PRO or NO? Testing the Fiddlerman Pro Series Violin Bow

[@violinlounge]

Buy your Fiddlerman Pro Series violin bow right here: bit.ly/2CjLboN (Fiddlershop also sells the other brands featured in this video)

[@WoodyMcKenzie]

Aside from how these bows that you have compared in this video sound, I'm curious to know whether you think they are very different in their response and playability. You can make them all sound great, but in terms of playability, how do they compare? I ask this as a fiddler who plays for dances, which can sometimes be physically demanding, playing continuously for long intervals. I had a Coda GX and while it had a good strong tone, I sold it and use much cheaper pernambuco skinned carbon fiber bows I bought from a Chinese supplier. They don't sound quite as good, but they are really well-balanced and play with less effort. I felt like the Coda bow was heavy and a bit slow. I'm wondering whether a much lighter bow would be a better choice for me. Or do the lighter, hollow bows require more bow pressure to drive the strings? Thanks!

[@violinlounge]

Hi Woody, I would recommend to take a look at an Arcus S-series. They are light and stiff at the same time, so they are very light to handle and don't require much weight to make a big sound. I've done some reviews for them, check them out at www.violinlounge.com/bow

[@WoodyMcKenzie]

@@violinlounge Thanks! The Fiddlerman Pro is more in my price range. It's actually on sale now. I think an Arcus might be the ultimate bow for me, but right now, I need to improve my skills to justify spending more on a bow. I found your review very helpful, especially the fact that you think this bow is agile enough to not limit the player, not that I am capable of some of those fancier techniques! :-)

[@terrymartin3567]

Woody, have you considered the Codabow Luma model? It is much lighter than the Codabow Diamond series bows. I haven't had the opportunity to test any Codabows or Fiddlerman bows, but I have watched a review of the Luma bow, provided by a classical trained violinist who is also a skilled fiddler, and he loved the quick string crossings and quick response of the Luma. You probably already settled on a bow, since your original post was two years ago, but thought I'd chime in just in case. Best wishes on the bow hunt!

[@WoodyMcKenzie]

@@terrymartin3567 Gee, it's been awhile! I bought the Fiddlerman bow and liked it, but traded it for a Musing C3 after comparing them and after having a set of email conversations with Bernd Musing. I had two very good musicians with good ears who are not violinists listen to me play the two bows and they both thought the Musing bow sounded better. So I played on the Musing bow until it needed a rehair (I wear bowhair out from one side. I play hard, fiddling at dances and jams.). I mailed it off for a rehair and on the return it was lost in transit. My luthier sent me a new replacement and it was significantly heavier I returned it. the others available were also heavier than advertised. Finally, I ended up with an Arcus P5 for about twice the price. It is by far the best bow I have ever had and handles like a dream. I wish I had gotten one of these years ago.

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

Sounds like a pro! That is when you haven't heard the other ones yet. But it is certainly not bad at all.

[@violinlounge]

Yes, it's an interesting new comer!

[@DivaDeb1234]

I need to try . My bow hair is very thin now. We went back to Corona lock down .

[@violinlounge]

Stay safe!

[@alishacuddy2473]

I am debating between the fiddlerman pro, codabow sx, and Luma, which you say is better for someone only been playing a year?

[@violinlounge]

It’s highly personal what you find that plays nice and fits your violin. I’d say order them all three and try them out!

[@alishacuddy2473]

I have all 3 and I can't pick 😞 they all have qualities I like. So im half tempted to hold off getting a new bow, and stick with the basic fiddlerman bow till I can use something or afford something nicer.

[@violinlounge]

@@alishacuddy2473 how about trying a Müsing?

[@alishacuddy2473]

I have a c3 in my trial as well and it was ehh for me I didn't love or hate it. I may revisit that one.

[@violinlounge]

@@alishacuddy2473 I’d keep trying until you find a bow that you really love and stands out.

[@TheFiddlingViolin]

Which Codabow was it that you compared with? I paused to see if I could tell from looking, but couldn't tell for sure which of the Diamonds it was.

[@violinlounge]

Sorry for not mentioning that... the Diamond GX.

[@TheFiddlingViolin]

@@violinlounge Thank you, that's the one I assumed, but I wanted to be sure.

[@felixhesse4096]

Can you show us a German now hold and the Russian and franko Belgium with all the pros and cons

[@violinlounge]

Sure, here's a video on that: violinlounge.com/video-french-german-belgian-russion-american-bow-hold-violin-lounge-tv-248/ and here's an article all about bow holds including those you mention: violinlounge.com/article/evolution-of-violin-bow-hold/

[@peanutman1]

How about the bow compare with Arcus bow? Which you would prefer to ?

[@violinlounge]

Sze Yuen Lee these are both Arcus bows. For more reviews and comparisons, check out my bow guide at www.violinlounge.com/bow

[@yvonnesegers3214]

Dankjewel Zlata!

[@violinlounge]

Graag gedaan, Yvonne!

[@itzikovadia851]

It is too expensive for me

[@randlyons7278]

Oh my God, she's a poet. She probably doesn't even know it.

[@violinlounge]

Rand Lyons 🤣probably a bad one

[@randlyons7278]

@@violinlounge You sweety.

[@manishkhanna1586]

Your violin sound and violin is too good unfortunately its not available in india....😔

[@violinlounge]

I'm sure there are other good violins where you live. I always like that relaxed style of native India violin playing :).

[@manishkhanna1586]

@@violinlounge thank you so much ☺️....can i ask you a question?

[@violinlounge]

Manish Khanna sure

[@manishkhanna1586]

@@violinlounge how to be a part/member of orchestras in Foreign? Bcz i want to be a part/member of big group of orchestras by the way I'm a trumpeter.

[@violinlounge]

@@manishkhanna1586 I think you have to inform about that locally.

[@scharnhorstkaisarbeethoven]

Are you German living neighterlands

[@violinlounge]

schärnhoaŕst blücher .jayvardhan nope, I’m Dutch and half Czech.

[@scharnhorstkaisarbeethoven]

@@violinlounge I love your English with German accent

[@scharnhorstkaisarbeethoven]

@@violinlounge or Dutch accent

[@violinlounge]

schärnhoaŕst blücher .jayvardhan thank you 😊