Expanding Hands Music LLC 2023
The Cymbow was born from my frustration with the fragile, slack and clumsy bows available to me until I discovered a Turkish Spike Fiddle bow while working in Istanbul. It was smaller, allowing me easier use inside the confines of a western drum kit, and I could adjust the tension with my thumb or fingers while playing. This instant RE-tension gives me a way to find the grit/grip to match the grain of my different cymbals.
After a few years touring, my Turkish bow deteriorated so I modified it with popsicle sticks, glue and gaffers tape until my friend the luthier, Ed Reynolds, rebuilt my bow with stronger wood. That bow stood the test of time with Y2K King Crimson, until it frayed and I set about trying to create an even better stronger rock n roll bow from the ground up. . . years go by . . . Enter Kevin Andrews (Expanding Hands Music). To say Kevin moved the design to the next level is an understatement!
P@,
After a few years touring, my Turkish bow deteriorated so I modified it with popsicle sticks, glue and gaffers tape until my friend the luthier, Ed Reynolds, rebuilt my bow with stronger wood. That bow stood the test of time with Y2K King Crimson, until it frayed and I set about trying to create an even better stronger rock n roll bow from the ground up. . . years go by . . . Enter Kevin Andrews (Expanding Hands Music). To say Kevin moved the design to the next level is an understatement!
P@,
Originally designed as a cymbal bow, Cymbows are equally at home used on guitar, upright bass, or any other instrument that you may want to bow.
Cymbows are largely hand crafted. The basic shapes are laser cut from ˝” poplar and the logo is laser engraved. All other work; additional cutting, drilling, filing, sanding, steel reinforcement (16C-only), appling finish, attaching hardware, bow hair, etc is all hand done and in the USA. Because of all of the hand crafting, each Cymbow is slightly different. They are made at expanding Hands Music in Atlanta Georgia.
Cymbows do not have the traditional flat ribbon of horse hair. Each one has a full “hank” of Mongolian horse hair tied on at each end. The black sleeve at the rear of the bow is where you can add extra tension beyond what the thumb nut can provide, and it keeps skin oil and sweat off of the hair.
Your Cymbow will arrive with a bit of rosin on it, but you will want to get some rosin of your choice right away to apply as needed. As you bow cymbals, strings or whatever, the rosin will work its way off the hair. Different people prefer different rosins, so there is no perfect rosin for everyone. Many are available. The rosins that are considered very “sticky” can actually grab too much and break the hair when it’s being applied to the bow.
Rosin should be applied with the hair fairly tight.
Cymbow will fit in most stick bags.
Cymbow loves effects ? put your bowed cymbals into reverbs, delays, detune with pitch shifters, whammy it, loop it. Party.
Cymbows are largely hand crafted. The basic shapes are laser cut from ˝” poplar and the logo is laser engraved. All other work; additional cutting, drilling, filing, sanding, steel reinforcement (16C-only), appling finish, attaching hardware, bow hair, etc is all hand done and in the USA. Because of all of the hand crafting, each Cymbow is slightly different. They are made at expanding Hands Music in Atlanta Georgia.
Cymbows do not have the traditional flat ribbon of horse hair. Each one has a full “hank” of Mongolian horse hair tied on at each end. The black sleeve at the rear of the bow is where you can add extra tension beyond what the thumb nut can provide, and it keeps skin oil and sweat off of the hair.
Your Cymbow will arrive with a bit of rosin on it, but you will want to get some rosin of your choice right away to apply as needed. As you bow cymbals, strings or whatever, the rosin will work its way off the hair. Different people prefer different rosins, so there is no perfect rosin for everyone. Many are available. The rosins that are considered very “sticky” can actually grab too much and break the hair when it’s being applied to the bow.
Rosin should be applied with the hair fairly tight.
Cymbow will fit in most stick bags.
Cymbow loves effects ? put your bowed cymbals into reverbs, delays, detune with pitch shifters, whammy it, loop it. Party.
"16C" – 16" long bow and curved
The thin “finger” at the back of the 16C where the hair is tied on has hardened steel rods glued in for additional strength. 16C - in "Natural" finish- SOLD OUT.
The thin “finger” at the back of the 16C where the hair is tied on has hardened steel rods glued in for additional strength. 16C - in "Natural" finish- SOLD OUT.
There are 2 models of the Cymbow, they are available in "Natural" and "Black" finishes.
More questions?
Please take the time to look over the Q & A regarding Cymbows to see if the answer to your question is there.
Please take the time to look over the Q & A regarding Cymbows to see if the answer to your question is there.
Merlin Ettore - Yamaha Drum artist. This video opens with lots of Cymbow on cymbals action.
Logo created by
Pat Mastelotto
Kevin Andrews & Pat Mastelotto
"16C" – 16" long bow and curved
The thin “finger” at the back of the 16C where the hair is tied on has hardened steel rods glued in for additional strength. 16C - in "Black" finish- SOLD OUT
The thin “finger” at the back of the 16C where the hair is tied on has hardened steel rods glued in for additional strength. 16C - in "Black" finish- SOLD OUT
Black Cymbows cost a little more as there are more materials and labor involved in making them.
Trey Gunn
Videos
David Kollar
Francesco Zago
Photo:
Avraham Bank
Avraham Bank
David Kollar studio improvisation
Hand-Crafted Tools To Stretch Your Sound
Conceived & designed by Pat Mastelotto-Drums (King Crimson, Stick Men, The Crimson ProjeKCt ,Mr. Mister, KTU, TU, Tuner, XTC, and many More) and Kevin Andrews at Expanding Hands Music.
Tim Motzer
Photo: Avraham Bank
Black Finish 16C & 18S
Cymbows are sold out and no longer available.
Cymbows are sold out and no longer available.
SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT
Natural Finish 16C & 18S
Cymbows are sold out and no longer available
Cymbows are sold out and no longer available
SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT
All Cymbow models are now sold out.
Expanding Hands Music LLC has Ended Business Operations
NO LONGER AVAILABLE.