In 2024, carbon fiber will be a major focus of violin bow production. With great balance and control, bows made from this material have been seen as the new standard in the industry.
With a price tag that’s still not exactly small but certainly less than a traditional wood bow, there are plenty of options for you to choose from when purchasing a new violin bow.
If you’re in the market for a new violin bow, we’ve put together a list. We hope you find our in-depth review and comparison helpful when deciding which bows to buy!
Learning is something that happens over time and experience. You might think that with all you’ve learned or achieved in your life, there’s nothing left to learn.
Violins are not exactly known for being expendable. Without a bow, the violin is barely functional, but with one it can transcend your expectations.
That’s why when you’re in the market for a bow, there are many considerations that need to be made before you can make up your mind on which one to buy.
Table of Contents
Buying Guide
Every violinist knows that a well-made bow makes a huge difference in their sound. When it comes to choosing the best violin bows on the market for 2024, musicians want to make sure they’re making a wise investment.
1. Bow Design
The bow design is a big consideration because it can make a big difference in the sound quality of a violin. The majority of bows today are made from either wool or synthetic materials. While wood bows provide higher-end performance and tone, synthetic bows offer better feedback and playability along with lower price tags. If you don’t do much gigging, you may not need to pay for premium, hand-selected bows.
2. Price of Violin Bows
Virtually all bows are priced on the high end. If you’re not willing to pay more for a bow, then you may want to consider buying used bows on the secondary market. New bows average somewhere between $800 and $1,200. A new, quality bow will allow you to get the most out of your instrument without hurting your budget too much.
3. Carbon Fiber Bow Components
The Hair Bow, or spine, is the key to getting the best tone from your bow. It’s made from horsehair which is chosen for its resistance to humidity. If you can get your hands on a bow that has hand-selected horsehair, all the better!
5 Best Violin Bows
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. D Z Strad Violin Bow – J.B. Vuillaume A Paris – Pernambuco Copy
- The D Z Strad Vuillaume violin bow is an elegant reproduction of the bows created in Vuillaume's celebrated workshop.
- Made of high grade, dense Pernambuco, the stick is fit with a lizard skin grip over silver lapping.
- The round-edged frog is made of premium Ebony and is fully silver lined.
- Featuring a mother-of-pearl dot inlay, the frog is mounted in traditional Vuillaume style in a recessed track.
- The resulting work is a bow that Vuillaume would have been proud to affix his name to, and is stamped "J.B. Vuillaume A Paris".
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The D Z Strad Violin Bow – J.B. Vuillaume A Paris – Pernambuco Copy is a heavy and strong bow with a good balance and weight distribution, with perfect flexibility and tone color, for professional violinists to use in their performance. It is most suitable for the majority of violinists who need to perform on stage.
Pros :
- Has a strong tone
- A good feel in the fingers
- Beautiful in appearance
Cons :
- The bow did not produce an even tone.
- The bow did not have the right “trill” to the note.
- The bow lacked a certain power in its sound.
2. D Z Strad Pernambuco Violin Bow Model 501 with Abalone Frog Full Size 4/4 (4/4 – Size)
- Pernambuco, fully silver-lined, octagonal stick with polished abalone frog
- Equipped with genuine white, unbleached, Mongolian Grade AAA Horse Hair
- Properly balanced for even response and projection
- Each bow is inspected in our own workshop in the United States
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In the violin, the bow is a challenging accessory to buy for many reasons. Firstly, not everyone can afford one. Secondly, not everyone knows what to look for in a violin bow. Lastly, just because you purchase one does not mean it will be perfect for you.
Pros :
- A weighted, round stick with a natural feel
- Well balanced head makes it more resistant to wear
- Includes 5 pernambuco wood bows, 4 nickel alloy bow tips, 1 frog care cloth
- Suitable for students of all levels
Cons :
- Not as durable as carbon fiber or fiberglass bows
- Some purchasers have said that the head loosens over time.
3. D Z Strad Violin Bow – Tourte Copy – Master Antique Pernambuco Bow
- Equipped with genuine white, unbleached, Mongolian Grade AAAA Horse Hair
- Perfectly balanced for a quick response and superior resiliency; Perfect weight at about 61 grams/2.2 oz.
- Traditional Frog made from Polished Premium Ebony
- Genuine Pernambuco wood, nicely crafted and finished.
- Crafted with great playability within a medium to strong range of stiffness
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A bow is one of the important tools for musicians who play string instruments such as violin, viola, cello, and bass. The player uses a bow that usually consists of a stick or “baton” with a ribbon or horsehair at the end to produce sound from the instrument being played.
Pros :
- A high quality bow with bow hair all the way to the stick
- Fantastic for violin, viola or cello
- Includes a great leather case
Cons :
- The bow features a forged steel frog to create a strong and durable frog connection.
- It has a quick adjusting screw that allows for easy fitting without having to move the strings.
4. VINGOBOW Wood and Carbon Fiber Hybrid Violin Bow 4/4 Size
- HYBRID CARBON FIBER - Surprise! Stick of the Vingobow master carbon violin bow is strong carbon fiber core with wood skin. It looks just like a wooden...
- ELEGANT DESIGN - In the fiddle bow, you can find black ebony frog with natural wood grain, decorated with classical parisian eyes and fully mounted by...
- MASTER LEVEL - The hybrid carbon arch is made by our master bow-maker. Using premium natural horsehair with great contractility, it's easier to be...
- PERFECT BALANCE POINT - As you know, balance point is very important for a fiddle arch. Our maker always adjusts bow balance point for several times...
- CAREFULLY HANDMADE - The Master Level Hybrid Carbon Fiber Violin Bow is totally made through traditional handcraft work. Straight stick, clean work,...
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The VINGOBOW Wood and Carbon Fiber Hybrid Violin Bow 4/4 Size is a handmade, carbon fiber bow with an attractive design. It features a maple wood core, ebony accents, and is made to give you the best of both worlds.
Pros :
- This bow is made with the high quality materials and craftsmanship we’ve come to expect from VINGOBOW.
- The black and white stripped outfit is classy and this hybrid makes a very beautiful statement when it’s on stage.
Cons :
- The high price of the product
- It is made from a single piece of carbon fiber, as opposed to two pieces glued together. This can affect strength and durability.
5. CodaBow Diamond GX Carbon Fiber 4/4 Violin Bow
- 4/4 violin bow
- Kevlar acoustic core
- Traditional Frog made from Polished Premium Ebony by Walter Paulus
- Handcrafted in the USA. Individually numbered.
- Limited LIFETIME warranty to the original player when purchased from an authorized CodaBow dealer. Warranty not available on used bow.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The CodaBow Diamond GX Carbon Fiber 4/4 Violin Bow is designed to wow your audience with its exceptional beauty and performance. This bow has been designed to meet the demands of serious, professional players at an affordable price. It is made out of carbon fiber, which means it is lightweight and durable, while still providing a resilient quality that allows for more accurate playing.
Pros :
- Carbon fiber material makes this an extremely lightweight bow which is excellent for children and those with arthritis
- The CodaBow Diamond GX Carbon Fiber 4/4 Violin Bow features a solid copper wire which offers a richer, more resonant sound
- Weight of the bow is distributed evenly so it won’t fatigue your arm as quickly, securing your stamina to last through hours of playing
Cons :
- The Space Between the Two Pieces of Wood – Space between the frog and the thumbpiece is sometimes uncomfortable when you play on a violin with a large “F” soundpost.
- Cheaper, Fiberglass Replacement Parts – The tips on the bow are made from old fiberglass, which does not hold its shape very well.
Conclusion
Whew, friends, that’s it! We hope you’ve found this article informative and were able to make some informed decisions on which violin bows are best for you. As always, feel free to get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter if you have any questions at all. Keep an eye out for future articles about violin bows coming soon!
FAQ:
Q: What makes a good violin bow?
A: – Great control for any player. – Silicone violin mute included. – Beautifully crafted from durable Brazilwood.
Q: What are the best bows for a violin?
A: The Babolat V.1 is a high-quality model that delivers exceptional projection and forgiveness of off-center notes. If you want the highest-performing violin,the Brandeis Aimee Bow is the way to go. … For a beginner,there’s no better bow than the Jackson Signature Bass Flat Black Vibrato. …
Q: What should I look for in a violin bow?
A: Materials. The three basic materials used in bow sticks are brazilwood,pernambuco,and carbon fiber. … Balance. How the bow feels when you try it out in the shop has much to do with its balance point. … Stiffness. … Price. … X factors. … In the Shop. …
Q: What can you use for a violin bow?
A: – Is Two too early? I dont think so! – Anyone know how much this strad is worth? (And yes I know what you’re thinking, I should loosen my bow) – Some Prokofiev on a 4D printed violin! Part 4 of learning the Sibelius VC. … – One month of learning to play today! I’m a 51 year old woman. … – Violin Jam #5 – Grapelli Minor Swing – When things are getting real, lol