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.

AAA
Avatar
Please consider registering
guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed Topic RSSsp_TopicIcon
Violin Bow
Upgrading my bow
Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 (0 votes) 
Avatar
x Coach

Advanced member
Members
January 5, 2019 - 9:54 am
Member Since: November 22, 2018
Forum Posts: 70
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

I bought the fiddlershop soloist for Christmas, already owned the carbon fiber bow that cost $68. Should I upgrade to the Holstein for $200 or coda prodigy for a better sound. Opinions please.

Avatar
bocaholly
Boca Raton, Florida
Members

Regulars
January 5, 2019 - 11:14 am
Member Since: July 8, 2018
Forum Posts: 694
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Hi x Coach. Hope you get a lot of input. Here's mine:

I've never played a Coda but like Michael O'Gieblyn's straight talk on the Fiddlershop sight. There's a lot to be said for a forgiving bow of that good quality. That's your CF option. 

The Holstein bow is pernambuco. I brought several to my teacher to try a while back and she was truly impressed - from the no-stars to the three star which she bought as her goto personal bow. It's not a beginner bow per se but a great price/quality relationship. My guess is that it will be more lively than the Coda. But you don't need to guess. Ask Fiddlerman :-)

Subjectively, unless I were planning on spending much more on a pernambuco bow down the line, I would want to have that experience (and you already have a serviceable CF.)

My beginner experience between my 4 bows (one pernambuco, one brazil wood, one hybrid CF with pernambuco veneer and one very light and pricy CF) is that the easiest to play and learn on (and not the most expensive) is a 61gr brazil wood which happens to be slightly light at the tip. I think this business of balance point is a meaningful criterion for any player.

So here's my usual suggestion. Call Fiddlershop and ask one of the several experienced violinist who answer the phone how your two options compare in that and other respects. Because, in the end, if you're comfortable with the feel, your bowing and your sound will improve more easily.

Avatar
Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 6, 2019 - 1:30 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16537

I agree. The Holstein Pernambuco bows are a great match with the soloist and you can't beat the price. There are several levels to suit most peoples budget but any one of them will pair well.

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

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 696
Currently Online: Gordon Shumway, AndrewH, Strabo
Guest(s) 71
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Members Birthdays
sp_BirthdayIcon
Today None
Upcoming fryserisnon8, Picklefish, Tammy, Shell, Schaick, GlassTownCur, Violinista Italiano, Ogre, djroger, marcnaz, VirginViolinist, Cearbhael, eugenephilip572
Top Posters:
ELCBK: 8840
ABitRusty: 4303
Mad_Wed: 2849
Gordon Shumway: 2743
Barry: 2690
Fiddlestix: 2647
Oliver: 2439
DanielB: 2379
stringy: 2375
Mark: 2273
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 3
Members: 31781
Moderators: 0
Admins: 8
Forum Stats:
Groups: 16
Forums: 84
Topics: 10864
Posts: 138035
Newest Members:
jeni2024, Goldenbow, joanie, hunmari01, lydia.vertu SP, Thavence SP, tcaron21, Ustiana SP, DennisRathbone SP, Dan
Administrators: Fiddlerman: 16537, KindaScratchy: 1760, coolpinkone: 4180, BillyG: 3746, JoakimSimplePress: 0, MrsFiddlerman: 2, Jimmie Bjorling: 0, Mouse: 6097