Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Private messaging is working again.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
The only logical explanation is that I was tightening the hairs a bit too tight I guess. I was taught a pencils thickness between the hair and the bow. I don't know. I was practicing droning at the time and possibly was doing it a tad bit hard but I don't think I was. Anyways, it was only a $50 bow. But it and my violin are brand new so that's the part that sucks. I either get the same bow or I can get a carbon fiber bow for $80. Thoughts? I like the idea of a carbon bow but I'm sure purists will say it's no good. Opinions are welcome!
Offline
Wow, that's too bad! I didn't know that could happen. Where did it break?
I've got Fiddlerman's carbon fiber bow and I like it. And his price is lower.
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
It broke at the head. The head almost perfectly broke off parallel to the bow. FM's is very tempting. I'm probably gonna go trade in my el cheapo Chinese violin for a new carbon bow at my local shop. If I don't or something falls through I'll definitely get FM's bow.
Offline
You should return the bow. There must have been something wrong with it. A bow shouldn't break like that. You wouldn't believe the abuse I give my bows.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
Yea, I bought this violin and bow from my instructor as I wanted to support him even more than my local shop. He's amazing and helpful just like you FM. I felt great giving my money to him instead of my local shop. I've bought enough from them, they won't miss out lol. So hopefully he'll be cool about it. It does seem odd. I expected hairs to break off if I ever tightened it too hard, not the actual wood to break.
That should never had happened, even to a cheap bow. I would definately return the bow and get it replaced and buy a CF bow from FM then you'll have two bows and one will be a good CF bow for when you buy another violin.
If you want to see someone beat up a bow watch Fiddlerman on his video playing a Yanni tune. The hairs are breaking and he's just playing on.
Regulars
Offline
I agree 100% with everyone. Defective bow. Return and get a CF bow from FM. I love mine and its the same weight as my Pernambuco bow.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
Honorary tenured advisor
Regulars
Offline
I agree with everyone else, had to be a defect in the wood. I have 5 bows and the FM CF is my fav.
Honorary advisor
Regulars
Offline
Awww, dude! That has to suck. He,y hope ya get a good one this time. Try to get the teach to replace it. And if you do get the FM bow from Fiddlershop, lemme know how ya like it. Always nice to get honest opinions from the cool cats in here!
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its entire life believing that it is stupid." -Albert Einstein
Members
Offline
I also agree with everyone that there must have been a flaw in the wood for it to break like that. I very much doubt that it was anything you did.
CF bows are supposed to be very good for durability, but I can't say for certain since I have never used one. Lots of good players seem to like them though, so I have been considering one. Might be a good bet for you, for reliability, good weight and the other characteristics.
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
I just got back from my local shop. I traded in my Chinese violin straight up for a CB bow. So I guess that's good. Again, not trying to take away from FM. I just wanted to get rid of that violin anyways and I wouldn't want to wait 5 days for a new bow. It's ultra light, I'm excited to play with it!
Members
Offline
If one doesn't at least somewhat support the local music shop by buying at least the items one can't really wait for.. Eventually you may not have a local music shop.
"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman
Offline
Congratulations.
What is a CB bow by the way?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
Offline
Carbon Black? 
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
Offline
Ahhhhh I understand. Carbon Bow. I must have been half asleep. All in all it probably wasn't that bad of a deal. How much did you pay for your Chinese fiddle. Some Chinese fiddles cost thousands of dollars and worth every penny.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
LoL. Yea, I meant carbon bow. And I payed $150 for the violin and I got an $80 GVC CFX bow for it. So I was happy. I didn't have to spend any money and I have a little bit better bow than I had. I just got done playing a little bit with it. I do like it. I actually think that with that bow I'm feeling the notes more with my bow hand. My bow hand has good positioning of the fingers and whatnot, but I think it has loosened up. My hand has never really followed my arm like a paint brush like FM has shown in his videos. However, I believe all of a sudden I am doing it. It feels different because the up and down strokes require a shift of weight in my fingers (assuming I'm doing it properly). Hopefully I can actually start doing it all the time so that I can show my instructor (if he doesn't call out again) to see if I'm doing it properly.
Oh yea, I should be getting the slipper shoulder rest this week too. I'm excited!
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
Good for you Hman, i think the carbon fiber bow is my next investment. My bow is decent, but i only have one and think an extra is in order.
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
Yea, can't go wrong with carbon fiber for anything right?!
Honorary advisor
Regulars
Offline
Now all ya need to do is post of vid of you playing with your brand new toy!!
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its entire life believing that it is stupid." -Albert Einstein
1 Guest(s)
Mouse
ELCBK
Jols
Strabo
