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Re: bows for guitars
On 4 jul 2007, at 01.00, L.A. Angulo wrote:
> Hi Gang,
> id like to start experimenting with bows which work
> better for guitars and can you spare some techniques
> string gage etc.?Although Jimmy page has been an
> inspiration i didnt find his bowing technique
> particulary exciting,any other artists out there?
> thanx!
> Luis
Most guitarists seem to like the cello bow best. Myself I went for
that size by recommendation, but I have not really tried a different
type. More important than string gage is the shape of the guitar's
body to actually make it possible to get at the strings with the bow
in a comfortable way. On Fender guitars it's generally hard to bow
because the plane of the fret board is so close too the top of the
body, so you are constantly risking to hit the side of the guitars
body with the bow instead of the string. On my Stratocaster I can
only bow the lowest E string without major effort.
The way bowed instruments are built they have a much more convex
finger board than any guitar has, so that's why it's so difficult to
bow only one strings, especially one of the center strings. The trick
here is to mute other strings with your left hand rather than being
picky about not bowing non intended strings by mistake. Least
problem are with the E strings that are on the sides and as such
gives you a better bowing angle.
To get a good vibration you need to grease the bow with wax an this
grease is ruining the strings completely for any normal guitar
playing. Therefore it's a good idea to use the bow last during a
recording session because afterwards you need to take a brake to put
on new strings ;-))
Greetings from Sweden
Per Boysen
www.boysen.se (Swedish)
www.looproom.com (international)