Hi!
Im six months into learning, and after careful consideration, I`ve just purchased a gliga as my first owned viola. I was going to purchase an outfit bow along with it, but in my research I`ve read several statements regarding the importance of a quality bow comprised of good materials to properly compliment a bowed instrument. I already have an ear sound and tone as I have years of experience with other (albeit non bowed) string instruments, so I`ve decided to take the advise of the articles and opinions I`ve read to look for a bow that wont leave my new gliga`s potential untapped. I don`t have unlimited funds, and hope to find something I can be comfortable using for my training under 200.00. Since Ill probably be looking for older bows on the internet (locally as well) I`d like to know what length and weight would identify the said bow as a viola bow. Also, Im open to any suggestions about where I could find a well reviewed bow around this price... As most of the viola specific bows on ebay I`ve considered are not particularly well thought of. I know its hardly likely that I could find some wonderful gem of a bow for even double the price range I`m currently in, Id like to find the best deal I can as apposed to settling for an overpriced low quality bow that will break or wear out in a year. Any help in my search would be greatly appreciated!
-Clayton

Gliga will give you a pernambuco bow as part of a complete outfit--and so doing you will spend less in total than buying the instrument by itself.

BTW, I own a Gama, and the pernambuco bow which it came with compared favorably with the $400 bows I tried from SHAR at the same time.

You have got to try the bow to be able to make any decissions---every bow is different--

Regards,

Bill

it`s not so much the weight that identifies it. It is easily identified by looking at the frog. Viola and cello bows have a rounded bottom right corner on the frog which violin bows do not have.

The Gliga pernamubco bow is fine. Personally I always go for a Glasser. Bows are even more personal that instruments, that`s the difficulty.

Liz

Hi Liz,

Do you use a regular old $29 Glasser, or a carbon fibre Glasser?

Regards,

Bill

What Liz said is a generalization that does not always apply. There are viola bows that have squared frogs just like violin bows - I own two of them. That is more of a stylistic thing dependent entirely on the bowmaker`s whim. I, myself, wish that weight had more to do with the difference between viola and violin bows. Too many viola bows are way too light for my liking! My favorite bow weighs 78 grams, and it is one with a squared frog, too (yes, the frog is original, and even bears the maker`s stamp). Not that many bows seem to be made anymore that are both heavy and well-balanced, unfortunately. (When I play violin, I don`t like the bow to be all that heavy, though. My bow technique is quite different on each instrument.)

http://viola.geargems.com
Bratsche`s Viola Bazaar - because violists deserve their own gear!

Bill,

I use a carbongraphite glasser (CG2)

Liz

Wider frog and tip block, length is usually about the same. Some viola bows are "slightly" longer. Most bows give you the sensation that they are light or heavy based on their ballance. Ballance and weight depend on your preference. Play a short peice with slurs, lots of string crossing and long sustained notes. GOOD LUCK!

Hmm... I am not an expert in brand names for bows, but do you have a luthier close to you? I would reccomend going to him/her because they are usually in the market for finding the best bows and can sell them to you at a better price, this is what I did. Might I compliment you on buying an instrument, it makes the learning process so much easier. Or, if you don`t have a luthier close to you, go to sharmusic.com. You can do bow trials so they will send them to you in a multi-bow box and you can try them all and buy the one you really love. Best of luck!
Mari

OMG the best bows are those carbon bows!!!!!!!!!!oh my lord they are the best....they are lighter and they have a better bounce. they are around $700.00 not good for beginners unless your`re rich or somehting.....I`ve been playing for 6 years and i finally got one...