How to Buy a Bow
There are many factors to consider when trying out a bow for purchase. In addition to the initial considerations of price, size, materials, workmanship and age, you can evaluate a number of playability factors. When calling LAH Bows with the intention of trying out a bow/bows, I will ask you about your initial considerations (including what level of player you are) so that I am able to help find the best match for your needs.
Additionally, I hope you get something out of the July 2018 Strings article in which David Bonsey, George Rubino and I each share our advice for your successful search for a new bow.
Click here for a printable version of the chart below for use during bow comparison and evaluation. (Download the FREE Acrobat Reader to read, navigate, and print this PDF file.)
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Initial Considerations |
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Price |
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Size |
full size | fractional size (for children) |
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Materials |
wood | other |
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Condition |
new | restored |
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Playability Factors |
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Comfort of Frog & Grip |
comfortable | moderately comfortable | uncomfortable |
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Perception of Weight |
good | too heavy | too light |
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Strength of Stick |
good | too stiff | too flexible |
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Tone Quality |
pleasing | too bright | too dark |
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Consistency of Tone |
good | changes gradually | changes suddenly |
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Loud Dynamics |
plays very loudly | plays moderately loudly | does not play loudly |
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Soft Dynamics |
plays very softly | plays moderately softly | does not play softly |
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Action of Spiccato |
bounces well | too much bounce | too little bounce |
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Tone Color Contrasts |
many colors | few colors | only one color |
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Vibrato Color Contrasts |
allows many colors | allows few colors | allows only one color |
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Bow Directional |
not noticeable | somewhat noticeable | very noticeable |