Double Bass cheap ebay bows

[tony moore]

i've been playing a gollihur brazilwood bow for a few years and am considering another bow. it serves me well for what i do, church and americana gigs, but sees a fair amount of abuse.

i notice alot of cheap bows on ebay, both wood and fiberglass:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=bass+bow+french&_sacat=0

many of the listings look identical. has anyone tried these cheap bows?

thanks.

 

[jaff]

I have one - a 'level 3' pernambuco - according to the very honest Chinese seller. I paid about $180 and it was a good bow for several years. (I've only been playing about 8 years.) What I'm getting from my teachers and others is that we go through life buying bows...in my case as I learn a little more about the right hand, intonation and time. I bought a 700.00 Chinese pernambuco and it really felt good...after 7 months I realized the frog was too small for me. Right now I'm using a $350.00 Finale - which has a bigger frog, but doesn't have the same great feel that Chinese one has. On and on...I think. One of my teachers has a $6k.German bow with an ivory frog and it feels really solid on the strings throughout the length. There's always something 'better' out there.. I still have my $79.00 Golihur fiberglass bow as a backup.. FWIW, all of my teachers encouraged me to get a better bow before buying a better bass. I'm beginning to understand why - even though I got a nice carved bass.

 

[ole Jason]

The Yita bows aren't bad. I have a snakewood and an ironwood bow. Neither is perfect but they both draw a nice sound and play well. Just pay attention to the weight and length.

 

[Andy Mopley]

to that, what is the difference in the length of the bow, and why is there a difference in the first place, oJ?

 

[nicechuck]

I have 3, one German, 2 French, they work and all have a bit different feel, balance and weight. The problem is you can't see how they feel before you buy, but sometimes, that's about the only realistic option