Any input on this bow, thinking it would be a nice upgrade from my inexpensive fiberglass bow.
The frog on my present bow seems like it is about to fall off.
On Ebay:
European bass bow made by the Alfred Knoll company. It is Brazilwood, has a nice hank of black hair, 1/2 lined abalone or mother of pearl ebony frog.
Either
you set up an agrement with the seller that you get a refund if you don't like that bow,
or
the stuff is so cheap that you've got nothing to loose.
As a rule, don't spend on a bow before a reasonable trial period (1 week).
I like to have either a fellow bassist or an instructor play two, maybe three bows including the one that I am considering. Play the same piece with each bow, while the potential buyer stands with his back to the bass. You want the instructor to play the same bass that you will be using. This will help you evaluate the way the bow sounds on your bass.
Obviously, the next step for the buyer is feel. Once again if you can now play the bass with the different bows, preferably with your eyes closed. Try to eliminate as much bias as possible.
If it doesn't sound well or feel well, it ain't gonna do you any good to own it.
Well, I got my new bow in the mail today, I think I am going to keep it because it is pretty. I am thinking of naming it Marcia.
I will be bringing it to my lesson tomorrow and have my teacher inspect it. Things I have noticed already; The hair is dark brown not like the black hair I have seen. It sounds a lot fuller than my fiberglass bow. Not as much squeaking either. I haven't even put any rosin on it and it pulls better than my fiberglass bow. Looks like Oliver was right, I am going to be playing a lot more this week.
Gruff, is your fiberglass bow haired with white hair? I've found that the darker hair is courser, and pulls (and stops - an important point for a neophyte like me) easier.
__________________ Groove is Everything
Jon Packard
Yea the fiberglass is a Glasser with the white hair.
Now that I look at my new one the hair is kind of like the salt and pepper hair I have seen, more pepper than salt.
It does have much better grab than the fiberglass bow. The stings move nice.
Little update, I just got back form my lesson.
My teacher likes the hair much better than on the fiberglass. He said it was a little light in weight for his taste but seeing that it cost $20 more than the fiberglass bow he suggested I keep it.
After he played his bass with it he liked it a lot more.
Good Deal.
I think its a keeper.
Any Views on this Bow? 
