Carbon Fibre bow

Why is this bow being offered as an accessory?

You're quite right to ask this question because there is indeed already a page on our web site specifically for bows. We feel however that the unbelievable low figure of UK£350-00 perfectly pitches the price of this product absolutely right for the huge numbers of you players out there looking for a fantastic playing bow - that won't break the bank to buy.

It is a good price - but does it work?

In three words - Yes it does. We boffins at The Contrabass Shoppe think that these carbon fibre bows play and feel like a fine professional quality pernambuco bows costing many times this amount. There is superb balance in the hand and a lateral stability along the length of the stick that produces an excellent legato and a nice lively response during spicatto playing. Indeed the response from the professional players who have already tried out these bows has been overwhelmingly positive.

How is such good value possible?

The manufacturers of these bows claim that new materials, the single piece construction of the stick and improved technologies in creating the advanced woven carbon fibre architecture has enabled costs to be cut to a fraction.

When you consider that to rehair your bow costs around UK£40-00, to relap your bow with silver and leather thumb piece costs on average UK£60-00 and to replace - should you have the misfortune to break it - the ivory tip or face on your bow costs up to UK£75-00 - it means that if you deduct these values from the cost price of the complete bow - the actual cost of the stick, frog and button comes to a mere UK£150-00. With other makes of carbon fibre bows on the market costing up to about UK£1500-00 - we're not sure how such good value is possible at all - all we do know is that these bows are a bit of a bargain.

Tell me more about the bows.

The designers of these bows have kept to classic French tradition and produced an elegant looking head in the style of a fine Lamy or Voirin. Aesthetically pleasing qualities are the chamfers that flow well into the stick and the well-defined ridge leading down to the tip. The large mother-of-pearl-dots and Peccatte like throat of the ebony frog also exude class. The mounts on the frog and button are made of nickel-silver. The nicely shaped ferrule allows for a generous band of hair while the three-piece "ebony-sandwich" button with its single collar and end-mother-of-pear-dot is simple and elegant. Yet another extremely nice touch - once again following the French tradition - are the three tiny holding pins in the rear mount and a tiny retaining screw in the top-plate. Fantastic stuff indeed.

What sort of players will want one of these bows?

We think that every standard and type of player will be absolutely delighted with one of these bows. For entry level to college students this is simply the perfect solution. For the jazzer or gig player who needs a virtually indestructible bow to use in the clubs this is the perfect bow. For the serious amateur, semi-professional or professional requiring a good second bow to use on those open-air dates or to use when your number one bow is being rehaired this is a fantastic solution. For all those on a limited budget or for those of you wanting to give a gift to a loved one - this is a dream come true.

In the event that I don't like the bow.

Already several top professionals have purchased one or two of these bows from us. The first one they use themselves. The second one they sell - with profit - onto one of their students. Tony Houska - Director of The Contrabass Shoppe comments - "These bows feel so comfy in the hand and draw out the sound of your instrument so well I can't imagine any player not liking them. Should there be any dissatisfaction in the product - we would of course make a refund - but I have to say that it is much more likely that demand will exceed supply."

Overall.

Even though this bow has an "accessory" price on it - it is clear that much attention to detail has been lavished on both its design and production. This is a nicely finished bow that will do a better job than many a bow costing in excess of UK£2000-00. Yes - it really is that good.

Stats:

Length of stick (without button): 668mm
Depth of frog: 31mm
Width of ferrule: 19mm
Weight: 141.0gms (ave)
Mounts: Nickel-silver
Lapping: Silver with leather thumb piece
Colour of stick: Carbon
Colour of hair: White

Carbon Fibre Bow Price: UK£ 350-00

Shipping costs - UK, EU and USA - UK£14-00