Supposing someone very nicely offered to buy me a new bow for christmas :-) ........

.....and I'm very interested in the Glasser CF bows......would people recommend the carbon graphite versions or the (top of the range??) braided carbon graphite version?

I am currently approaching grade 4 standard and the plan is the upgrade my violin in the next few years but to upgrade the bow first.....

Would appreciate any opinions!! I intend of course to make contact with Liz who appears to the be knowledgable one in this area!!

Thanks in advance for your help.

Orla

Orla, my daughter tried on of these from Liz a few months ago, she liked it very much - the second favourite of 7 she tried. The one we bought was more expensive though.

Oh thanks for the reply! Which model did you daughter like best from Liz's selection? Was it a different CF bow you went for in the end or a wooden bow?

I'd give Liz a call, she'll send you some on approval. The braided CF is great, but you may not like it. The best way to find out is to try it.

A few of my traditional fiddler friends have bought the braided ones from Liz, one of whom says he actually prefers it to his old (and outrageously expensive) French bow - how much of this is due to a simple desire to stop the old French bow from being stood upon by a drunken customer in the pub, of course, I couldn't say... then again, he does play a fiddle worth more than most people's cars and doesn't seem to mind bringing that to the pub, so perhaps he really does favour the CF bow.

I like them, I know loads of other people who do and a lot of people swear that for the same playing qualities in a wooden bow, you'd have to pay lots more. They do sound different to wood, mind you - not better or worse, just different - and the playability of them is amazing.

Give them a go!

Orla, she bought a wooden one in the end at £300. It was german I think, cant remember the exact name (short 4 letter word !) but Liz would remember.

Thanks for all the info!

I've sent Liz an email so that sets the ball rolling. I have played briefly with a carbon fibre bow once before and was amazed and how much "easier" it felt so I'm really hoping that I like one!

One final question - any ideas of how to try the bow out thoroughly - scales, pieces, just what I regularly play and compare it to my current bow?

Thanks again!

Hello All,

Just thought I would update you on my bow search.......I'm now the proud owner of a Glasser braided carbon fibre bow and am delighted!

It is so much easier and feels more natural to play with than my old bow. Thanks again to Liz for excellent service!! She sent me 3 bows on approval over Christmas and it was very hassle free!

Happy New Year everyone.

Orla

Hi Orla

I'm a bit fed up with my bow I tried a CF at the same time I tried the bow I have (around a year ago). It seemed lighter and produced a brighter tone which I quite liked but I went for the heavier (more expensive) wooden one... now I want to try the CF again

I would never have thought the bow would make such a difference until I heard Tasmin Little give a demonstration of two of her bows. On the same violin she played one which she used for large concert halls and one she used for small chamber set ups. The difference was amazing!

So how are you enjoying your new bow now you've tried it out?

(I think having both in my case would be really useful: my 'big' heavy wooden one and the light CF for when the mood takes me Pity I can't afford a new bow just now )