This page last updated 31st January 2012
FULL SIZE VIOLIN BOWS up to £80
- Stamped W Dorfler, brazilwood stick, nickel mounted plain ebony frog and adjuster, plated wire lapping
and long leather thumbpiece. A modern German factory made bow, only a year or two old. Weighs 63 grams. Medium
stiffness. No repairs. A decent example of this type, with reasonable but unremarkable playing qualities. A
sensible step up from a starter bow.
Price £70.00
- Unstamped red-brown pernambuco stick, nickel mounted ebony frog (possibly not original) and adjuster, imitation
whalebone lapping and leather thumbpiece. Probably German, mid-20th century. Weighs 58 grams. Medium to soft.
No repairs but some scratches. Feels even lighter than its weight and plays well, except that it can get a bit lively in
very fast passages.
Price £70.00
- Unstamped red-brown pernambuco stick, nickel mounted ebony frog and adjuster, black plastic
lapping and leather thumbpiece. Probably Czech, mid to late 20th century. Weighs 66 grams. Medium stiffness.
No repairs but some scratches. A decent but unremarkable bow, steady on the string, rather heavy.
Price £60.00
- Unstamped modern brazilwood stick, 'gold' (brass) mounted frog and adjuster, plated wire lapping and
leather thumbpiece. Weighs 63 grams. Medium to stiff. Average balance, not too bouncy, steady on the string,
comfortable to play. This bow is unused, but has been straightened as it had a slight twist at the tip, and is
priced accordingly.
*NOTE*. Bows like this are sold on the internet as pernambuco with 7 carat gold fittings, at inflated prices. Pernambuco and brazilwood
are subspecies of the same tree, but I am dubious as to whether this wood counts as pernambuco. As for the gold, it is
illegal in the UK to sell as gold any item over 1 gram in weight which is not hallmarked, and 7 carat is not a recognized
gold standard (the lowest standard is 9 carat or .375). Beware!
Price £60.00
- Unstamped modern pernambuco stick, nickel mounted frog and adjuster, plated wire lapping and
leather thumbpiece. Weighs 55 grams. Medium to soft. No repairs. Balance rather tip light, so feels even lighter than it is.
Plays well enough, sounds sweet, but the bounce can get a little lively in very rapid string crossing.
Price £55.00
- Unstamped fairly modern brazilwood stick, nickel mounted frog and adjuster, imitation whalebone
lapping and leather thumbpiece. Probably German. Weighs 64 grams. Stiff. No repairs. Balance slightly tip heavy. Plays well.
Not as sweet sounding as some brazilwood bows, probably because of its stiffness. Typical of the modern German (and Chinese)
made brazilwood bows.
Price £50.00
- Fairly modern German octagonal dark brazilwood stick, faintly stamped (Hermann?), nickel mounted frog and adjuster, imitation
whalebone lapping and leather thumbpiece. Weighs 60 grams. Medium to stiff. No repairs. Slightly tip heavy balance but plays well
and stays steady on the string. Probably dates from the 1960s or 1970s.
Price £50.00
- Unstamped, light brown pernambuco stick, nickel mounted frog and adjuster, plated wire lapping and leather
thumbpiece. Weighs 64 grams. Medium stiffness. This bow has been straightened more than once and has a repair to
the head at mortice level. A modern German made bow, with reasonable balance, comfortable to play with. The price
reflects the repairs.
Price £40.00
- Unstamped, a 20th century German brazilwood stick, half-mounted frog and nickel mounted adjuster,
tinsel lapping and leather thumbpiece. Weighs 60 grams. Medium to stiff. No repairs. A
respectable bow with reasonable balance, steady on the string and no real tremor in the middle.
Price £40.00
- Unstamped, an relatively modern, probably German, brazilwood stick, half mounted frog and nickel mounted
adjuster, plated wire lapping and leather thumbpiece. Weighs 64 grams. Stiff. No repairs. Typical of the heavier
modern student bow, this plays well and is very steady, with no obvious faults except its weight, which won't suit
everyone.
Price £40.00
- Unstamped, an early 20th century German brazilwood stick, varnished dark red, nickel mounted frog and
adjuster, imitation whalebone lapping and leather thumbpiece. Weighs 57 grams. Medium to soft. Repaired crack
behind frog. A respectable bow with reasonable balance, sweet sound but too soft for some styles of playing.
Price £40.00
- Unstamped, possibly Czech., dark brazilwood stick, nickel mounted frog and adjuster, imitation whalebone
lapping and leather thumbpiece. Weighs 58 grams. Medium to soft. No repairs as far as I can see. A respectable
bow with reasonable balance, sweet sound but can get a little bouncy in vigorous use.
Price £40.00
I always have a selection of bows from £15 to £40
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