S E Bristow Bass Bow - Opinions needed!

[johnfowles]

Hi Everyone.

First off, I just want to say hi. This is my first post on talkbass, but I've been reading the posts for quite a while.

I'm about to invest in a good quality bow. I only really have 2 considerations. I have £2000 ($3963) to spend and it must be french.

I quite like the idea of buying locally produced material so I started my search in the UK. The one that has caught my eye the most is a bow by SE Bristow (Link). He describes it as:

The handmade bass bow is silver and ebony mounted with parisian eyes to frog, pernambuco round stick, with solid silver adjuster, French style, E Sartory model. Handmade by myself in May 2008.

He is asking £1850 for the bow. I just wondered if anyone has seen this guys work, or can advise me. I plan to get this bow on approval if anyone can convince me!

Anyway, thanks again.
John

[johnfowles]

Just thought I'd upload some pictures if anyone can give comment to the manufacture.

Again, many thanks for any help.
John

[Felessan]

Any bow can look nice... not many play so nice.

Play the bow. Get someone who is VASTLY more experienced--and critical--than yourself (there's always someone) to help keep your perceptions valid. Have them listen to the bow, and play the bow themselves so you can listen to it. Perform side-by-side comparisons, and switch bows often--this will help weed out the differences between bows more quickly. Once you have something you like, spend some time to really get to know it before you drop down that kind of money. Again, don't let your "enthusiasm" goad you into buying something that you will just replace in a year.

All that said, do whatever you want! Good luck!

-Trevor

[LouisF]

Excellent advice, IMO

Louis

[johnfowles]

Originally Posted by LouisF

Excellent advice, IMO

Louis

I agree! Thanks for the level head Felessan! I'm getting 4 different bows around a similar price on approval. I'm taking them to my luthier and my teacher. Letting them play them and getting their opinion.

Many thanks again for the good, solid advice!

Cheers,
John