Double Bass Golden Strad Bow

[JockStrat]

I have come across a Golden Strad bow in my attic. Does anyone know anything about these?
Many thanks
JockStrat

 

[Ben Mitchell]

First, did you try googling?

Second, I have no idea about it, but that is like the most bad*** sounding bow brand ever.

 

[Bowmaker]

I have come across a Golden Strad bow in my attic. Does anyone know anything about these?
Many thanks
JockStrat

Golden Strad bows were made in the UK from the late 1960's to the 1980's for all orchestral string instruments and in all sizes. They have round fiberglass sticks of a basic yellow colour with painted darker patches, and shiny black nylon nuts (frogs) with an hexagonal tip (adjuster); originally they always had white hair, sometimes using the 'Synhair' synthetic fibre developed by DuPont (in my opinion, the only synthetic 'hair' that worked). They were intended to be rehaired by the user or their teacher as they had a relatively simple plugging system that worked with pre-prepared hanks of hair crimped to length. Unfortunately they moulded the head separately from the stick, joining the two with an aluminium dowel immediately behind the head, and that is where most of them failed especially if abused. However, for their relatively low cost they were good playing bows; a bass making friend of mine bought one for his daughter and it got her into the UK National Youth Orchestra as it was a far better player than the cheap German brazilwood bows that were then the only alternative for youngsters. It was just about possible to rehair them 'normally'. They morphed into the 'P & H London' bows when the Golden Strad name was dropped (I agree, it's awful) but production moved abroad and they now make a carbon fibre range of bows. The Golden Strad range didn't do much for the reputation of bow making in the U.K. Andrew Bellis, Bournemouth U.K.

 

[LouisF]

I'm not an ASTA member and I can't open the article, so I have no idea if the title is ironic or not:

Golden Strad the Most Significant Breakthrough in Bow-Making since François Tourte in 1780
First Published February 1, 1980 Research Article
Invalid Link Removed
Article information
No Access
Article Information
Volume: 30 issue: 1, page(s): 35-35
Issue published: February 1, 1980

 

[LouisF]

Ben -- this is what happens when you "start googling" )

Vintage/Antique Golden Strad Violin Bow Made In England 27 1/4" 2 Ounces | eBay

I am getting ads for Golden strad bows now. OY!!