The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #140361   Message #3225578
Posted By: GUEST,beardedbruce
19-Sep-11 - 11:18 AM
Thread Name: Looking for a decent fiddle bow
Subject: RE: Looking for a decent fiddle bow
crossposted ( typing slowly today)

Bows-

plastic- don't bother

fiberglass- some can be decent, but never great.

cherry/other woods- seem to lose their tension over time, but flexible

brazilwood- reasonable, but have no value/not worth rehairing

pernambuco- best wood- pricey, endangered, traditionally the best

carbon fiber- does not warp or lose tension, but seems to not produce the sound that performers are looking for

Braided carbon fiber- seems to compare well with pernambuco, can be stiff but individual bows can differ, even the same model. Very strong, does not warp or change tension with time ( as far as I have been able to find out.)


ALL comments are my own opinions- yours may differ.