Après les cordes en matériaux synthétiques, les violons et archets en carbone, voici une nouvelle fibre synthétique qui est sensée remplacer le crin de nos archets. Suite à un travail de l’Orchestre de chambre de Toulouse réalisé en 2010 en collaboration avec l’Institut Français du Textile et de l’Habillement, une nouvelle génération de mèche pour archet a été mise au point. Ces fibres synthétiques nommées « Coruss » nous proposent de remplacer le matériau traditionnel utilisé depuis des siècles par les musiciens et luthiers.
The problem of synthetic horsehair
Every innovation is designed to meet a specific need, and in this case, Coruss, the brand created to sell this new type of horsehair, offers to make up for all the shortcomings of natural horsehair by providing acoustic results that are as good, if not better(but that's of course up to the manufacturer).
Defects in natural horsehair
Although horsehair has been used for centuries to make bow strings, it has flaws that could be blamed on any product created by nature. Coruss points to these:
- Irregularity: even a high-quality wick is made up of hairs of varying diameters, and all at random!
- Inconsistent quality when sourcing(as with any natural material). You're never quite sure you've bought good quality horsehair until you've put it on the bow and tried it out.
- It absorbs and releases moisture: as a result, its length and the tension of the stick change as the musician plays, modifying playing sensations and technical gestures.
- It frequently breaks while the musician is playing.
Finally, high-quality horsehair is rigorously sorted and selected by hand. This time-consuming process comes at a price: for top-of-the-range horsehair, prices can rise to well over 2,000 euros per kilo. However, this quantity of material can handle between 100 and 200 bows.
A vegan alternative
Although it may not be a criterion you think of at first glance, Coruss synthetic horsehair is a vegan alternative to horsehair. That's why many animal-sensitive musicians choose to use this fiber.
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The benefits of Coruss
- The diameter(s) used are perfectly controlled: we know how many hairs of each diameter make up the wick.
- The wick can be partially or totally hydrophobic at will, so you can control its possible elongation during play.
- Coruss offers elasticity and diameter control according to the musician's wishes, to compensate for the weaknesses of particular bows.
- The filaments are very strong and won't break during play.
- Coruss wicks also last twice as long (up to seven times, I've seen).
- Finally, they are sold at the same price as high-quality natural horsehair.
A few comments on fiber
I've already noted a few comments concerning the use of this new fiber:
- It can be used on any string with the same efficiency: gut, synthetic and metal. Which is the least you can do to replace traditional horsehair.
- Coruss wicks react in the same way with different types of rosin. It does, however, require more when first used.
- Fiber is generally more elastic than natural horsehair. It therefore requires a tighter installation, which will loosen up in the first few days.
- Fiber density is lower than natural horsehair, so strands will need to be fuller than usual.
- When the wick is damp, it can be flamed.
On my first use, I was particularly impressed by the results of this fiber. I must even admit that it's relatively difficult to tell the difference between this and natural horsehair. Only the very slight "whistling" produced by the friction between the strings and the horsehair seems characteristic to me. I don't think anyone other than the musician can hear it. But we mustn't forget that, in any case, we're talking about a very different material that doesn't offer the same characteristics. So the comparison is rather pointless.
It should also be noted that this hair tends to give more power and clarity to the overall sound. This characteristic, while flattering in some cases, may not appeal to everyone.
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Testing Coruss horsehair
It's also possible to try out bows mounted with Coruss synthetic hair in the workshop, or even to replace your current bit. If you'd like to give it a try, don't hesitate to contact me and make an appointment at the workshop, so you can make up your own mind. Last but not least, you can also check prices on the page dedicated to bows.
Coruss in the workshop store
