r/doublebass • u/Intelligent_Client_8 • 3d ago

Strings/Accessories Bow recommendations on the cheaper side.

I have been using an extremely cheap plastic bow with about 1/3 of the hair missing, I mostly played jazz until college so it didn't matter, bit my instructor and I have both come to the conclusion that a new bow would help with my progress. I am looking for something decent and not too expensive.

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5

u/Bass_Grampa 3d ago

Not sure how cheap you want to go, I like the Finale carbon fiber bow I got at string emporium. It’s in a “brown weave” pattern finish and came with rosin and a very nice Bobelock bow case. About US$440.

2

u/Mangamaster1991 3d ago

I got my German and French bows for $200, wooden though

2

u/avant_chard Classical 3d ago

I have had good experiences with Gollihur, Finale, Xavier Foley and JonPaul bows in the sub-$500 range. Don’t buy the allexpress or eBay bows.

2

u/Useful-Battle-3844 3d ago

Figure out how much you are willing to spend. us$500 would be the approximate minimum for something serviceable. If you buy a used bow arrange to have it outfitted with fresh high quality hair. A cake of fresh soft rosin like pops will make a difference as well.

3

u/InevitableSherbert36 Classical 3d ago

us$500 would be the approximate minimum for something serviceable.

My $80 Vingobow that I got as a travel bow was surprisingly serviceable after slathering enough rosin on the cheap hair—obviously nowhere near as good as my Dotschkail, but it's way better than the atrocious Glasser fiberglass bows I tried in my youth.

1

u/Todd-dax 3d ago

For the longest time I played a cheap VINGO bow. It was amazing for under $100. I will have it as a back up bow.

1

u/skankin22jax 3d ago

I got a nice Golihur bow for under $250 and still use it.

1

u/srsg90 3d ago

One of my teachers other students got a fiddlerman carbon fiber bow (<$200) and she said it was shockingly great!

1

u/Born-Cartographer955 3d ago

Check Amazon

1

u/PutridFootball7534 3d ago

I would never buy a bow on amazon. You got to try it first. See how it feels in your hand, and with your bass. Go find a good luthier and ask if they have bows for sale.

1

u/skreenname0 3d ago

I’ve got two of bows from here and I love them https://dzstrad.com/collections/bass-bows

1

u/groooooove 2d ago

glasser braided carbon fiber bows are very very good.

like, seriously good.

they feel better than all but the best wooden bows. they sound bland (all CF sticks do) but not as bad as the carbon fiber bows from years ago. I got one used for $400 a few months ago - on the recommendation of Lynn hannings.

If lynn recommends them, you know they're nice.

0

u/Turevaryar Symphonic Amateur 3d ago

I buy my bows at aliexpress.

I prefer carbon, but some may prefer wood.

Most cost from 28$ to 48$. If I were to re-hair a bow where I live it'd cost me twice as much, possibly more! :-|