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Viola or Cello Bow
Should I get a Viola or Cello Bow for this?
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JoeP

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April 27, 2013 - 9:48 pm
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New Acquisition... a 5-string Octave Viola.  An octave below my 5-string violin.  I think I'm in love ;-)

For the time being I am using my Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber bow, tightened more than normal and with added pressure.

Question is, should I go for a Viola bow (the fiddlerman CF viola bow of course) or a Cello bow?

and, here's what it sounds like:

 

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StoneDog
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April 27, 2013 - 9:54 pm
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The LOW end on that is SWEET!!!!!

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JoeP

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April 27, 2013 - 10:03 pm
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I have to be careful not to drool when I play it ;-)

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Iaen
Magnolia, Tx

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April 28, 2013 - 12:43 am
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Love the tone.  Quite a range.  According to this ( http://www.musiccenters.com/dem.html  ) the cello bow is shorter than the viola bow.   Are you looking for a weight difference or what?  

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Picklefish
Merritt Island, Fla

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April 28, 2013 - 5:04 am
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House of the rising sun?   I recommend a viola bow although the bow you are using sounded great.

"Please play some wrong notes, so that we know that you are human" - said to Jascha Heifetz.

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JoeP

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April 28, 2013 - 9:01 am
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Well, I admit it was a feeble attempt at House of the Rising Sun near the end of the clip just playing by ear and not playing well but still fun.

As far as the bow goes, I don't know enough to know exactly what I'm looking for.  All I know is that with the violin bow I have to make it pretty tight and apply quite a bit of pressure constantly.

joe

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Iaen
Magnolia, Tx

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April 28, 2013 - 10:10 am
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Ok, pure guess work here.  You are looking at about a 1" difference in length between the 3 types of bows on average.  Starting at an average of about 60g for a violin bow add about 10g more for each step up in styles.  Add in differences in ribbon width in the hair on the bows.  Adds more hairs also.  Hmm, makes for even more questions.  Maybe adding more weight to your violin bow say in 5 gram increments until you find something you like.  Nothing permanent just something stuck on with painters tape or something like that.  Spread the weight out evenly.  Might work as far as the weight difference but not the width of the ribbon if that effects the sound?  Maybe go to a nearby fiddle shop (if you have one) and check out some different bows there.   Good luck figuring it out.  

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Ferret
Byron Bay Australia
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April 28, 2013 - 5:46 pm
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I have a Fiddlerman viola bow. It's very good. I'd go with one of those thumbs-up

I've been using mine on both my viola and fiddle lately. I find the extra weight good.

Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of dunno ..... What was I saying???? facepalm

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Guest
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April 29, 2013 - 5:07 pm

WoHoHoW!!!! That's so cool! I love this monster!!!heart Beautiful!!

You definitelly should try some viola bows! And use viola or cello rosin, i've heard they are more usefull to grip thick strings. Though it already sounds fantastic!!!

surprisedlaughdancing

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JoeP

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April 29, 2013 - 9:18 pm
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Well, after various consultations, the most important being with the former owner and my fiddle teacher, I ordered an inexpensive Cello bow with next-day delivery.  I may be able to post an update tomorrow evening.

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Fiddlerman
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April 30, 2013 - 8:55 pm
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Must feel great to be able to play that low on a viola. :-)
I have an octavizer for my electric which is also super cool.
Thanks for the post.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Iaen
Magnolia, Tx

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April 30, 2013 - 9:18 pm
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Looking forward to hearing the difference.  

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May 2, 2013 - 4:16 pm
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JoeP said
Well, after various consultations, the most important being with the former owner and my fiddle teacher, I ordered an inexpensive Cello bow with next-day delivery.  I may be able to post an update tomorrow evening.

Cool! Cello bow.. hmmm... Curious!amuse Won't it be too short? dunno

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