Fiddles and bows. Mandolins and other instruments. Musical saw.

Violins & bows. A few ideas, views and suggestions

If you are buying an inexpensive violin bow, a low-cost fibre bow can be a good choice.

Fibre bows are robust and do not break easily. They withstand the natural heat and humidity of dancing in pubs and village halls.

Cheap wooden bows are often a little heavy and soft, while fibre bows are lighter and more springy.

At the expensive end of the market, I think wooden bows outperform carbon-fibre bows.

When I am out playing, I use a fibre bow costing DKK 425. Remember that a bow must suit the particular violin you play. Always test a new bow on your own violin, because the bow has a major influence on its sound.

If you are looking for fine, expensive bows, I recommend buying from a violin maker. See Links.

I am always on the lookout for good fiddles.

Between 1920 and 1950, many so-called "teacher-training college violins" were built. These violins can have an excellent tone and are often the ones found at markets. The violins I buy must have an intact body, since I am not a violin maker.

If you are looking for fine, expensive violins, I recommend contacting a professional violin maker, just as with bows.

P.S. A used violin with some wear and patina, rather than looking new, can be a very good sign. It is worn because it has been worth playing.

These "teacher-training college violins" often have no label. If they do have one, it will frequently say "Antonio Stradivari", which simply means the violin was built to Stradivarius's plans.

Their somewhat tarnished reputation is mainly due to the thousands of helpless pupils who once had to listen to their teacher accompanying morning singing. That is rarely the violin's fault. I sometimes find these violins in fine condition for little money. The varnish can also suggest a violin's age. Antique violins often have a fine, thin varnish. Thick, very glossy varnish is not necessarily a good sign. A violin's label can also be misleading.

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