JOHANNES' TECH-CHECK Chapter 2 - Bows - testing the ARCUS bows | LONG VERSION

This is chapter two of my Tech Check. This time I try out Arcus carbon fiber bows and form my view on them. Are they as good as Arcus says? Are they better or worse than other carbon fiber bows? Can they really compete with the best wooden bows? Let's find out! I can promise a more then surprising result!

This video does not contain any paid advertising. I will buy this bow with my own money.

[jassonrossos]

Finally a proper soloist trying out carbon bows with an open mind and talking objectively and not about "magical powers" of wood. Excellent video

[genloke]

For quick comparisons
6:36 Conventional CF bow
8:46 French bow
10:35 Soloist's own gold mounted bow
13:16 T7 round
15:48 M7 round
18:42 P7 octagonal
21:39 S7 octagonal

[omarteran]

Yeah just bought an S6 and it was a very huge upgrade. greetings from Mexico!

[rikbardyn]

That was really very interesting ! Thx for sharing your experience !

[svenhannes]

Ein toller, ausdrucksstarker Test, der sich auch absolut mit meinen Erfahrungen deckt!

[RobManser]

Thank you for this comparison, I’ve been listening with interest as I’d like a new bow and have never tried carbon fibre. I currently play with a Pernambuco bow I chose from a trial of five about 15 years ago. I'm not very good at the cello, but I do like a nice sound 🙂

I’ve listened with fairly good headphones and my decent hi-fi back and forth to the two wood bows in the mid-range extract Johannes plays: 9:11 and 10:55, and in the low-range Brahms extract: 9:33 and 11:15, and compared to the same extracts with the Arcus T7 carbon bow: 13:35 and 13:55. To my ears, the two wooden bows have a warmth and roundness to the sound. With the French bow (the first of my two links) this is pure and smooth, and with Johannes’ own bow (second links), this has a slight, almost nasal, edge to it. The carbon bows? Well, the T7 sounds immediately clearer and more defined, but in doing so it seems to have lost the warmth and roundness to the sound – it’s a little harsh. This is a good thing in the Brahms he plays, as there’s warmth and depth in abundance inherently with the low strings and we can enjoy the extra edge and clarity the carbon bow gives; but with the mid-range that inherent warmth isn’t there so strongly, and I prefer the sound from this part of the cello's range being bolstered by the warmer sound the wooden bows generate. I found similar with the M and the S.

[YolandaMarcelaEnriquezMendez]

Genial!!! Excelente video!! lo compartiré con mis amigos/alumnos de violín, teníamos dudas con los arcos de fibra de carbono, mil gracias por compartir tu experiencia con nosotros.

[Kwert]

While the number grading doesn’t necessarily mean the bow is going to be “better” for you or your cello, I would encourage you to try the 8 range.

When I was trying Arcus bows I tried within the range of 5 to 9, and for me the S8 round stick ended up being the best. Of course it’s largely personal (I had colleagues that preferred the M6 largely based on feel), but I felt a pretty significant difference between the S7 and 8, and not much of a difference between the 8 and 9.

[ultracello]

Cool video! Thank you recording this! I'm using S8 oct and it's the best bow I played so far. Have a nice cello play, man!

[geraldliu]

Very interesting. In these recordings, I can really hear the difference. I will be trialing the P6, P7, and P8 very soon for my viola. In the end you liked the octagonal or round carbon bows?

[cellist.guillermo_ortega]

May I ask where did you find the little pieces for improving your grip in a normal bow (described at 25:55) and which material are they made of?

Thanks in advance!

[alvarogantuz]

Having heard your bows carefully with good studio speakers, I have to tell you that your French bow is the best, because of its spiritually healing condition. Sorry, arcus do not have that yet.