Are you searching for a violin bow?
Then you should read this article!
I’ll describe 8 violin bows together with one accessory and one essential bow part you should always maintain and replace if broken. Read about their material, horsehair, quality, brand, price, etc. You can compare them and their categories to decide which one suits you the best.
Things To Know When Buying A Violin Bow
Best Violin Bow Near Me
Many models can be found at online retailers such as Amazon. They have a wide offer of bows and often offer large discounts! Also, you can check out official websites from different violin brands. In case you don’t want to shop online, visit the local music shop.
Violin And Bow Suitable Size
When buying a bow, you should always consider the size. The bow should be suitable for the violin size to easily play the violin and to achieve the best sound. The bows can have 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 sizes, and up to 1/32 size. The full 4/4 sized bows are suitable for adults.
Violin Bow Cost
The violin bow price range is wide. You can find a suitable model for $20, while there are models priced up to $1000. The main factor that determines the price is material. Pernambuco models are rear and therefore very expensive.
Wood Structure And Fibers
The most common violin bows for sale are made from Brazilwood and genuine unbleached horsehair. The bow fibers are often made from horsehair because of the durability and they create good sound on the strings. Besides Brazilwood, the bow can be made from Pernambuco, fiberglass, and carbon fibers.
User-Friendly Accessories And Parts
The main part I will review in this article is horsehair. If broken, you must replace it. Otherwise, you can damage your violin. The violin bow case is a great addition to protect the bow, especially if the violin case doesn’t have a suitable pocket for a bow. Also, you must have rosin to maintain bow horsehair and to create loud and clear sound when playing.
The Best 8 Violin Bow Review
Best Violin Rosin
D’Addario Violin Bow Rosin
Light Structure
This violin bow rosin is light, therefore it’s denser and suitable for warmer climate areas. The light bow rosin ensures a clear and rich tone of the strings. This model is ideal for students because of the plastic channel that allows easy grip when putting the rosin up the bow.
Hair And Instrument Type
It can be used for both horsehair and synthetic hair. Besides the violin, it’s suitable for both viola and cello bows. The dark rosin of this brand is more suitable for colder climate areas and in case you want to achieve the louder and deeper sound.
- light rosin
- great for warm climate areas
- suitable for horsehair and synthetic hair
- works with violin, viola, and cello bows
- available in the dark version
Best Brazilwood Bow
AMZZ Brazilwood Fiddle Bow
Size And Ergonomic Design
This fiddle bow is full 4/4 size, therefore suitable for full-size violin. It’s ideal for adult violinists. The stick of this model is round and it has a leather layer for a more ergonomic grip. Also, it has an abalone slide and silver color plated wire.
Wood And Fibers Structure
The base is made from selected Brazilwood, while the fibers are made from AAA+ Mongolia genuine horsehair. The model is hand-carved and has a high-quality design that supports a resonant and rich sound when playing the strings. It’s lightweight, allows good response and control. The model is suitable for both students and professionals.
- full size
- leather grip
- brazilwood
- AAA+ Mongolian horsehair
Best Lightweight Carbon Fiber Bow
Viotti Carbon Fiber Violin Bow
Lightweight Composite Body
This model is made from carbon fiber, therefore it’s lightweight, easy to carry and travel with. Because of the lightweight design that weighs around 8.8 ounces, this carbon fiber violin bow ensures quick response and control.
Horsehair And Weather-Resistant Body
The fibers of the carbon fiber bow are made from unleached and genuine horsehair that’s protecting violin strings and creates high-quality sound. The Viotti carbon fiber violin bow is crafted by hand and its exterior is weather-resistant, which is very user-friendly.
Warranty And Skill Levels
The model has elegant mother-of-pearl and nickel trim. Its high-quality structure is covered with a 2-year limited warranty that approves for the quality. Regarding the skill level, it’s suitable for beginners, intermediates, and professionals.
- weighs around 8.8 ounces
- carbon fiber body
- unbleached horsehair
Best Case For Bow
Sky Violin Bow Case
Weight And Dimensions
This brand offers a violin bow case for one bow, however, there are versatile options you can check out. The case is extremely lightweight since it weighs only 7.2 ounces. It’s 29.75” long, 2” wide and high.
For All Sizes And Types
It’s constructed to fit the bow of any size. Also, it’s both lightweight and compact, therefore easy to transport and carry anywhere with you. It’s durable and protects the bow from outdoor weather conditions. The case can hold bows for violin, viola, or cello.
- 75” long, 2” wide and high
- durable and lightweight
Best Horsehair For Bow
Timiy Violin Bow Hair
Horsehair Length
The case was a necessary accessory, while the violin bow hair is the most important part. This offer includes 32” long horsehair you can use in case the one on your bow gets damaged. One end of the hair is prepared for the setting.
Type And Usage
The horsehair is unbleached and originates from Mongolian horses. It’s high-quality made, therefore it will protect the strings on your instrument and it ensures rich and resonant sound. It can be used for violins of any size and type. Also, it’s suitable for viola, cello, and bass bows.
- 32” long
- unbleached
- Mongolian horsehair
- suitable for all bow sizes and types
- prepared for setup
Best Fiberglass Violin Bow
Glasser Violin Bow
Fiberglass Lightweight Design
The Glasser violin bow is made of fiberglass, therefore it’s both durable and lightweight. It weighs only 2.24 ounces. Because of compact and lightweight design, it’s great for travels and it allows fast response and easy control.
Full-Size Dimensions
The structure of Glasser bow is 29” long, 1.25” high and 0.5” wide. The compact dimensions are suitable for a full-size adult violin. The fibers are made from real horsehair. The underslides are made from metal and the stick has a round shape.
- fiberglass structure
- horsehair bow fibers
- 29” long, 1.25” high and 0.5” wide
- weighs only 2.24 ounces
Best Cheap Pernambuco Bow
Vingobow Pernambuco Violin Bow
Handmade From Pernambuco
In case you want a cheap Pernambuco violin bow, this is one of the best offers on the market. Pernambuco is a rare wood, therefore this price is ideal for the bow type. It’s handmade from high-quality wood that’s been dried for 10 years.
Dimensions And Weight
The Pernambuco bow allows fast control and response, and it’s very lightweight. It weighs only 15.2 ounces, so it’s easy to carry it and transport. The model is suitable for full-size violin since it’s 30.1” long and 2.1” wide and high.
High-Quality Horsehair
The shape of the model is round. The fibers are made from premium-quality Mongolian horsehair. This horsehair is easy for the rosin and creates a warm and clear sound. The model also has a great balance point which means it’s easy to control. It’s suitable for all skill levels and especially recommended for professionals.
- high-quality Pernambuco wood
- 1” long, 2.1” wide and high
- Mongolian horsehair
Best Baroque Violin Bow
D Z Strad Baroque Bow
Baroque Design
In case you want to have a model with baroque style and exterior design, this offer is the most suitable for you. It’s an old German baroque violin bow suitable for all players at the master skill level.
Dimensions And Weight
The model is made from snakewood and it’s suitable for full 4/4 size violins. Therefore it’s 31.2” long, 2” wide and 1.8” wide. Also, it weighs only 6.4 ounces, so it’s extremely lightweight and easy to carry and control.
High-Level Horsehair
The fibers of this D Z Strad baroque bow are made from AAA level Mongolia horsehair that are protecting the violin strings and ensuring the best quality of sound and tone. The shape of this model is round and it ensures an excellent balance.
- baroque style
- full-size model
Best Antique Expensive Bow
D Z Strad Most Expensive Violin Bow
High-End Bow
This is the most expensive violin bow you can find on the market. It’s from a brand that produces high-end professional violins, therefore this is the best violin bow for professionals. The violin bow cost is determined by the wood type, quality, and structure.
Carefully Crafted From Selected Wood
The model is handmade by pernambuco wood that is very rare. It’s made by prize-winning bow makers and the wood was dried for a long time which adds to the quality and durability. It has a polished finish, round shape, Ebony frog, and Parisian eye inlay.
Lightweight And Compact Design
It weighs only 8 ounces, therefore it’s very lightweight and easy to carry. It’s a full-size model suitable for a full 4/4 size violin. The length is 31.8”, width is 2.7” and height is 2.6”. The dimensions and weight are allowing fast response and easy control. The fibers are made from high-level real horsehair.
- made from selected Pernambuco wood
- full-size bow
- fast respond and easy control
- Ebony frog and Parisian eye inlay
Best Tourte Violin Bow
D Z Strad Tourte Bow
High-Quality Design
Francois Xavier Tourte was a French bow maker who made a significant contribution to this industry. This is a Tourte copy violin bow. Like the previous model, it’s made from the prize-winning bow makers with a selected high-end pernambuco wood that’s been dried for a long time.
Exterior Structure And Horsehair
The exterior features frog made from ebony and mother-of-pearl inlay and slide. The fibers are made with the real unbleached AAA-level Mongolian horsehair that protects the strings and creates a rich and clear tone.
Weight And Dimensions
The model has a great balance point, therefore it’s easy to control and allows fast response. This Tourte bow is both lightweight and compact. The design weighs 6.4 ounces. The length is 31.3”, width is 1.73” and height i 1.5”. It’s fully silver-lined and has a round shape. This model is an ideal choice for any professional violinist.
- handmade Tourte copy
- AAA-level Mongolian horsehair
- high-end Pernambuco wood
- silver-lined with Ebony frog
- mother-of-pearl inlay and slides
Conclusion: Two Best Violin Bows To Buy
I recommend comparing categories and then deciding which is the best violin bow according to the category that you prefer! However, considering general factors such as price, quality of the wood, and performance, I will recommend these two models:
the Vingobow Pernambuco Violin Bow and the D Z Strad Baroque violin bow.
In case you want to research more about the violins, check out this best violin for sale review with a buying guide. For a good string replacement, I recommend reading the article on the best violin strings. Also, I recommend reading the review on the best bow rosin so you can maintain your violin bow correctly and ensure its longevity and high performance!