How to Choose a Violin Bow

A violin bow is the tool used to vibrate the strings of a violin to create music. Made of different materials to suit most price ranges, each violin bow is unique. Learn how to choose the best violin bow for your instrument and playing abilities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Know your budget when you choose a violin bow. Expensive violin bows range from $100 on up depending on the materials used to create the bow. Cheaper, more affordable violin bows for the beginner can cost as little as $25.
2. Understand the materials used to make violin bows. Top quality bows are made using genuine horse hair and special, endangered wood from the Brazilian rainforest called "Pernabuco" wood. This wood is superior in strength and sound compared to other woods. Lesser-quality violin bows are made of other woods or synthetic, composite materials. The bow string is usually nylon or other synthetic materials. Composite violin bows offer resiliency and won't warp like a wood bow can.
3. Test different violin bows and observe the strengths and weakness of each bow. Violin bows should weigh between 58 and 64 grams. The grain of the wood should run straight vertically; horizontal grains can cause cracks in the bow over time. Bows that are made from "Brazilwood" are lesser quality bows--"Brazilwood" is a generic term for other woods that aren't Pernambuco. The frog of the bow should fit well and be embellished with sterling silver or gold fittings. A frog with a fitting called "nickel silver" signifies an inexpensive bow. There is no silver in "nickel silver" fittings.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit an instrument store or a violin shop in your area to ask an expert for bow-buying tips.
• Be wary of an expensively priced violin bows made with Brazilwood and nickel silver. These are inexpensive, lower quality materials.