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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) 
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x Coach

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January 5, 2019 - 9:54 am
Member Since: November 22, 2018
Forum Posts: 70
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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.

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bocaholly
Boca Raton, Florida
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January 5, 2019 - 11:14 am
Member Since: July 8, 2018
Forum Posts: 694
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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.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
January 6, 2019 - 1:30 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16430

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."

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