Cello Bow

[Globaltruth]

I'm buying a new cello bow for one of my grand daughters.

We are off to Tim Toft Violins in a couple of weeks so she can test out a few.

There are budgetary constraints of course (her latest cello, recently acquired, is full sized and second-hand, sourced by her teacher). Her current bow is held together with gaffer tape and doesn't hold tension well; so can be improved on.

I'd really appreciate any advice from any cello players out there as to what to look out for. This advice can be at any level - I do not play a stringed instrument so have no clue.

If you want to avoid the 'endless debate' posting feel free to PM me direct.

Thanks in advance.

PS apologies for posting here - have I missed the Instruments thread?

[mikealdren]

I would start by asking her teacher and take any bows on approval for her teacher to appraise them before buying. For students, there's a lot to be said for Carbon Fibre bows, at least there is for violinists.

[Globaltruth]

Thank you - very useful.

Tim Toft Violins was specifically recommended by her teacher so, yes, it makes sense to involve him.

Could you expand a bit more on the carbon fibre recommendation please?

[mikealdren]

Bows are traditionally made of wood, an expensive Brazilian wood called Pernambuco is the best but it takes skill and the best wood to make the best bows so they are expensive. More advanced bows make a huge difference to the sound and also have implications for the bowing technique but for a less advanced player, this is much less important.

Bows made from Fibreglass are popular and cheap but Carbon Fibre is a better material (although more expensive) for the stick.

You haven't told us what standard of player your daughter is or your budget so it's difficult say much more.

I don't know Tim Toft Violins but a reputable shop should certainly be able to help and the teacher should be able to select which bow is the best for a player.

[Globaltruth]

My grand daughter is Grade 5.

Just back from Tim Toft violins and I definitely recommend them.
They had a room prepared for her with a selection of 3 bows within our nominated budget (absolute max. was £400).
She tested them blind and the first one she rejected was the carbon… So pernambuco it was. She chose a Hoyer bow after trying the others on several pieces.
The Hoyer was well below the maximum budget too.

Mr Toft’s advice was to revisit the carbon next time - he emphasised the durability and strength. She just found it too light.

We then spent a very happy time looking at some of Mr Tofts collection of unusual violins. The dance master’s miniature, a wooden one inlaid with over 800 pieces ( unplayable) and a heavily carved 18th C piece were amongst our favourites.
He also had one painted in his footer team colours signed by Gordon Banks.

All in all, a fine day and a bow she is happy with.
Thanks for replies, apologies for omissions and hoorah for Tim Toft violins.

[Padraig]

All in all, a fine day and a bow she is happy with.

I'm glad your grand daughter found a bow, Global. Obviously a tricky task, and in the end the best person made the decision. I wish I could have helped, but. . . however, I know how your grand daughter felt on handling the carbon fibre and finding it too light. On retirement I got a present of a carbon fly rod - very expensive, the latest must-have in 1987. Though I missed the heft of my old rods and it took me a while to trust the lightness of the carbon I did get used to it and never went back to cane or fibreglass again.
Just an old angler's tale, and that's no lie.

[Globaltruth]

I'm glad your grand daughter found a bow, Global. Obviously a tricky task, and in the end the best person made the decision. I wish I could have helped, but. . . however, I know how your grand daughter felt on handling the carbon fibre and finding it too light. On retirement I got a present of a carbon fly rod - very expensive, the latest must-have in 1987. Though I missed the heft of my old rods and it took me a while to trust the lightness of the carbon I did get used to it and never went back to cane or fibreglass again.
Just an old angler's tale, and that's no lie.

I use carbon fly rods too Padraig so I know precisely what you mean; and I've had similar thoughts too - its a question of lightness of touch.
I think she'll end up with one down the line (ha), but for the time being this was the right choice - part of it being that she made the choice herself.
Her birthday is in January so it's good to have that and a Xmas present sorted out in one go.

By the way, I also have a cane fly rod - handbuilt for me by a traditional rod builder I knew who had retired. It's a veritable wand of a thing with the lightest of touches and also an object of immense beauty. We both had as much pleasure in agreeing a specification and in-progress discussion as I have had from the rod too I suspect. Many happy hours in the workshop attached to his house.
My point being that you don't have use the latest material for that delicacy of touch...I guess carbon has been superceded too now.

Oh, by the way, that particular grand daughter is the one who comes fly-fishing with me, since she was about 6. We've had some grand evenings together.

[Padraig]

Oh, by the way, that particular grand daughter is the one who comes fly-fishing with me, since she was about 6. We've had some grand evenings together.

As a fisherman's yarn, G, that beats Banagher!

Why don't you tie a special fly for her - call it the Garinion . . . . . . .(fada on the second i)

[ardcarp]

When my father passed away we had his violin valued by Beare's in London. We were rather staggered that when the expert saw the two bows. He picked one up up and was clearly very interested in it. He said it was probably worth nearly as much as the violin. (It was a sought-after French make, I gather.) Both violin and bows remain in the family, BTW.