Advice on bow shopping

oliebrice · #1 12-08-2005, 03:49 AM

Sorry if theres lots on this topic already, but I couldn't find it.
I want to get a better bow than the cheap one that came with my bass, but I'm struggling to pay the rent with gigging, and mainly play jazz piz, so can't really spend much money.
so, therefore, I'm going to be spending some time looking in junk shops, auctions etc, including a musical instrument auction I'm going to tommorow.
Can anyone give me some advice on getting some idea whether a bow is any good when you haven't got a bass to hand? things to lokk for?
I know that ideally you would try it out on your bass, but I'm talking about lucky cheap finds, not real bow shopping!

dbgal · #2 12-08-2005, 09:49 AM

I'm certainly not the most experienced shopper out there, but if I was looking at flea market type- stuff, first I'd check for any cracks or obvious repairs. If any, don't buy it. Next, there should be an obvious concave bend to the stick. Keep in mind that a re-hair will cost you around $50. You might take a look at (All-hail) Bob Gollihur's bows- I have one of his brazilwood bows & it's a really good bow for the price. I haven't heard anything about his 'glass bows, but he doesn't stock any junk. His website is http://www.gollihur.com/kkbass/bows.html

Good luck

hdiddy · #3 12-08-2005, 10:16 AM

I was gonna say the same about Bob's bows. My teacher was really happy with it. I manage to find a used one that I liked more (w/ black hair) for a great price here on TBDB and gave him my old white haired one. He's was pretty happy about it. And this guy done the conservatory thing and studied under Homer Mensch too.

Great bow for the price. Buy without fear.

oliebrice · #4 12-13-2005, 04:28 AM

Those photos on Bob's site look exactly the same as my original bow that I'm looking to replace. Do you know if they are the same bows stentor sell anyone?

Bruce Lindfield · #5 12-13-2005, 04:42 AM

I think you should have added "...in the UK" to your title!!

hdiddy · #6 12-13-2005, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliebrice

Those photos on Bob's site look exactly the same as my original bow that I'm looking to replace. Do you know if they are the same bows stentor sell anyone?

I dunno about the stentor thing, but those pics on Bob's site out still out of date. The new ones use a different and better wrap. From what I've been told, these bows are made in china.

Sorry I didn't notice that you were in the UK Olie. From my inexperienced POV, I don't think there's really any way to tell if a bow's any good unless you can put it to use. I guess it's kinda similar ot bass shopping. Everything visibly should be straight and proper - no bends or twists. No hardware falling off, no cracks. If it was broken then the repair should be good? Other than that, I don't think there's anything else that can really help but to play it. I mean, seems that most bow sellers acknoledge that you have to "borrow" the bow to take home and try. Either that or they have a decent return policy.

Bob doesn't have a return policy really on his stuff, but you could ask I guess. I doubt if you'd return it anyway.

Mudfuzz · #7 12-13-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliebrice

Those photos on Bob's site look exactly the same as my original bow that I'm looking to replace. Do you know if they are the same bows stentor sell anyone?

The picture on Bob's site is a old one, Here is a picture of mine, I got it in July.