Electric player using 1/2 size bass.

[Richard Prowse]

What's the latest on that double bass playing Chris?
Any luck getting a bow?

[Chris Rapadas]

Richard,The DB is coming along great!Thanks for asking!I'm still messing around with the setup but,the playing is going great.I have not been able to get a good bow yet but,I am practicing w/my violin bow.Soon,I will be getting a decent bow and,the books that you guys recommended(My first Simandl.).

I am really looking forward to this learning experience.I really want to get into the arco stuff as,it seems I really am drawn to the notes when bowed like,that is the sound of a Bass that,is the sound I've always heard in My head.

I'm still looking for a teacher though.I will keep you guys posted and,I will be putting some pictures together for,a thread documenting the whole crazy fiasco of getting this bass to play(I'm sure it will be very entertaining).Till then,FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNOW ALL THE BAD HABITS YOU KNOW I'M PICKING UP FROM NOT HAVING A TEACHER!!Oh yeah,I'm looking for 3/4 so,any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!

[Richard Prowse]

Good on you Chris. I don't know about that violin bow though. Pity you're not near as I'd lend you a student bow. The best thing you can do is check out other arco players (youtube is good for this). Check their posture.
It's exciting that you're doing this.
Keep us posted.
Richard

[Chris Rapadas]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

Good on you Chris. I don't know about that violin bow though. Pity you're not near as I'd lend you a student bow. The best thing you can do is check out other arco players (youtube is good for this). Check their posture.
It's exciting that you're doing this.
Keep us posted.
Richard

O.k.,I'm looking for a bow.I have a few questions for y'all.First,German or French?Also,since I will be bowing a 1/2 size bass should I buy a 1/2 size bow?My thinking is I should buy a 3/4,4/4 bow since I will soon be making the transition to 3/4.

Richard,I wish I lived near as well.You are very kind.Someday I hope to show My kids that part of the world(soon I hope!They are almost grown!).Anyway any help in this department would be great.

BTW I am considering this:

[Richard Prowse]

German or French? There is really no answer to this question.
Fans of both bows will give you good arguments.
The French is probably better for string crossing and German probably gives you a bigger tone. I've used both and really would be happy to use either. I changed to German about 3 - 4 years ago because of a hand injury. I have put a lot of work into this bow and love it. I personally prefer the tone I get with this bow, which I hear as 'darker'. I am now a definite German fan and wouldn't want to go back... I used a French in a shop a few weeks back and it felt a little unfamiliar, but I'd soon adjust again, except for the old injury. I love Edgar Meyer's playing with the French.
I think that you should definitely get a full size bow, as you will be getting a bigger bass. I drive an old car, but I still put new tyres on it! (What a silly comparison!)
The bow in the picture looks fine to me, but I am definitely no expert... I hope Ken takes a look for you.
I hope you make it to NZ some time soon. An afternoon or six of bass playing would have to be on the agenda.

[Chris Rapadas]

I just won a Albert Nurnberger bow.I was just seeing what I could get instead of a no name Chinese one.I came across this- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...8002&rd=1&rd=1

Anybody know anything about these?From what I can gather I may have done well.I also realize this bass was listed with an inaccurate description .I have watched this seller for some time and, believe the bows he is selling are ligit.The Sartory violin bows he sometimes sells are just like mine.What do you all think?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Chris Rapadas

I just won a Albert Nurnberger bow.I was just seeing what I could get instead of a no name Chinese one.I came across this- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...8002&rd=1&rd=1

Anybody know anything about these?From what I can gather I may have done well.I also realize this bass was listed with an inaccurate description .I have watched this seller for some time and, believe the bows he is selling are ligit.The Sartory violin bows he sometimes sells are just like mine.What do you all think?

Sorry, what you got was a forgery copy (name wise only!), most likely from China. Read this about the real Albert Nurnberger from this link;

"Nurnberger, (Franz) Albert II ( 1854 - 1931 ) Worked with his father, Franz Albert I, ( son of Karl Gottlieb ) in Markneukirchen. His father founded the bow making school there. He ( Albert II ) established himself around 1880, using Vuillaume, Tubbs and Touerte bows as models. His brand was also used by his son, Karl Albert ( b1906 ). The earlier bows are superior to the latest models with this family. Others include Johann Christoph, who worked for 5 years with Vuillaume and Philipp Paul, son of Albert II, who established himself in 1897.
Nurnberger Brothers bows- many of the family members stamped their bows "Albert Nurnberger." Franz Albert I (1826-1895) was the son of Karl Gottleib Nurnberger. He founded the bow-making school in Markneukirchen, and instructed there for twenty-five years. He was supposedly a student of Bausch. Frantz Albert II was an established bow maker around 1880. He became one of the the most prominent bow makers in the world. Some of the family productions are more of the "shop" variety. Others rival French bows"


You can expect to pay at least 2-3k for a real Nurnberger Bow. I sell Bows from Classics down to well made Quality Bows made in China as well 'with' names I made up for them from famous Bass makers. Having a name on a Bow means you have a name on a Bow and that's all. From the Ebay pictures, it looks like Brazilwood and finished like many typical Chinese bows as you can see the scratches under the finish on the head/tip of the Bow.