Does anyone have any experience in the quality of the low end bows of Lemur versus Gollihur?
Bob Gollihur has two that I'm considering: a brazilwood for $148, and a pernambuco for $246. and Lemur has a brazilwood for $236

I could go up in price a bit if there is something else out there that is recommended.

Many thanks,
Willa
NYC

You might have better luck just playing several bows first and choosing that way. They are as different as basses. I played over a dozen from about $100 to $300 and ended up choosing an inexpensive one that played and sounded the best of the bunch. My $.02.

You're in NYC dude. Go shopping.

thanks. We tried out about a dozen last year when our price range was higher ($800-1200) but don't have the time right now to shop (junior year in HS means college visits, SAT etc.) We're looking for something dependable and easy. Hopefully we can try out something before we purchase.

Willa

thanks. We tried out about a dozen last year when our price range was higher ($800-1200) but don't have the time right now to shop (junior year in HS means college visits, SAT etc.) We're looking for something dependable and easy. Hopefully we can try out something before we purchase.

Willa

I hear that, that's right where I am right now, just took the ACT, had a youth orchestra audition and two track meets in one weekend.

some of the folks here have these. Maybe see if you can find some reviews.
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/Bows/KSB/KSB_bows.html

Also, the Upton Brazilwood Bows for about $100.

I am not on the payroll. Everything Bob sells is good and fairly priced. You can't go wrong with his inexpensive bows.

I wen't to kolstien and bought a good bow for like 275, you might want to try him.

I had good service from a couple of brazilwood bows from Gollihur. They were different (bows are all different in any price category) but enough the same that one was a good spare for the other. I have a much better bow now that was over $1K, but that's a whole different thing. Of course if you get above $800, you can probably get better consistency and playability. For beginner work or if you only bow occasionally and aren't expecting to do fancy orchestra work the Gollihur bow, or a similarly priced bow should be fine.

Ken Smith has some good lower priced bows as well, so check him out also.

I am not on the payroll. Everything Bob sells is good and fairly priced. You can't go wrong with his inexpensive bows.

well I did - bought not too long ago a german brazilwood bow from him and it's quite terrible -when i got it at beginning it was a real disappointment - very heavy at the tip, unbalanced, with horrible hair on it, even with full rosin on couldn't get anything else than harsh noise from it - I had it fully rehaired by a professional dutch bowmaker (I live in Holland), who put great quality black hair on it - but even after this now the sound you get is very dull and is quite difficult to play with it.

The strange thing is that three or four years ago I also bought from Bob my first bow (french brasilwood) , but this one is a much better bow than the german one I got lately from him; still quite heavy at the tip and slightly unbalanced, but fairly playable and with a nice loud dark sound - good value for the money.

I will get rid as soon as i can of the "bad german" and get a real one - and this time from a good shop where I can try the bow before I buy it!

I believe I've been unlucky. Or maybe just on the wrong side of the ocean :bawl: