COMPANY PROFILE BARNES & MULLINS
playing experience to varying degrees, but there are few products that are as important as the bow is to the violin. The clue is in the name, of course: bowed instruments. When you take this into consideration, it is baffling that little attention is given to bows. Here’s an opportunity, then, for them to get some much-needed limelight. The US bow maker Codabow provides
Taking a bow A
round the world of MI, almost all instrument categories include accessories to aid the musician’s
Two areas where Codabow has made a
real difference to players are with its bow camber and bow balance innovations. “Camber refers to the arc of the bow
shaft, typically measured when the bow hair is at full rest,” says Van Fossen. “Optimum camber is largely dependent upon the material properties of the shaft. Codabows are crafted using stable materials to exact specifications, yielding bow performance that is predictable and consistent throughout. The camber on all Codabows will never require adjustment.
bows for string enthusiasts with varying levels of skill and ability. Whether a student in the early stages of development or an accomplished solo artist, Codabow targets all musicians. The brand traces its history back to the
commercial introduction of carbon fibre in the early 1950s and the product is made by a team of craftsmen and scientists, blending tradition and technology to produce quality, performance bows. Stan Prosen, a key player in the composites industry, is one of the pioneers of this carbon fibre approach, along with Roger Zabinski, who is up there with the most respected traditional bow makers. Completing the trio is Codabow chief executive Jeff Van Fossen, a mechanical and aerospace engineer. Together, they have started a trend with carbon fibre bows that professionals now follow.
34 miPRO OCTOBER 2010 “
The control of balance can be
engineered exactly. Jeff Van Fossen Codabow
“Balance is perhaps the least
understood and yet one of the most important characteristics of a performance bow,” he adds. “The ‘balance’ that a player feels is a combination of two properties: the static balance and the dynamic balance points. The location of these two points strinbgly influences the playability. “In the case of traditional wood bows whose material properties are defined, the
The GX is designed to be the ideal bow
for those looking to replace their pernambuco model, the SX is best as a touring bow for the busy musician and the NX is for advanced players who want to make their first steps towards becoming a fully-fledged professional string maestro. The most innovative of the Codabows,
the Joule, offers performance unobtainable from materials traditionally used.
The use of modern technology might be less common in the orchestral string sector, but Codabow has been using contemporary techniques to make its bows for decades. Adam Savage sees what they’re all about…
maker has limited control over balance. Because of the material properties of Codabows, the control of balance can be engineered exactly, so the dynamic and static points can be placed precisely where they serve the player best.” There are a number of different ranges
available from Codabow through Barnes & Mullins that cater for players of all levels. Starting from the top, the Diamond
series is available for violin, viola and cello and consists of three model levels: the GX, SX and NX.
Originally developed for extended range and electric instruments, this design is capable of commanding power for the lower range, while still allowing colour and nuance for the upper range. The Prodigy is another product that
Codabow feels can enhance the performance of a player. Precision- engineered to provide professional characteristics at an affordable price, the Prodigy is ideal for more experienced students. The balanced shaft delivers off- string agility, usually found in high- performance bows, while providing ease of use and comfort for younger players. Not forgetting double bass, Codabow
has created the Infinity and Revelation bass bows – the former more suited to soloists and the latter for orchestras. Prices start at £275 for the Prodigy and
currently peak at £720 for the double bass Revelation bows. “Players have really taken to Codabow,” comments Bruce Perrin, B&M’s joint MD. “I spend a lot of time at string players’ summer schools and events and I have worked hard to promote the benefits of carbon fibre bows wherever possible. “Many players are very happy to try and buy an alternative bow, so with import restrictions on endangered woods such as pernambuco, having a strong, reliable and high quality replacement is now an essential consideration.”
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