Selecting a Bow

The easiest way to select a bow is to compare bows and again use the process of elimination.

*Sound
Two things can influence a bow's sound quality:
1.The type of rosin used
2.How fresh the rehair is
A very freshly rehaired bow may produce more side noise (a hissing or gritty sound) than a bow that has been played in.

*Responsiveness
Use different types of bowing techniques (spiccato, detache, staccato, etc.) to see how well the bow follows your command. The weight of a bow is important. Total weight, however, can be misleading. For example, a tinsel or whalebone grip weighs about 4 grams less than a silver grip, so a bow with a tinsel or whalebone grip will have to be slightly heavier toward the tip of the stick to attain the same total weight as a bow with a silver grip. This will make the bow feel heavier than the bow with a silver grip, although the two bows have the same total weight.

*Aesthetics
This is a matter of personal preference.

*Resale Value
Consult with a trusted expert.

Further Suggestions
Be sure to examine a bow very carefully for hairline cracks around the tip before paying for it. Small cracks can lead to a broken bow weeks or months after the purchase.