Optimizing the taper-camber relationship in bows for string instruments

A violin bow's taper (graduated diameter) and camber (inward or concave pre-bending of the stick) are important tools used by expert bow makers who know by intuition and experience how to match the two parameters. We have analyzed the static forces in bows and constructed a mathematical model t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 2010-03, Vol.127 (3), p.1791
Main Authors: Graebner, John E, Pickering, Norman C
Format: Article
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Summary:A violin bow's taper (graduated diameter) and camber (inward or concave pre-bending of the stick) are important tools used by expert bow makers who know by intuition and experience how to match the two parameters. We have analyzed the static forces in bows and constructed a mathematical model that reveals a simple relationship between taper and camber. For any given taper, the model predicts a preferred camber and vice versa. A machine has been constructed for accurately measuring the diameter and camber profiles, and measurements on several dozen bows of various degrees of playability provide support for the model.
ISSN:0001-4966
1520-8524