| For short money, the Finale carbon fiber bow seems a good option. Do a search and check out Jason Heath's demo.
In my limited experience, I have found that bows are subtle. I recently saw/played one that somebody got on ebay for about $300 that was just killing. Octagonal stick, beautifully wrought, minor damage/wear, no markings; it came from an estate sale, with no pedigree or label, but I liked it as much or more than my Morizot. In other words, paying more money doesn't necessarily mean that you will buy a stick that will be more suitable for you. It is all about feel and fit.
OTOH, one can pay (I have done so) many dollars for a bow that is somewhat disappointing after one gets to know it better. Then again, when one plays a truly great bow, the experience is pretty liberating and exciting.
If I were buying a bow, I would ask my teacher for their opinion. Perhaps a little networking can connect you with someone who has an extra bow they would like to sell, or perhaps your teacher can direct you to a good shop close to you. Or, if you are between teachers, one could go bow-shopping with a friend/mentor who plays well (maybe professionally, with a bow) and ask them for advice/second opinions as you visit various shops.
As you haven't fiilled out your profile, I have no idea what shops may be close to you. I wonder other things, such as, what is your budget for a new bow? Do you want to play orchestrally? How long can you take to make your decision? Are you playing French or German?
I am no expert on anything, but apparently, the better bows are traditionally made from Pernambuco. OTOH, many wonderful bows are made from other species, and many Pernambuco bows are less than great. I remember talking with a bowmaker who told me that it took something like 20 Pernambuco blanks to find one really good bow; but the other 19 sticks get carved, finished, and sold, too. (Or maybe it was 1 out of 50; I really can't remember :-) )
If it were me, I would try a bunch of sticks and resist the tempation to have the whole process "over with." Have you searched this forum for discussions about buying a bow?
Finally, I have heard that some bow vendors and/or makers offer trial periods if one is buying a bow sight unseen.
Last edited by Eric Swanson : 11-07-2009 at 02:08 PM.
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