Teresa Hargrove
3 comments By Teresa Hargrove
Fiddles don't make sound without a bow (unless you want to play pizz all the time.) I seldom hear an assessment of how the bows used in these less than scientific experiments factor in. Aside from the fact that bows were rather different in Stradivari's day, some bows just don't work with some fiddles, and what does work is not only subjective, but also a matter of experimentation (i.e. how the player adapts).
That said, it's still fun to explore our perception of the sonic products of several fine instruments.For security and comfort, I have found nothing better than Michael Kimber's Poly-pads - and they cost way less than $25.
When I treated myself to violin shopping for my 40th, I wasn't all that thrilled with anything in my price range. Trying bows was another story. My friend listening to the best violin I'd found that wasn't more than a few $K out of my target range said, "but let's hear your instrument again with the French bow. " I bought the bow and had my (also French) fiddle reappraised (gained about 40%). Happy and spent less than I'd anticipated too!
I find students with only $100 to spend do well with carbon fiber, but it scares me a bit that when presented with a better wood bow, many prefer the carbon sound. I think it comes from listening to digitally compressed music on tinny ear buds. Please, young folks, go to live concerts in good halls! Otherwise, you have no idea what you are missing.
Commented on: 7 November 2018
Blind testing Strads and Guarneris misses a fundamental point