I had been qouted on the internet. So now I am a proud - read extremely proud - owner of a Yamaha Silent Cello and Coda Conservatory. I also picked up the Suzuki Cello School books and tape. I couldn't have done it without everyones guidance. Thank you so much. Short cuts you say??? Oh please. do tell.
lblake Registered User (3/13/01 10:49:58 pm) Reply	Re: Bows, Bows, Bows & Andrew Victor Congratulations! Sounds like you've got a terrific set up to start with!