Dr. Don Rickert Revisiting the Best Bow for Octave Violins and Fiddles Question

In an earlier post, I (Don Rickert) presented more or less a summary of what various musicians use to play octave violin or octave fiddle. In that post, I mentioned that the extraordinary 'cellist and also really good fiddler, Natalie Haas, uses a French-style 'cello bow on her octave violin. Natalie has since informed me that she is now using a violin bow. I did not ask her the characteristics of her bow, as we had other business to cover; however, I assume (i.e. if I were her), I would choose a "heavy" violin bow. ALL violin bows weigh in the 56-58 grams range. A "heavy" bow is one whose balance point is further away from the frog, so that it feels heavier and "grabs" the strings with more force.

That update being covered, I will talk about my two favorite bows for octave violin; the Glasser Braided Carbon Fiber Octagonal Viola Bow and the new CodaBow Diamond Series NX Viola Bow, also a "braided" carbon fiber (meaning epoxy-saturated carbon fiber fabric wrapped around a core) bow.

The Glasser is pictured on the left and the CodaBow on the right.

The Glasser's core, as far as I know, is proprietary or I was not paying attention when I was told. The CodaBow's core is composed of Kevlar strands. The Glasser is slightly stiffer, the octagonal shape contributing somewhat to this stiffness, as the octagonal is far stiffer than the Glasser round shaft version of the same bow, which I do not like. The CodaBow has a round shaft but it is plenty stiff, just not so much so as the Glasser.

I have to say, I love both bows. I suppose that the CodaBow feels a little bit more like a really good wooden bow, but nowhere near as bouncy. The CodaBow seems to have a bit more "pull" when a lot of two string chords are involved. The Glasser is a bit faster on melody parts.

Bottom line is that one needs both, but if I had to choose one, I would choose the CodaBow for octave violin, as most of my octave playing is chordal "second fiddle" accompaniment.

Both bows cost about $400 and are, of course, available at www.AdventurousMuseStore.com.