A bow is an integral part of the music playing on a violin. There are different types of violin bows made of different materials. So, if you are looking for a perfect bow for your violin, you must consider many factors. For example, the stick and hair materials, your level of expertise in playing, etc.
Check out the best violin bows that you can find currently on the market.
Top 7 Best Violin Bows
You should consider the material of the bow hair. The white Mongolian Stallion’s tail is the best source for bow hair. Some bows also have black hair, but they can be coarse. You should consider all the different violin bow parts and compare them before making the right choice. The list of all these parts is as follows:
1. Screw
2. Frog
3. Grip
4. Stick
5. Hair
6. Tip
| Product | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fiddlerman 8826 | 4.6 |
| MI&VI Classic | 4.5 |
| VINGOBOW 120V | 4.6 |
| Kennedy Professional | 4.4 |
| Vio v-10 | 4.3 |
| CodaBow Prodigy | 4.7 |
| Kmise A5649 | 4.5 |
Here are 7 of the best violin bows.
1. Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4 – Model Fid-8826
Being a famous brand name in violin accessories, Fiddlerman is an excellent resource for every player who seeks high-quality bows at reasonable prices. It is a lightweight carbon fiber violin bow that offers the advantages of its expensive alternatives. Besides, it is an excellent violin bow upgrade if you have used Stentor, Cremona, Cecilio, or Mendini violin.
The bow is handmade from carbon fiber composite. Moreover, it has an elegantly decked copper-mounted ebony frog. It also has a quality matching that of Mongolian horsehair. Note that the manufacturer hasn’t applied rosin touches to this bow. So, you can use the violin rosin of your choice.
Features
- Excellent balance
- The perfect arch provides perfect action and bounce.
- It also works with your favorite violin rosin.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent balance
Cons
- Jagged edge on the tip
2. MI&VI Classic Pernambuco Violin Bow
As the name suggests, this bow uses pernambuco wood, which is quite popular for its rarity. Furthermore, this wood’s porous nature enhances the elasticity, allowing players to achieve expert-level bowing skills quickly.
It is a modern violin bow that comes with free rosin. Besides, it is lightweight and uses genuine Mongolian horsehair. If you seek excellent playability, this bow can fulfill your wish by providing precise and balanced tones.
Features
- Extremely effective and fast response rate.
- The use of high-quality horsehair provides durability and flexibility.
Pros
- Smooth and refined sound
- It uses natural Mongolian horsehair
- Improves sound
Cons
- It takes some effort to set the alignment
3. VINGOBOW 4/4 Violin Bow – Model 120V
At first sight, this VingoBow Violin Bow seems extremely impressive. However, the design of this bow suits only advanced-level players. The bow assures ease of use and flexibility. Moreover, this bow features a high wooden curve, making it comfortable to hold. This bow can produce deep, warm, and clear tones if employed correctly.
This bow has extraordinary bounce stability. If you are looking for a violin bow with the elegance and feel of wood and the strength and flexibility of carbon fiber, this is the bow for you.
Still, the manufacturer can improve the quality of horsehair, which is cut very small. Players may not be able to lengthen it if needed.
Features
- Lightweight bow
- It produces louder sounds, making it perfect for professional players.
- Highly attractive design
Pros
- Reliable and durable yet flexible
- Genuine natural horsehair
- Handcrafted to perfection
Cons
- Slight difficulty in setting up the tension screw/nut
- The horsehair length is too short
4. Kennedy Violins – Giuliani Violin Bow – Professional
Firstly, it is a popular violin bow with many promises. The manufacturer has given special attention to the design, aesthetics, and overall craftsmanship. The bow setup undergoes thorough inspection at the hands of experienced professionals.
This bow is thoroughly handmade and comes pre-rosined. Its making includes using Brazil wood, a dense, durable, and high-quality wood that mainly grows in northern Brazil. Well, it is durable and tough enough to resist warping. Almost all Kennedy Violins bows are manufactured with Mongolian horsehair. When you draw the bow over the string, it will create a clear and smooth tone.
Features
- Provides excellent balance with fully mounted frog
- Highly comfortable to hold
- Leather grip
Pros
- Uses the highest quality genuine materials
- Produces full tone
- Handmade product
Cons
- It can be a little too bouncy for some players
5. Vio Music 4/4 Violin Bow – Model v-10
Are you looking for a simple violin bow to practice at home? Then this bow seems to match your needs. The unique design of this Vio Music violin bow allows it to play wonderfully. It provides a comfortable grip that helps you get more out of your playing experience. You can also use it to play longer, as it doesn’t tire your arm. Moreover, you can tighten and loosen it easily. It also plays much smoother compared to other options.
This bow will be extremely lightweight compared to the other alternatives. Just rosin it up, and it is ready to start playing.
Features
- Attractive design
- Made with Mongolian horsehair and Brazilwood
Pros
- Excellent balance and response
- Suitable for practicing purpose
Cons
- Needs more durability
- It may produce loud sounds at times.
6. CodaBow Prodigy 4/4 Violin Bow – Model BHBU0503A475
Want to take your initial violin skills to the next level? Then it’s time to have your hands on this CodaBow violin bow. Being true to its brand name, this carbon-graphite bow ensures excellent performance.
This bow is rare among other beginner-level bows. It comes with a strong carbon fiber combined with an acoustic core. This combination can produce a smooth and robust sound. If you’re looking for a carbon fiber violin bow that combines the features of beginner-level and professional bows in one product, then go for this one.
Features
- Highly stable
- Very sturdy carbon fiber construction
Pros
- Dynamically balanced shaft
- Excellent point of balance
- Long-lasting bow
Cons
- The size is quite long to fit into a standard violin case
7. Kmise Stunning Violin Bow – Model A5649-KUSS
Kmise carbon fiber violin bow comes with the finest features of its structure. As a result, this model assures satisfaction and performance. The making of this bow includes the use of modern molding techniques. So, the feeling you get while handling this bow is somewhat better than what we get from conventional wood-based construction.
The use of carbon fiber ensures excellent resistance. This bow is long-lasting and will serve you for years to come. We often hear that exposure to humidity and heat can damage the violin bows. Well, this theory may not work in the case of carbon fiber. You can use this bow with little to no adjustments.
Features
- Handcrafted bow with excellent craftsmanship
- Uses Mongolian horsehair
Pros
- Lightning-quick response
- Extraordinary balance
- Elegant design
Cons
- Insufficient gap spacing for the thumb
- It has a heavier top
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Frequently Asked Questions
Firstly, place your thumb on the small bump under the stick. After that, make sure to keep your thumb bent in the middle. The fingers on the bow should hold the curve inward.
The making of a violin bow consists of a wide range of materials, including Brazilwood, carbon fiber, and pernambuco wood.
When tightening a violin bow, place a pencil’s end between the bow hair and stick it at the center of the bow. Tighten the bow until you feel the pencil fitting within the space.
Use a dry cloth to remove the rosin remains from the stick. You may also use a cleaner gently. Before you clean the bow hair, turn the screw and take it out along with the frog. Take some alcohol and dip a toothbrush into it. Comb it through the hair and remove all the dirt, including the rosin. Finally, use a dry cloth to remove the alcohol and let the hair dry.
Our Top Pick
Considering the brand name, material quality, and added features, we would like to select the Giuliani Advanced Violin Bow as our top pick from the above list. If we consider the top violin bow brands, we should list Kennedy Violins at the top.
Like most other violin bows, this bow uses Mongolian horsehair and is made of Brazilwood. But what makes this bow stand out is its manufacturing, which is entirely handcrafted. You can start using this bow as soon as the manufacturer delivers it pre-rosined. You can see a silver winding covering at the lower portion of this bow. Well, it looks attractive and provides a robust base to absorb the string tension. In short, this violin bow is worth buying, especially if you want to invest in a long-lasting product.
