Ooooh, got a package!

...this is gonna be tough.  

I hate jumping to conclusions, but the Octagongal Arcus P6 VIOLA bow definitely has a richer sound than the P4 I tried earlier! 

The balance makes it feel like an extension of my fingertips and will also be great for playing on my 5-string violin!   

For being so light, I'm still amazed that it doesn't take any effort to illicit immediate string response...so cool!  Makes double stops easier! 

...can't get a Codabow Viola bow this light.

Delighted I'm not finding a bouncing issue with this P6 Octagonal bow - like I did with the previous P4. Thought maybe I was just playing better, but...

Also trying another 'Round' P6, because these bows are picked to sound close to a standard for each category - which means there are still differences within each category, and this round stick is definitely bouncy (more than the previous one I tried)... not good. 

...now I need to see how I feel about both of these bows after a week of playing. 🤗

Actually, I could've easily passed over the Arcus bows - still NOT pleasant to hold, at least not without a little tweaking.  Like I said earlier, the edge of the frog where the thumb sets against, is thick and blunt - NOTHING like the comfortable bevel on the Codabows! 

I don't know about anyone else, but if my thumb isn't able to set right & securely, then my whole hand feels 'off' & it effects my playing!  So, I temporarily tied a rubberband around the stick, left just enough room for loosening the hair - this makes the stick thicker next to the frog, a better spot for my thumb.

Now, MUCH more comfortable! 

I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE anyone who is having trouble with their bow grip to consider this: if I end up purchasing one of these bows, I'll file a little bevel on the frog and thicken the thumb pad.  Or, you can try another recommendation in the Bow Grip Thread - post #22. 

- Emily

@ABitRusty -

I have, and from what I've seen, will always have to make a small modification for my thumb and grip - even the Codabows don't have a thick enough thumb pad for me. 

I'm noticing more professional violinist's bows modified with thicker thumb pads!  Bow makers should take note of this! 

I AM a little peeved that I have to adjust anything for this cost, but maybe there's people out there that prefer that tall, blunt edge on the frog and thin thumb pad - maybe people with large, fat thumbs. (lol) 

What's more important is I can't adjust sound, the way a bow draws, I refuse to adjust balance - so, right now, I'm really very happy with the Arcus P6 Octagon stick.  It's definitely the best I've played!

...I just want to take the time I'm given to make absolutely sure this is what I want. 

Btw, your decision to choose the Joule over the Escent helped me quite a bit! 

Thank you! 😊 

- Emily

@ABitRusty -

If I try anymore Codabows, they would have to be Violin bows - to use on Viola. 

🤔... you told me you didn't like playing your Viola with your Luma.

Do you like playing your Viola with your Joule? 

@ABitRusty -

The Viola Codabows are ALL too heavy (for my liking), but I tried the Joule anyway.   

@Mouse -

Oops... just so there's no misunderstanding 😳 my cryptic cat/mouse reference was only about me and the bows - my struggle with things that are hard to swallow/accept.

- Emily

Changed my strings - I may not get as loud as with Virtuoso Soloist strings, but I like the regular ones better. 

As far as the bows go, I still have a few days left of the trial.  I prefer the Octagonal stick, but honestly, I'm becoming much more impressed with how good my brown FM CF Weave bow can sound - this VIOLIN bow is definitely holding it's own against the VIOLA bows! 

June 1st was my 3 year mark - this might just be a magic number.  I've noticed major improvements over the last couple months and I'm pretty happy with the way I sound on Edgar.  It's getting much easier to apply different bowing techniques & learn new pieces.  All of my recent extra focus on bows and bowing has been tremendous help - maybe perfect timing for where I'm at in my learning process.  ...I'm sure people who have had the benefit of a teacher are way beyond me, but this has been a GREAT experience! 🤗

I haven't recorded anything using these latest bows, so I might try this weekend - just to see if there's much of a difference from what I hear. 

All the VIOLA Arcus bows may sound better on a wood instrument - I do LOVE their balance and they engage effortlessly.  The P6 will be hard to part with.

The VIOLA Codabow Joule is still an excellent sounding light-weight bow - enjoyable to play with, if you like a little more weight at the tip end. 

...still want to try the FM Pro & the Codabow Escent VIOLIN bows - maybe even a Baroque bow. 

I'm extremely grateful for the Fiddlershop home trials.  I had originally thought it would be so much better to visit a shop in person and spend time trying many different bows all at once.  I've changed my mind about this - not so sure it's possible to really understand all the characteristics of a bow in a few short moments.

If there is one thing I hope VIOLISTS take away from all this: consider trying one of these lighter Viola bows if you want to play your Viola like a fiddle - also consider a VIOLIN bow. 😊 

- Emily

So much for those reviews, S series is discontinued for Viola bows!

There might still be a few floating around, but I'm not tracking any down. 

...bummer. 

Just for the heck of it, I had Kevin weigh all 3 bows this time - my brown FM CF weave Violin, and the 2 Arcus Viola bows. 

Turns out my brown FM CF weave is 59gms - lighter than my other black one! 

These 2 Arcus are both 58gms.  Confirms what I suspected about the balance of this Octagonal being more toward the tip than the Round, because it feels a little heavier.  I was hoping for the opposite, a lighter feel - like the P4 Octagonal I tried earlier. 

My point is they are all close in weight, which I think has made it easier to compare other qualities.