Used Violin Bows Aren't Always a Bargain

[Terrence Richardson]

Many times parents and or students think that buying a used violin bow
is going to save them money. However, as with anything that has had a
previous owner, sometimes violin bows need to have some tender loving
care to bring them back to a good working state. It really depends on
how old the bow is and well it was taken care of by previous owners.
These are things you will want to consider when looking for a used
violin bow. A quality bow will have parts that are in good condition.
The different parts of the bow are the frog, the screw, the stick the
pad and the hair. Let's go over the different parts of a violin bow
and what to look for in each part when you are shopping for used
violins.First, the frog, located at the bottom, is the part of the bow
that holds the hair. The screw is usually a silver colored piece that
fits into the bottom of the bow just below the frog. When the screw in
the frog is tightened, it moves the frog, which in turn tightens the
hair and makes it taut. Having just a bit of tautness is important for
the hair to play the tune correctly. Also, the frog should always be
loosened after playing to ensure the hairs stay in good condition.
Here is the important part about the hairs. If used bow hairs are not
in good condition or have been over taut, they may need to be
replaced. Always check for this when considering buying a used bow.
Before you go shopping you should find out how much hair replacement
will cost because it may be more than you are willing to spend
depending on the price of the bow.Also, when considering the purchase
of used violin bows, always check to make sure the stick and pad are
also in good condition. The stick is the main, wooden part of the bow.
If they are not, you might consider looking for another used or new
bow rather than replacing these items. Regardless, it is important to
check all parts of the bow before making a decision on whether or not
a used violin bow is of the quality you want.Used violin bows may be
found in the classifieds, online, at music shops and the like.
Although it doesn't happen often, you might buy a used violin bow and
find it is a diamond in the rough that simply needs a little tuning.
If you have a music shop that you trust, then you should start there
because they will not sell used violin bows that are not in good
shape. A good music shop will repair and replace parts as necessary
before selling a bow.