Bows

The importance of a good bow should bever be underestimated. We are pleased to be able to offer a selection of wood bows for new and advancing students, as well as composites from Coda, Eastman, Arcus and Berg to cover the needs of professional cellists as well. Advances in carbon fiber technology have given us a better blend of performance and durability than ever before. Because bows by the same maker can vary in characteristics, it is important that bows be tried and compared. We do send arrays out to be "test driven" after we have the opportunity to discuss your requirements.

Bows are described by the type and quality of wood or material from which the stick is made, and whether the stick is round or octagonal. Windings of nickel-silver are less expensive than pure silver, so the same stick may be outfitted in two different price ranges depending on which is used. Frogs are generally ebony, and may be detailed with "eyes" or left plain. Quality of horsehair is also a variant, but since bows should be rehaired regularly, this is one feature that can be changed. Weights vary considerably on cello bows, and the weight variations can occur anywhere along the stick, at the tip or frog. The balance point can make a bow feel easier to maneuver and suggest, therefore, that the weight is heavier or lighter than it actually is. While people often rely on other people's recommendations when bow hunting, it is important to play multiple bows and draw your own conclusions.

New players who are just getting acquainted with your new cellos have not yet developed a sense of what the bow should feel like in the hand. It will require some instruction and practice before you appreciate the differences in weight and balance. Our main goal is to provide our new cellists with a good starting point, and offer a sensibly priced range of quality bows to play and compare. Pernambuco is generally preferable to brazilwood when selecting a bow. However, it is possible to find bows of lesser quality wood crafted so well that they perform better than a bow poorly made from a higher quality wood. With an incredible number of makers to choose from, we have tried to keep it simple by selecting a handful of reliable models to offer you.