Bow Cases: Required?
 

Hi all. I'm just curious about something.

Hardshell cases (or soft?) for bows. Is this a necessary thing for each bow you transport or is the bow pouch on your Gig Bag enough to keep it safe?

Are the cases essential or just one of them accessory things we don't really need?

Jason

It depends on the value and robustness of your bow, I would say.

A rather cheap brazilwood, fiberglass or carbon fiber bow can go in the bow pouch.
But always remember, that it may break unless something hard below the whole length of the bow (like the fingerboard) prevents that. Better have a second bow at home if you take the risk.

I use my bow case a couple times a year. Last time was when I went to play someone else's bass but wanted to use my bow. They're nice to have when the need arises.

The bow is relatively safe in the bow sleeve while it's on the bass. But once the bass is out of the cover, the bow is vulnerable whether it's in or out of the cover. I've heard several horror stories about nice bows that were left in the bass cover and got broken when someone moved the cover. A bow in a sleeve laying around is also a recipe for disaster. If your bow is any good at all, get a case.

I hardly use my bow case.
Just gotta remember to take it out of the gig bag before you take the bass out. And put it back in after the bass is already inside.

I would say it's good to have, especially if the sleeve on your bag isn't that well padded. Not necessarily needed, but its a (depending on how nice of a case you get) $30-40 investment that helps protect your bow, so if you can, why not? It's much better than leaving it out in the open and risking it.

I use a cheap pool queue case as bow case. Worth the price, just in case...

Bow comes out first and in last. Works every time.

Til you forget. I've heard of people breaking their bows because they folded their bags with the bows still in them sans case.

Bow Case!
 

As said, unless you have a CF or fiberglass bow, a case is a really, really good idea.

I even case my bow during short orchestra breaks- it's too easy for it to get knocked off the music stand- and leaving it in the quiver while the bass is on the floor is a definite no-no! That puts it right at foot level to be kicked!!! :eek:

"Sorry about your bow" just doesn't cut it!

Get a case, use it!!! MHO...

Joe

Not to mention the possibility of the hair getting caught in the bow pouch zipper...not that I know from experience or anything...

Funny, that's what people think my bow case is when I'm headed to my teacher's place.

I think my bow case was wayyy overpriced (Gage), but I guess it'll last forever.

If you need to actually use your bow on a gig or a rehearsal, you wouldn't think twice about not having it in a case.

I still have the same French bow that I bought in the early 60s. For most of that time, I simply used the bow pouch with its button flap on my canvas bass bag. I also used to simply stick the bow in between the legs of my bridge when I didn't need it. Then I started reading about bows on TB:hmm:
I now have a bow quiver, and hard case that I bought from Lemur Music. I don't ever leave my house without them.
What's that they say about old dogs and tricks:D