View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
seammc Member
Joined: 04 Feb 2014 Posts: 58 Location: peru,ma..usa
|
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 12:33 pm Post subject: Bow profile observation |
|
|
I have a bow that came out of Czechoslovakia (1930's vintage) that has a reverse taper up towards the frog. It is a fantastic bow
If any one would like to explore the little reverse taper to see what it does .. (about an hour at most)
. take a bow that is not important to you (mine was a 15$ beginners bow) and remember that it will be changed fore ever
Measure the diameter at 10 inches from the in side of the tip
scrape the diameter at the 19 inch point to the diameter measured at the 10 inch point (A little fat won't hurt)
from the 15 inch point reduce the diameter to the 19 inch point with a nice transition similar to the other end
from the 19 inch point make a smooth transition towards the frog (about 3 inches) back to the bow size
put the bow to violin to see what happened
I think you will find that the bow now vibrates as does the violin
The above is pretty radical (and some what arbitrary) but there is a point to be made, and that is that the muting properties have been changed ...
go to far, the sound will tend to be earthy, something which only a gypsy could love ... and of course, that I did to see what happens
The bow that I just modified was about the saddest statement on bow making ever. The wood is a dirty blond color, no definable grain, but would make a noise at least, and would shoot a soda straw across the room ... Now it works on my good violin ..not all that bad ...legatos are good, grace notes are great, and sound is a little dark because I over did it
Jim _________________ @ 75 years old ,time for something new |
|
Back to top |
|
|
seammc Member
Joined: 04 Feb 2014 Posts: 58 Location: peru,ma..usa
|
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:54 pm Post subject: poor performing (cheap?) bows |
|
|
Can any one verify this
Re; bow curve: I have noticed that the better bows have the apex on the tip side of center where as the poor performers the apex tend to be back from the center and towards the frog ..
.could be all wet, but I don't think so ..
or maybe its just a china thing
Jim _________________ @ 75 years old ,time for something new |
|
Back to top |
|
|
JG Junior Member
Joined: 06 Mar 2014 Posts: 23 Location: Vancouver
|
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: poor performing (cheap?) bows |
|
|
seammc wrote: |
Re; bow curve: I have noticed that the better bows have the apex on the tip side of center where as the poor performers the apex tend to be back from the center and towards the frog ..
|
Is this of matter of better and worse bows, or more one of period and style? I thought Tourte centered the camber along the stick, but later 19th century makers moved it towards the tip for better strength, but at a cost for legato playing. Not sure who if anyone still builds a classic Tourte model though. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
seammc Member
Joined: 04 Feb 2014 Posts: 58 Location: peru,ma..usa
|
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 4:54 pm Post subject: Re:bow apex variation |
|
|
better and worse bows and worse is usually super cheap and my bows fall into both categories 3 horrible -3 fairly good ,and 1 super good ..just a collection from over the years and they all fit the apex observation ..none have the apex dead in the middle
Jim _________________ @ 75 years old ,time for something new |
|
Back to top |
|
|
seammc Member
Joined: 04 Feb 2014 Posts: 58 Location: peru,ma..usa
|
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 5:42 pm Post subject: Re:bow apex variation |
|
|
The number of bows that I have is not a large enough sampling to draw a conclusion but there is a cloud of suspicion
I do find Tourte's center apex interesting and will one day pursue it I like whole bow legatos.
Jim _________________ @ 75 years old ,time for something new |
|
Back to top |
|
|
JG Junior Member
Joined: 06 Mar 2014 Posts: 23 Location: Vancouver
|
Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 3:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Regarding the question of the musical behaviour of different bow designs, I just came across this article on the website of a Texas maker:
http://www.ervinviolins.com/tourte_bows.shtml
The writer is promoting the Tourte model over subsequent models in which the camber is differently executed. If the claims made here are true, it's hard to see why anyone other than a virtuoso soloist would want a modern bow. Then again, these claims may be no more than reckless hype. No photos or other information are given for the maker's own bows.
I imagine the real situation is less black-and-white than this advertising material suggests. It wouldn't surprise me if current makers use all available design ideas in building to suit a given player or class of players (for example students, orchestra players, soloists). I wonder if any bowmakers here would care to offer comments on the practical differences for musicians between the Tourte design and more recent models. Thanks! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|