Modern Cello Bow (Silver-Mounted)

Customization & Variations

Photos are for reference only and represent a typical bow. Actual bows may differ in color, shape, and frog style. Pernambuco bows have chiseled frog slide rails for improved stability.

We select bows that feel relatively light (balance point close to the frog), have a high degree of flexibility, and are very responsive. They typically weigh between 76 and 82 grams. If you have a request regarding color, stick shape, frog style, winding material, or weight and balance characteristics, send us an email before ordering. We can accommodate most requests with a 4-week lead time.

Ironwood vs Pernambuco

Ironwood bows have a somewhat more mellow and rich tonal characteristic. Pernambuco bows are a bit more responsive and have a brighter tone. Ironwood would be an excellent choice for chamber music; for soloists, pernambuco would be most appropriate. With that being said, the differences between the two are relatively subtle, and neither is necessarily “better” than the other. The difference in price is due to the relative scarcity of pernambuco.

Our ironwood bows compare favorably to Brazilian bows in the range of $800 to $1200 (retail). Our pernambuco bows compare favorably to Brazilian bows in the range of $1500 to $3000 or European bows in the range of $2000 to $5000 (retail).

Hair

The quality of hair on these bows is comparable to what you’d get at a reputable luthier. If you have special requests for hair (amount, twist, etc.), we can have the bow rehaired locally, to your preferences, for an additional fee. Please contact us for information about this service prior to ordering.

Sourcing

These bows are specially made for us by a workshop in China; we believe they are the best value on the market. Rather than purchasing bows in bulk, as most retailers do, we work directly with the workshop to commission bows that meet our requirements for materials, style, and workmanship. Our contract allows us to select the best bows from a batch and return the ones that don’t meet our standards. Each bow is thoroughly inspected and tested in Atlanta before shipment. If bows are on backorder, lead time is approximately 4 weeks.

Trial Policy

Bows may be returned for 7 days after the date of delivery. Please keep the original packaging. If you are not satisfied with your bow, simply send us an email; for customers in the US, we will provide a prepaid, insured return shipping label. (International customers are responsible for return shipping; we cannot refund customs charges.) Once your return arrives at our facility, we will inspect it and issue a full refund less our actual (one-way) shipping cost. Refunds may be reduced if the bow is damaged or missing a substantial amount of hair. If the hair is significantly stained near the frog, we will deduct a $20 cleaning fee. Customized bows that are not defective are subject to a 25% restocking fee.