I'm just started learning arco and I want to buy a bow for myself. I have looked at ebay and there is a tone of bows all at different prices. I think I only want to spend around 150. Any ideas of what kind of bow to get. Thanks for your help!!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Any ideas for my first bass bow?
- Thread starter dragonflywolf10
- Start date
When you get a cheaper bow they always need to rehaired because the hair is usually crap hair.. rehairs cost anywhere where from 65$ and up..
I'd recommend buying from a bass dealer they usually have better hair on them..
Lemur, Gollihur, Upton, Etc.... otherwise your 150$ bow will cost you 215$ after you get rehaired. So save a little more and just get a nicer bow that already comes ready to play..
You'll get a better bow and better hair.. which will save you money anyhow and will hopefully help produce a better sound.. and you won't have to upgrade as quickly..
Best,
I'd recommend buying from a bass dealer they usually have better hair on them..
Lemur, Gollihur, Upton, Etc.... otherwise your 150$ bow will cost you 215$ after you get rehaired. So save a little more and just get a nicer bow that already comes ready to play..
You'll get a better bow and better hair.. which will save you money anyhow and will hopefully help produce a better sound.. and you won't have to upgrade as quickly..
Best,
It sounds like the hair it the most important part of the bow. I have seen a bunch of different bows make out of different kinds of wood and even carbon fiber. Does the material of the bow effect the sound or is it just a matter of quality hair?
Presuming you have something good enough to work properly, the material does affect the sound a little bit, so does the hair... but it's all very subtle, and what really matters most is the quality of construction of the bow. You get what you pay for, but carbon fiber tends to stand out a bit as good value for money (there is no rarity value in the material, so a carbon bow is all making).
Unfortunately, there are bows out there that are not good enough to work properly, strung with hair so awful it won't draw a sound. You don't want that, bowing is hard enough.
Unfortunately, there are bows out there that are not good enough to work properly, strung with hair so awful it won't draw a sound. You don't want that, bowing is hard enough.
One of my students bought a Gollihur Brazilwood bow. Played well above its price point imho, and that was with the hair that came on it. Exceptional value, and Bob and Mark are great to deal with.
Joe
Joe
Before you purchase, you should know if you want a German (under hand hold) or French (over hand hold) style bow. You'll prolly see about a million threads in the "Franco/Prussian" wars which will most likely only serve to confuse the issue.
At the end of the day (
putting on FLAME resistant gear...
), it really doesn't matter. 
The quality of the bow itself is of more importance than the style.
My advise would be to secure a teacher and use what they use. Even if you only take a few lessons your teacher will be able to show you how to properly hold and use the bow. PLEASE believe me! Learn the "right way" from the git go and you will not only learn FASTER, but you wont have to "unlearn" any bad habits!
Good Luck!
Joe
At the end of the day (
putting on FLAME resistant gear...), it really doesn't matter. The quality of the bow itself is of more importance than the style.
My advise would be to secure a teacher and use what they use. Even if you only take a few lessons your teacher will be able to show you how to properly hold and use the bow. PLEASE believe me! Learn the "right way" from the git go and you will not only learn FASTER, but you wont have to "unlearn" any bad habits!
Good Luck!
Joe
I have had a chance to try both styles of bows. I like the German style because it feels like I have more power and grab on the string. However I am going to go with the French style because I feel like I have more control and can help the bow from bouncing off the strings.
If you're in the states, ask Bob. He has a lot of good advice.
I bought a french carbon fiber bow from Yita & it's great. Hair is only so/so, so I haven't changed it out yet. For the price, it's a decent buy.
However, if possible, it's always better to test the bow before buying it as not everyone has the same taste. Bring your own rosin & bass if possible.
I bought a french carbon fiber bow from Yita & it's great. Hair is only so/so, so I haven't changed it out yet. For the price, it's a decent buy.
However, if possible, it's always better to test the bow before buying it as not everyone has the same taste. Bring your own rosin & bass if possible.
I think I am going to go with Gollihur music. Mark was supper helpful and for $175.50 I'll get a brazilin French style 3/4 bow with rosin.
Question, dose black hair grab the strings just as well as white hair? Is the difference just a matter of looks?
Question, dose black hair grab the strings just as well as white hair? Is the difference just a matter of looks?
Black hair has more grab and makes more hair noise, it's slightly harder to play subtly. White is smoother, but also somewhat more difficult to get a clean start to the note.
But really... not a large difference. I normally use black, but I'm playing on a new bow that is presently strung with nice quality white and I see no reason to change.
But really... not a large difference. I normally use black, but I'm playing on a new bow that is presently strung with nice quality white and I see no reason to change.
Mine's a David Gage Metropolitan, which I gather is about US $700 (what I actually paid... complicated, I bought it kind of on a whim, while I was on a trip in Canada, and I don't remember what it cost).
