How much is this bow worth?

Fletcher Lanning · #1 12-14-2009, 11:47 PM

So the bow that I've been using is a loaner from another local player\educator. He told me that, if I wanted to buy the bow form him, it would be $125 USD. It looks like brazilwood but I have no idea. It's pretty heavy in my hand (sorry no scale to check). From the end of the tip to the back of the frog it is 26 3/4in (67 1/2 cm). The hair seems alright but, if I buy it, I'll probably get a re-hair as there are a couple spots that are discolored and looks dry (and I played a bow with black hair and like the extra grip); still not sure because I have very little experience in this area.

I looked everywhere on the stick and the frog and there is not a maker name or symbol anywhere.

Here are a few pictures, I'm just wondering if you see anything that makes you think this price is unreasonable, or if you think I should get something else.

Phil Rowan · #2 12-15-2009, 05:43 AM

Is it tip-heavy? Would be good if you had a few other bows (or even just one) to compare it to. I think too much bow weight can kind of get in the way of really enjoying the bow (and maybe even getting better at using it). I have a pretty tip-heavy bow that I used for a while, and a year or two back I sprung for a C. Marchand bow.. I know that bow upgrade helped my arco technique tons (still have some work to do, for sure). I'm not saying go spend a lot of bread, but it would be great if you could try out a different bow (or two) in that same price range (the Upton and Gollihur bows come to mind, not sure what their policy is w/ trying them out though). Lemur has bows in that general range too.

CT DB · #3 12-15-2009, 08:22 AM

You can get a bow for that price from Upton bass with new hair already on it, why don;t you try out one of those as a comparison. If it has no name or markings, i would suspect it was a chinese brazilwood. Not unusable by any means but you might be happier if you comparison shop a bit.

Square Bear · #4 12-15-2009, 09:44 AM

definitely look around a bit. you may find comparable bows for the same price but you are not likely to find a significantly better one unless you get lucky or are willing to spend a little bit more. if you are seriously interested in developing your arco technique, you may want to save up for a good carbon fiber bow (finale bow comes to mind, i know there are others). they tend to be well balanced and responsive bows for the price (often much cheaper than pernambuco). if you're looking for something to just to goof around with then something like the bow you are describing would be fine. my advice - don't rush into anything. take your time and play on as many bows as you can. you will probably figure out some of what you're looking for in the process.

PRUNEFACE · #5 12-15-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT DB

You can get a bow for that price from Upton bass with new hair already on it, why don;t you try out one of those as a comparison. If it has no name or markings, i would suspect it was a chinese brazilwood. Not unusable by any means but you might be happier if you comparison shop a bit.

Well it's important to remember the Upton workshop bows are also Chinese brazilwood.

mjt0229 · #6 12-15-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

Well it's important to remember the Upton workshop bows are also Chinese brazilwood.

True, but the point is more that this bow isn't necessarily a steal and that the OP should look around rather than just buying the first bow that he comes across. I bought a Prochownik after having been sent a tube containing 5 of them (along with 2 Grunberger Carbows and 3 or 4 Duhauts).

Each of the bows was different from the others, even compared to the other ones made in the same shop. Moreover, even the two Carbows were different!

Phil Rowan · #7 12-15-2009, 12:14 PM

+1. I think I tried out about 10 before I chose the Marchand.

mjt0229 · #8 12-15-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

+1. I think I tried out about 10 before I chose the Marchand.

Is that Marchand a French or German? A bunch of Barry Lieberman's students in Seattle have Marchand bows, but they're all German players. I liked the one that I handled, but it's been ages since I've played a German bow, so it's hard to compare it to my own French bow.

Phil Rowan · #9 12-15-2009, 03:09 PM

Mine's a French bow. Kurt Muroki recommended it to me.. I played some nice bows down at Gage's but in the end the Marchand took the cake.

mje · #10 12-17-2009, 01:07 PM

It does look like an inexpensive Chinese bow I have. I'd second the BobG bow recommendation. For the cost of that bow + a rehair you'd have a new bow.

LouisF · #11 12-17-2009, 04:43 PM

Couldn't find any US information, but...

http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/bows_sale.asp

(re Claude Marchand)

Louis

Dave Muscato · #12 12-17-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Price check/"How much is this bass worth"-type threads are limited to supporting members only. Post them in the appropriate forums for the item in question (A question related to the value of a bass guitar should be posted in the Basses[BG] forum, an amplifier in the Amps[BG] forum, etc.)

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/faq.ph...aq_megathreads

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/payments.php

Thanks!

Fletcher Lanning · #13 12-17-2009, 07:07 PM

Sorry if I broke a posting rule. I posted because I thought the rules didn't apply in this situation because I wasn't asking about the monetary value specifically. I see a lot of threads saying "Should I buy bow (A) from vendor (B) at price (C)". As I am just asking for a thumbs up\thumbs down on a specific bow buy, and not a valuation of the item itself (which I do not own) I figured it fell under that umbrella.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #14 12-17-2009, 08:40 PM

You didn't break any posting rules because the rules are different in the DB forums. Since you don't have to be a supporting member to use the classifieds down here, there is no restriction on threads such as this. Carry on.

Fletcher Lanning · #15 12-17-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjt0229

True, but the point is more that this bow isn't necessarily a steal and that the OP should look around rather than just buying the first bow that he comes across. I bought a Prochownik after having been sent a tube containing 5 of them (along with 2 Grunberger Carbows and 3 or 4 Duhauts).

Each of the bows was different from the others, even compared to the other ones made in the same shop. Moreover, even the two Carbows were different!

Is it common for a seller to do this? I'm trying to shop for bows but it is difficult to know what I'm getting if I order it over the phone or online. My current bow is the only one I've spent any significant time with so I don't have a big frame of reference.

mjt0229 · #16 12-18-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flanning

Is it common for a seller to do this? I'm trying to shop for bows but it is difficult to know what I'm getting if I order it over the phone or online. My current bow is the only one I've spent any significant time with so I don't have a big frame of reference.

I think many reputable sellers will do this. I got mine through George Vance's Slava Publishing. I had to put down a deposit, of course, and I paid for the shipping.

I've also done this with local sellers in Seattle. I had multiple bows on trial with both Hammond-Ashley and the Bass Church, although I didn't buy any of them!

I'm not sure if it's common elsewhere, but it's worth asking.

Dave Muscato · #17 12-21-2009, 10:15 PM

Thanks for the clarification, Chris; I'll keep that in mind