Carbon viola bow

Description

A carbon viola bow has great performances for its price. Besides, you can see how the fibre is woven through the stick: this gives a sober and modern look to the bow. Compared to what you can find for wooden bows in the same price range, the stick is rather stiff and nervous. It is also fitted with natural horsehair.

 

Characteristics of the carbon viola bow

The stick is made of carbon fibre and resin. Its cross-patterned warping is charcoal-grey, with a shining finish. The frog is in ebony and has an eyelet in abalone just like the frog slides. The fittings, the button, and the ferrule are in nickel silver, an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc that looks like silver. However the head plate is in plastic.

First of all, the weight of the set for the viola bow is 71g, which is the standard. As for the stick, it displays a very even density distribution. That’s why this bow is rather versatile, and thus can fit a lot of musicians.

It is alsoavailable for viola, cello, and bass.

 

 

What your violin-maker thinks about the carbon viola bow

I can hear the purists say that a carbon bow can never equal a Pernambuco stick, that it does not offer the same performances as its wooden counterpart. All in all, this is fairly subjective.

Yes, a great Pernambuco stick is better for studying, because it teaches you not to go for the easy solution, and learn how to control your stick first and foremost. However, such a bow also comes with a different price So, yes, a carbon bow is far from flawless: but it is still the best bow for its price. Responsive and nervous, it displays great performances that can even go beyond what the much more expensive wooden bows offer. Admittedly, the only thing that could hold you back is the modern and cold look of the carbon fibre.

What’s more, if you need a spare bow, it will be just as good as any other, even for the most advanced players.

 

Read more about bow maintenance

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