BLACK WIDOW; NOISY,WHY?

threeundr · August 16, 2009, 08:21:00 AM

Well here is my two cents. I had a PSA-X with the same problem and here is what I did. I put felt in the string grooves, a set of limbsaver quads on the belly of the limbs about 8" up from where the limbs meet the riser. But the most important addition and "I am sure many will disagree" I put a B-50 Dacron string on it with a double set of cat whiskers. I was shooting extremely light arrows for 3-D and it was the quietest recurve I have owned to date and much quieter than most of the longbows I have owned to date and that is a long list! I know it is not politically correct to use a Dacron string.Lol!!I did'nt see any significant decrease in speed and using a heavier hunting arrow would have helped more. I also agree with Keuka brace height is very important with a Widow. This is just my personal experience. Hope this helps.

-Leonard-

frassettor · August 16, 2009, 08:52:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by GMMAT:
Raise the BH

You can also use a thin felt (sticky on one side) between the limbs and the riser.

Bow hush.

When placing your string silencers....you wanna take you string length (where it meets the limbs) and 1/4 it. Take your 1/4 measurement....measure up and down from the spot where th string meets the limbs and mark/install.

Heavy arrows help a lot, also.

Limbsavers aren't out of the question.

Ill second the heavy arrows. along with beaverballs, that really quited them down

bigiron · August 16, 2009, 11:52:00 AM

does it have new "O" rings on the locator pins?

James Wrenn · August 16, 2009, 11:59:00 AM

All recurves make more noise than longbows.The string slap on the limbs does that.BWs can be quitened down but take a little more work than many because of the glass in the limb core.Still that is one of the things that make them such a bullet proof hunting bow.jmo

artifaker1 · August 16, 2009, 01:54:00 PM

Heavy arrows (usually 12 GR. per pound or more), just one set of cat whiskers. But the thing that made the most difference on mine was loosing the tip protector, while actually shooting the bow. I keep it in my pocket while shooting and slip it on and off. That really helped and also picked up the speed. I won't shoot mine at any higher of brace height than 8 1/4. It just de-tunes them when you go for lofty brace heights. I would rather use an even heavier arrow and keep the performance. I've had people comment on how quiet they are.

Running Buck · August 16, 2009, 02:55:00 PM

I have owned six different widows and have never had a problem with making them quiet. All my bows are low to mid fiftys. The first thing I do is make a 8 stran string from 8125 and pad the loops with B-50 to a total count of 16.( you will get better performence from your bow with this string alone) Next I put wool puffs at quarter and third points on the string. And last I shoot between 10 and 11 grains per pound. I have never had to raise the brace height past 81/2 inches.

Lone archer · August 16, 2009, 03:08:00 PM

The noise!

I can't take the noise!

Sold mine years ago never could get rid of the noise.

Toxophilite · August 16, 2009, 03:13:00 PM

Sometimes, with 3 pc bows, if you're hearing "limb noise", you can fix it by taking the limbs off, apply a little paste wax on the riser where the limbs sit and on the part of the limbs that touch the riser. Just put the wax on there just enough so you can see it. Don't wipe it off. After a few minutes, re-attach the limbs, string the bow and try it. If it doesn't work, just remove the wax.

SL · August 16, 2009, 03:15:00 PM

I have never had a problem getting the widow just as quiet as any other recurve I have owned. I do about what Running Buck said cept I use 10 strands of TS1 with the b50 pads. Brace is about 8.5".
SL

Richie Nell · August 16, 2009, 03:17:00 PM

Rob...Where you elkin it this year? I booked at the last minute with Mike and Danny. I was going to Montana but had to cancel.

Are you and the Buckster gonna make a trip?

Onehair · August 16, 2009, 04:34:00 PM

The B50 and you don't have to jack up the brace height. For me the lower brace gives me about the same speed as the FF stuff with all the extra silencing methods

cavscout · August 16, 2009, 05:44:00 PM

UPDATE; so i took the brace hieght to about 8 and a half inches, put a yarn serving on the string where it contacts the limbs, the yarn puff balls and rubber silencers are on the string and i even padded the limb pockets where the limbs bolt in. The bow is much quieter now but still much noisier than my long bow. I love the way the bow shoots so i will try it and maybe aim a little low for strig jump,but if it causes me to miss one deer i will be going back to my long bow and will be trading it off for another longbow or selling it.

bentpole · August 16, 2009, 06:05:00 PM

First deer you miss because it ducks the string let me know.

I'll buy it!!

Otto · August 16, 2009, 07:59:00 PM

Put the BH at 9 inches. It will make a big difference. Any loss in performance will be neglibible.

TSP · August 16, 2009, 09:23:00 PM

Lol, I'll bet you've received just about every idea for quieting a bow that there is...with alot of them conflicting. After five Widows (still have two) here's what I've found works well for them. My two are pretty quiet, even compared to my hybrid longbows:

1.) Get a clean release! This is probably the #1 culprit. A 'deep hook' on the string helps alot...avoid plucking the string.
2.) Brace height between 8.5" and 9" depending on string set-up (thickness and silencer type/placement).
3.) Single sets of yarn puffs or full-sized tied-on (not inserted) square-edge rubber catwhiskers (not rounded or vinyl). Test the locations to find your bow's silencer sweet spot since its different for different bows/strings/fistmeles.
4.) Padded FF string; 10 strands of D97 works well for my bows of around 50#+/-. Haven't yet seen any need for felt groove liners or yarn-wrapped string loops with this set-up.
5.) Did I mention get a CLEAN RELEASE?

I've owned many kinds of bows and can say that Widows aren't excessively noisy unless you let them be. They just need a little TLC and tuning care. What bow doesn't?

curlis · August 17, 2009, 12:24:00 AM

Widows have a different pitched sound. Try letting someone else shoot it and just stand back and listen. You may be pleasantly surprised.

It sounds a whole lot different from behind the string than it does away from the bow.

cavscout · August 17, 2009, 09:42:00 AM

WOW, thanks to everyone that has given advice. I have tried all of your ideas and am now pleased with the noise level of the bow.I am using 11-32 cedar arrows at full length and 125gr heads, but may go even a little heavier after hearing all your ideas,I guess string jump wont be a problem since i dont shoot at deer past 20 yards, but i got a laugh out of that one myself.please keep the advice coming on the arrows though cause i am still trying to get the most out of this bow. I AM REALLY STARTING TO LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

coffee · August 17, 2009, 04:07:00 PM

Cavscout I own two widows and would suggest you try harder with all this great advice. I did most of what was mentioned but when I started shooting 700gr carbon arrows the noise problem was history!

foxbo · August 17, 2009, 07:06:00 PM

Also, check to make sure your alignment pins are secured. My SA developed a noise the second year I owned it and the brass pins had become loose. On the advice of Ken Beck, I twisted them out with a pair of pliers while using leather over the pin as not to mar it up. He told me to install them with regular fletch-tite. I did just that and they are still secure and tight. I think the best thing I ever did to quiet my SA was to puchase a Mountain Muffler string. I don't know if they are still available, but they will do the trick. I tried dacron on my SA once and didn't care for the way the bow shot at all.