How do I identify an old violin bow?

A valuable bow should be made of Brazil wood and have a deep, rich color. The bow should also be lightweight, about 56 to 64 grams, and the shaft should be six-sided. Check for good balance. Most valuable, high-quality bows have a whalebone or silver wrap just above the frog on the shaft for good balance.

How much does a professional violin bow cost?

A beginner’s bow can cost between $50 – $200, while professional bows will cost thousands of dollars and antique bows even tens of thousands. If you’re an advanced student studying violin as a potential profession, don’t balk at paying anywhere from $500-$1200 for the right bow.

How much does a quality violin bow cost?

On the lower side, a violin bow could cost you under $50, while on the higher side, it could cost you thousands of dollars. For starters, you’d want to go for something in the range of $50 to $100 or slightly more. But if you’re an intermediate player, a bow that’s in the range of $100-300 would be a good purchase.

Are violin bows worth anything?

You can buy a beginner’s bow for less than $50, but a top-rate professional bow can often cost thousands of dollars. A bow like this is completely handcrafted by skilled artisans. And just one can take an entire week to make. Even the most subtle differences in the way a bow is made will change how well it plays.

When was the German bow invented?

Consider the Maker. High-quality bow making arose in the 1830s, later in Germany than in other parts of Europe.

Why professional violin bows are so expensive?

Each bow requries specific raw materials, like Pernambuco wood from Brazil and horsehair from Mongolia. Much of its value comes down to the skills of the bow maker, who can spend as long as one week producing just one bow.

How much does a quality bow cost?

Many compound bows cost over $1,000, but Wenberg said you’ll find high-quality bows for under $500. A more expensive bow won’t necessarily make you more accurate. In fact, some faster, more expensive bows give beginners trouble. “You want a bow that’s forgiving and easy to shoot because you’re learning,” Wenberg said.

How do you tell the quality of a violin bow?

The bow shouldn’t seem too light or heavy in the hand. It shouldn’t be too weak or soft: It shouldn’t collapse easily on the hair when playing, or flex too much laterally. And it should be straight when viewed down the stick. Play a combination of bowing styles, including legato, spiccato, sautillé, and so on.

How do I sell my violin bow?

Selling your bow through a dealer is a convenient option, with each shop taking a commission on the sale that can be anywhere from ten percent to 25 percent of the selling price. Auction houses are another way to offer your bow.

What can I do with an old violin bow?

Take the old bows that are no longer useful, hot melt an old CD on to the tip end and give them away as fly swatters….. your musician friends will appreciate your recycling effort.

What kind of tail is used for a violin bow?

To make a violin playable, it needs a bow , matching the size of the instrument. For the stringing of the violin bow, about 250 hair of the tail from a special horse race are used. The bowstick is made out of brazilwood. Nowadays it increasingly consists of carbon fibre (carbon bow).

Why does my violin bow not have enough rosin?

Acoustically: you shall strike the bow across the strings as a test. If the bow does not slide easily and produces no sound or only a faint, thin sound, then the bow hair does not have enough rosin. But if the bow is very scratchy, then it may have gotten too much rosin. Optically: you can scrape across the bow hair with the thumb nail.

What kind of strings are used for the violin?

The strings for the bow instrument, thus for the violin, the viola, the violoncello and the double bass are specifically aligned with the generation of the sound with the help of the bow stroke. There is the biggest selection of violin strings, then followed by cello strings, viola strings and double bass strings.

How often should I use rosin on my bow?

Rosin ages and becomes sticky with time. Approximately every two years, you should buy a new rosin, so it is always available in the best quality. Therefore, it should always pulverised easily and not grease. When using another rosin brand, you should be sure to first clean the bow hair thoroughly.