Testimonials - Amateurs and Student Bass Players

I had an early to mid 1900's Mittenwald carved student bass. I play in an orchestra, and this bass really lacked the necessary "punch". I upgraded my wooden bow to a Jean Grunberger Carbow last fall, and it certainly helped. In January this year I went to England to pick up my new Thomas Martin 5-string double bass, which was designed to be a powerful orchestra bass. This bass is great for orchestra work. I was fascinated by how the Carbow was better than my wooden bow, so I decided to try your Sinfonia and Concerto models. I called Judy Fenn, and she said she had just sent some bass bows to David Gage, so I called them to get these bows for evaluation. The Concerto really stood out for my bass, so I bought it. I can easily deliver a much more powerful sound with less effort than any other bow I have played. I went to my weekly lesson, but I did not tell my teacher I had a new bow. He said "Your bass is really opening up nicely". That wasn't it at all --- it was the new bow. Tone-wise I found the lower strings deeper and the high G-strings notes cleaner and less fuzzy. This bow does not play like other bows, so using the Concerto and a wood bow is only confusing for me. I am now selling both of my wooden bows, and I have bought a very cheap fiberglass bow to use for a couple of days when I get the Concerto re-haired. I will be spending some time with spiccato bowing soon, but the amount I have tried it leads me to believe it will be fine. It will just take some adjustment of speed, force, distance off the strings, and closeness to the frog. This needs to be done with every new bow, so I expect this."

Steve Wright, Winegrower , Barto, PA

   "I am playing in an amateur orchestra for at least twenty years now. Recently I learned about the different types of composite bows. I got interested in Arcus as they are the only "pure" carbon bows. I tried a Sinfonia German, then bought it.

   I find the Arcus provides me with a new feeling and sensitivity. It produces a very rich volume as soon as I make a move, without using too much rosin, and without forcing excessive pressure with the right hand. A very proper pianissimo will sound with the slightest touch of the Arcus, which is very light to handle with ease and very consistent from frog to tip. That really surprised me! Up to now I had thought that the Bass would always be more "stubborn" in its response than a Cello and one has to bow with utmost precision, because of its nature, such as the extreme length of the strings and the huge body size. I have also had the opportunity to try a cheaper "normal carbon bow", however, it is completely different.

   The sound quality of Arcus, which is more interesting, is very genuine and straight. When I tried it in turn with my previous wooden bow, Arcus appeared definitely superior in reducing unwanted wild dancing of the bow. Now my right hand is very comfortable and the bow is easy to move at my will, freed from unnecessary trembling. To achieve certain shades in the music it may be necessary to do a little more on the left hand.

   After some months with my Arcus, I realize though that my instrument sounds as natural as it originally should. As for rosin I now love a Petz with smaller number after Colstein which I previously used.

   To those who are planning to try an Arcus, I would advise to admit the difference from the very start: An Arcus is a different thing from a wooden bow. Then you may need to arrange or invent yourself appropriate ways of playing. The stick is more straight, for instance; and the wider space between stick and hairs may propose you a few things. You might hold the bow in a more upright position from the string, and you might loosen the hair a bit. Then you will realize how efficient the Arcus is in its high quality.

   While Arcus may surprise you, finally, with its somewhat robust appearance, I would call it a good wild health. The silver tip is very beautiful with its sharpness, so much so that I am very satisfied to possess my Arcus!"

Hideaki Takagi, Nagoya, Aichi Pref., Japan

"I just bought a Sinfonia. The negotiation was very simple. The Sinfonia reacts predictably and lets the bass speak. It is very comfortable and relaxing in the hand."

Greg Kehret

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