It's a personal thing, finding a bow that suits.
My daughter wants to try your Astute bow because of the favourable reviews, the fact that you (as a viola player) were instrumental (pun intended) in the creative process, and because the bows looks beautiful (the appearance of the bow matters to her).
She will be also trying the Codabow Nx [from another shop], because of its popularity and potential resale value when/if she goes to upgrade.
[UPDATE: 2 months later] My daughter ended keeping the first bow [from two trial shipments].
I appreciate that you sent us other bows for her to try, it helped her come to the decision that she wanted keep the first [Astute].
Thank you for making the process as hassle-free and as enjoyable as possible.
Rhiannon was kind enough to let me trial a couple bows at the same time as my violin trial.
I tried the Voxy Vogue and Astute, and eventually settled on the Astute. Mostly because I liked the balance and sound slightly better, but also because it's pretty while still being carbon fibre, which was essential because I'm a klutz.
Sort of a similar situation to my violin trial, I thought I preferred the (lower priced) bow because it feels and sounds very similar to my current bow that I'm used to. But I think the Astute produces a slightly nicer tone (I might be imagining that though, because no one else could tell the difference).
At first it didn't feel like much of an upgrade, but after playing with it exclusively, going back to my old bow feels like playing with a hacksaw. So much more smooth and precise.
I'm a street fiddler in Hamilton Ont. I used to use a Presto bow currently, the Audition. I recently bought a carbon fiber pernanbuco hybrid bow called Voxy Astute.
It's the best bow I've ever had and I've been playing 40 years.
It's comfortable to play, warmer and less stiff than straight carbon fiber and although a bow doesn't make you play better it makes less strain on my tendinitis.
It’s easier to execute moves a clunky bow doesn't. Perfectly balanced and draws a sweet tone.
I don't trust some unknown ebayer. As a player herself you can trust Rhiannon and avoid those online deals at other shops that really aren't.
I'm glad I bought it and this old fiddler recommends it.
The bow functions much like a Coda bow, as you promised.
I have been spending some quality time evaluating your Voxy Astute carbon-buco bow as well as Fiddleheads' Simpatica VN-45 Pernambuco bow. Both are wonderful bows and I wanted to keep them both! But I needed to make a choice.
I loved how clear and articulated the notes seem to be with the Astute. I wasn't sure about the weight at first, but then I had been using a very lightweight brazilwood bow previously. It 's just something to get used to as you play the bow. I do enjoy not having to be overly concerned about breaking it and its good for the trees right.
As for the Simpatica VN-45 bow, I also liked the feel and the warm tone it produced, but I felt I could draw more tone out of my violin with the Astute.It seems very smooth in bowing. It's also slightly lighter than the carbon I find.
Since I had a lesson anyways coming up, I offered both bows to my teacher to try herself. Being classically trained, She initially curled up her nose at the thoughts of a carbon bow, so I offered the VN-45 first. She liked it, but was not entirely thrilled. Her response was the same as mine, that it was somewhat muted but warm in tone and well balanced.
When she tried the Astute, she immediately perked up with a look of surprise on her face. She looked at me and asked, "This is carbon? It's nothing like I remember carbon bows sounding like."
I asked her to elaborate and she expounded on how it seemed very much clearer in tone and brighter sounding. She also mentioned that the balance was very good.
She also took a moment to look it over and was impressed with the Pernambucco "skin." She thought it was very nice looking and she couldn't tell it wasn't solid wood.
She not only tried them both not once, but many times! Switching back and forth and listening intently. In the end she had to admit she was very impressed and that I would do well with the Astute bow. I'm glad she agrees with me.
Decision was easy after that! I'm keeping my Astute.
The Astute bows both have exceptional balance and tone, even more than the Codabows I tried.
Thanks for trying different bows for me. Your recommended bow is a very good match with the Topa.
I'm certain that after babying the violin for a few more months, its sound will make me proud of my decision. In fact, I already know that I've made a very wise choice by relying on you.
Thanks for the gift, we like the violin pins very much. Dominic will play violin tomorrow at his Kindergarten graduation. He request for wearing the pin
It's quite similar, really, to the old bow I have-- a good thing, except the new mountings are prettier, and the balance points are slightly different, both from each other and the one I have.
So I've given both bows a thorough workout, both by myself and with a band. The new bow I find [to be] a very nice bow, and it pulls a sweeter tone on my fiddle than my other carbon bow. It handles very well despite being slightly heavier.
The extra weight and mid-range balance point (I measure it about 243 mm, excluding button with loose hair) allow me to do some things a bit better than with the old one, so they'll provide a nice complement to each other.
The elasticity of the sticks is very similar, just the right degree of stiffness for my taste.
I like these bows more than any of the Codabows I've tried, including the recent models.
Hats off to the maker. [Coda] seem to be quite the marketing juggernauts.
And thank you for the violin pin. My 21-yr-old daughter plays violin also, and I'm sure she'll enjoy having it.
Thanks again for your great service. The new bow and I are fast becoming friends.
[UPDATE] I am enjoying the new bow, and it has been performing admirably. It seems to be losing hairs a bit faster than I like, but then I always go for top-quality rehairs. It's a fine bow.