Gharing Bows

[acolobowhunter]

I found a Gharing bow - 54 lbs at 28" and considering purchasing it.  It shot very well and is in excellent condition, however it is a bit noisy.  It currently has a fast flight string and beaver ball puffs on the string.  It also has some small rubber dampers stuck to the bow limbs, I assume these were to try and quiet the bow.
Before purchasing this bow, I am considering installing a B50 string and some better yarn puffs to quiet the bow. 
Does anyone have any experience with these bows and do you think changing the string and installing yarn puffs will help with the noise problems.  The bow is priced right, but I would like more information about it. 
If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.

[acolobowhunter]

I might add - the bow is 60" and I was shooting my 650 grain arrows and there was still some noise and vibration in the riser during the shot.  I would have thought my heavy arrows would have quieted the bow more as they do on my 70 lb. recurve.  The bow also has static type limbs which is more radical than my other bow, maybe this adds to the noise and vibrations??

[lefty4]

I can't promise a different string material would quiet the bow. Years ago, I looked long and hard for a lefty and never found one. I did find a RH bow and bought it. Well made bow for sure, but it did me no good so I sold it. The new owner was tickled pink with the bow (he had at least one other Gharing and knew what he was getting).

All I can say is that if the price is right, don't let that one get away. You can figure out how to get it quiet. They are good bows.

FWIW, I have a bow that shot terribly with a FF (high performance) string. It was loud and just didn't feel right. Out of frustration, I made a B-50 string and it turned into a much, much nicer shooter. Normally, I prefer the high performance strings.

[Fisher Cat]

I bought the bow from Lefty 4 (Thanks again!).  As stated, I have two Gharings.  One is a longbow, one is a static recurve and both are one piece bows.  They are really fantastic bows.  They shoot great and the craftsmanship & attention to detail that went into building them is evident. 

Neither of my bows are loud.  In fact, static recurves generally have a reputation for being quieter than standard recurves.  My understanding is Gharings were intended/built to use B-50 or B-55 strings.  I believe (but can't guarantee) the bow you are looking at should be quieter with B-55 and yarn.

You might also have a brace height issue.  About two years ago, I ran across Jon Gharing's son-in-law online.  He indicated a brace height much lower than the one I was using.  Regardless, mine was shooting very quietly and accurately.  About that time, a couple of newly made Gharings became available online.  I am not completely sure if these were made by Jon Gharing or the son-in-law, but this second resurgence never took off. 

My recommendation is to look the bow over carefully,  if you see no flaws and are impressed with the attention to detail, it's probably worth buying.  Remove the rubber limb silencers, try a B-55 string and adjust the brace height.  Don't pay too much for the bow either.  Although they are really nice, most people have never heard of them, so the market for them is kind of variable.  Good luck. - John

[acolobowhunter]

Thank you gentlemen for the reply.
I purchased a B50 string today but have not installed it yet.  Will get in operation tomorrow.  If I purchase it (asking $400.), I will remove the rubber dampers and also install some yarn silencers on the string.  I did notice the brace height was only 7".  I thought that might be to narrow, but the paperwork from the owner said 7 1/4".  The bow shoots good and is in good shape.  Now will see if I can quiet it down and reduce the vibration in the riser.   With my heavy arrows it was still shooting 174 ft/sec.
There is also a Plamer takedown recurve for sale - 58# / 30" and I plan on shooting it as well.  I might mention the Gharing bow is also a takedown.
After so many years shooting a 70 lb bow, my shoulders are ready to step down in weight, so just trying some lighter weight bows.

[acolobowhunter]

For anyone interested - I purchased the Gharing bow and replaced the fast flight string with a B50 string - boy what a difference.  The bow is now whisper quiet.

[Fisher Cat]

Awesome!  Sounds like you got a great bow at a good price.  I think you will find (comparatively speaking) it shoots heavier arrows with less sacrifice in speed than most other bows with similar specs would. 

FWIW,  My theory about bow strings and vibration is that when a bow's string vibrates after the shot, it will probably be improved by switching to a low- stretch string.  This is most often the case.  When a bow's limbs vibrate after the shot, it will probably be improved by switching to a high-stretch string.  Seems to hold true so far, but I tend to over-simplify. 

Congratulations!  I think you made a great choice. - John