JonPaul
JonPaul Carrera Violin Bow
Model
Frog
Review Videos
Jonpaul Carrera Violin Bow review
The JonPaul Carrera bow will redefine your experience of playing with a carbon fiber bow. It was modeled after an exquisite French Pajeot that was on loan. Old French feel and rich tone were required to meet the challenge and we are very pleased with the results. While the Carrera includes the classic features of our other models (one piece construction, etc.), special attention is given to each aspect of bow making to achieve yet another level of playing and sound. Improvements were made in balance, weight, and flexibility, not just to enhance the techniques of the player, but to create the warm, rich, and powerful tones of the best wooden bows.
The appearance is also enhanced with a textured, “varnished” finish. Unique and beautiful, yet the classic red-brown colors are discreet enough to blend into any collection.
The Carrera is Sterling silver mounted with options of traditional ebony frog or white water buffalo horn frog.
Firm or Flexible
The JonPaul Carrera bow comes in two stick strengths, firm and flexible. Both types are used by players of any skill level. Generally, a stronger stick is well paired with a darker sounding instrument. This strength can pull more sound from a particular instrument when needed. A more flexible stick will round out and soften a bright or more focused sounding instrument. The player’s personal taste and playing style will add another variable into which model is best suited for any instrument.
Stick Material: Carbon Fiber
Bow Length: 29.5
Bow Weight: 59-60 grams
Frog Options
- Ebony (Standard)
- Black Horn
- White Horn
Customer Reviews
- Reviews
- Questions
Great Bow!
I'm a professional symphony violinist of 35 years and have always experimented with different bows and instruments. I've tried all the carbon fiber bows made by Codabow, and really liked the Marquise GS bow, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. The shop I was going to didn't have any JonPaul bows at the time, it was about 3 years ago that I started looking at carbon fiber bows. I was really intrigued with the beautiful JonPauyl Carerra bow. I researched some YouTube video review on the Carerra and decided to try it out. Wow! I REALLY like this bow after having it a couple weeks now. I got the Firm version with white horn frog. First, it's beautifully made, excellent craftsmanship. However my experience with the frog color was similar to a review I read from someone else who bought the white horn frog. The color is MUCH darker than the ivory color in the photo. It's more like a medium beige putty color rather than ivory. Not a huge deal but I would have much preferred the lighter light ivory color shown in the photo. Second, the performance is really good! It outperforms my much more expensive Pernambuco bows that I've used for decades. It's so stable and predictable on the string, as well as off the string spicatto and other bow strokes, soft or loud volume. It draws a pretty supple round tone, yet also can produce a bite in the sound when asked to. I'm SO HAPPY I gave this bow a try and will probably make this my go to bow from now it. It's such a joy to play with. I highly recommend it. I have one negative comment regarding Fiddlershop service. I never got any confirmation when the bow was shipped or would arrive, no tracking link, nothing. I called them TWICE asking the status after several days had gone by. I spoke to a live person each time and they were extremely nice and professional. I asked if could I get a tracking link or status on my order? I was assured they would look into it and let me know, but I never heard any anything back or got any email with shipping info as promised. However interestingly enough a day later after the second call my bow arrived. So glad to get it, but I wish Fiddlershop would have been better about letting me know about the shipping info. They dropped the ball on that.
I returned both bows because it was a home trial. They were on par with the highest end coda bow.
JonPaul Carrera Bow.
Fiddlerman is fantastic in all ways. It is my go-to for online order of string “things.”…. This bow replaces a Coda Luma bow, since Coda Bows refused to honor the warranty on that bow, which I had for about 3 years (it had a defect in the screw area which was not long enough, and they refused to replace the screw or “drill out” the space for the current screw.) I will never own or recommend that corrupt company! The weight and the balance of the Carrera Bow is quite nice. I ordered the “bone” color, and the frog is darker than I anticipated, but that’s aesthetics. It plays well, and it does all the things a gig player wants from a bow. I will recommend JP bows to my students and my colleagues if and when they look for a new carbon fiber bow. …. I am enjoying it, and it’s serving my needs.
Forever Bow
I purchased this as my “forever bow” after playing an Arpege model for several years. I was concerned that there might not be much difference, but I needn’t have worried. This one handles and sounds superior in every way. Despite being heavier than my Fiddlerman Pro bow, the “stiff” Carrera stick has similar adjustability and is quite lively due to superb balance. It actually brings out potential in my instrument that I didn’t know was there, so it’s a keeper! Oh, and the white horn is lovely…
Game Changer!
Quick somebody punch me! I just got my Carrera bow today and holy smokes! I’ve been playing on this thing all day! This bow is incredible, a beast of a bow it compares well to my $4000 pernambuco bow! I’ve always wondered about a better carbon fiber bow as I also have the JonPaul Vibrant which was okay, till I got my pernambuco bow. The difference between the Vibrant and the Carrera is worlds away! It feels and looks like a real wood bow and I was surprised how light it was yet still so firm and strong! I’m so excited to keep playing and bragging about this bow and hope it never lets me down! I got the Firm and you don’t have to tighten it very much which I was surprised by! I’ve got an audition on Sunday and I’ll definitely be using this bow! If you want an outstanding carbon fiber bow go for the Carrera!
Fiddlershop
About Us
Fiddlershop is a small family-owned business located in South Florida. Since 2012 we have been serving the string community with quality instruments and accessories. We believe that music and instruments should be accessible to everyone at a price they can afford.
