I'm a German player. Bow style I mean. I'm an Oklahoman bassist...anyways. I'm entering college this Summer and am planning on purchasing a Cleveland model New Standard Bass (if someone can explain to me whether the difference between their laminate and hybrid styles would really mean anything in a college symphony, that would be great) and I'd like to get a pretty good bow. Obviously I don't have have the money for the highest quality bow, but I'd still like to have something more respectable than the 10 cent fiberglass thing I'm somehow using right now, or the slightly more expensive but still crappy Arco Noveau thing I use at school.
The Hybrid would be slightly more woody. The Laminated model sounds great as well but I think for Bowing, a Spruce top is sweeter. Arnold has some Bows in you rangs too. Ask him..
If you're in OK, you may want to check out Tom Owen. I believe he's in Colgate. Search Talk Bass for reviews of his bows. When its time to upgrade, I plan on checking out his bows.
I would also recommend the bow I use, A workshop Lothar Seifert. New they are $700, but you can often find them for less. I got mine for $300 on Ebay.
I don't know where you are in Oklahoma, but I have a Tom Owen German that I love. You are more than welcome to check mine out sometime.
Well, I'm in Edmond, so I couldn't be much closer to OKC without being...there. I may take you up on that!