Best Violin Bows for Beginners
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Best Violin Bows For Beginners (Complete Guide)

The best violin bows have several key aspects that make them stand out. For those still building their skills, this guide will help you make the right decision!

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Best Violin Bows violin divider

The Best Violin Bows for New Violinists

Top 5 Quality Violin Bows at a Glance:

Product

Feature Image

Rating

Relative Price

#1 Overall Best Value!

Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Violin Bow

Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4 4.5 out of 5 stars

(4.5)

$$$$

 

#2 Best Budget Pick

Cecilio Brazilwood Violin Bow

Cecilio Brazilwood Violin Bow with Ebony Frog in Size 4/4 (Full Size) 4.2 out of 5 stars

(4.2)

$$

 

#3 Best Upgrade Bow

Crescent Carbon Fiber Violin Bow

Crescent Well Balanced Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4 4.3 out of 5 stars

(4.3)

$$$

 

#4 Best Backup Bow

Violinsmart 3/4 Size Violin Bow

Violinsmart 3/4 size violin bow 4.4 out of 5 stars

(4.4)

$$

 

#5 Lowest Cost

Violinsmart Full Size Brazilwood Violin Bow

ViolinSmart Brazilwood Violin Bow Size 4/4 Great Sound 4.2 out of 5 stars

(4.2)

$$

 

As a violinist, there are several different aspects to consider before investing in a bow. Choosing the right one can certainly be easier with proper guidance.

When learning a new instrument, choosing the correct tools for your skill level can be intimidating.

If you’re a beginner player there’s no need for an expensive or fine violin bow just yet.

You will need a stick that has proper balance, is not too light or too heavy, and is reasonably strong as you begin to perfect your skills and become a better player.

What Makes a Good Violin Bow?

As the professional violinists say, a bow should be an extension of your hand. It’s vital to find the best violin bow so that you can gain proper bowing techniques and ability.

Violin Bow Shapes

When looking for an appropriate bow always consider the type of material, sound, balance and weight, and shape of the product. Finding a bow that makes you confident and your performance effortless is crucial.

Typically, inexperienced players have a difficult time understanding that different bows can create a diverse sound on the instrument.

Choosing a bow that creates the sound you want is significant to distinguish your personal playing style. Read below for more information on the top five bows on the market for new violinists today.

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The Top 5 Violin Bows In Review

1. Best Violin Bow for Beginners: Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Violin Bow

The Fiddlerman carbon fiber bow is a handmade product known for its quality and low-cost price. It’s popular among the violin community and guarantees no finger strain.

The bow was designed to resemble the curve and weight of professionally-used wood bows. The bow may require being rosined and broken in if bought brand new.

Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4

Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Bow

Features

  • Item Weight: 2.1 ounces
  • Product Dimensions: 29 x 0.5 x 1 inches
  • Decorated Copper Ebony Frog
  • Features Mongolian Horse Hair

Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Violin Bow Review

What We Like

      • Good Balance
      • Handmade Carbon Fiber Bow
      • Great Weight Distribution
      • Great Arch with Nice Bounce
      • Light Weight

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What We Don’t Like

      • The hair on the bow is a little weak
      • Will take time to get used to if you haven’t used a carbon fiber bow before

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What Do Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Bow Users Think? >>

Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4

Click Here for the Latest Fiddlerman Bow User Reviews >>

Verdict

Ultimately, this Fiddlerman is a solid bow that is better than those that are given with starter sets.

The Fiddlerman bow is elegantly designed and is made with incredible craftsmanship. It’s been known to outperform many other competing products on the market.

With clean fittings, a great arch, and quality balance you won’t go wrong with a Fiddlerman carbon fiber stick if you’re looking for a good practice bow.

It’s a strong violin bow that holds comfortably and pulls a nice sound.

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2. Best Budget Violin Bow: Cecilio Brazilwood Violin Bow

This Cecilio Brazilwood violin bow is popular among violin enthusiasts and beginners. It is a high-value bow known for being strong and its responsiveness.]

It’s reasonably priced and is a great starter or backup bow for violin players.

This bow is both well-balanced and holds rosin nicely if you’re looking to pull the sound out of the strings a little more.

Cecilio Brazilwood Violin Bow with Ebony Frog in Size 4/4 (Full Size)

Cecilio Brazilwood Bow

Features

  • Item Weight: 3.2 ounces
  • Package Dimensions: 29.9 x 1.4 x 0.9 inches
  • Ebony Frog
  • Silver Mount, Fully lined

Cecilio Brazilwood Violin Bow Review

What We Like

      • Round Bow
      • Strong, Unbleached, Natural Horse Hair
      • Made with Brazilwood
      • E.Z Grip

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What We Don’t Like

      • The finger rest is made of rubber and may cause slight irritation

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What are Cecilio Violin Bow Customers Saying? >>

Cecilio Brazilwood Violin Bow with Ebony Frog in Size 4/4 (Full Size)

Read the Latest Cecilio Brazilwood Bow Reviews Here >>

Verdict

This Cecilio bow is a great bang for your buck. The horse hair is strong and durable, making it perfect for beginners who are rough on the strands.

It performs very well for its price and promises a nice sound. If you’re looking for a bow that is low-priced and will last you a few years, a Cecilo Brazilwood violin bow is highly recommended.

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3. Best Upgrade: Crescent Carbon Fiber Violin Bow

This is yet another carbon fiber bow from Crescent, although it will take users a while to get used to playing it, the frog, fittings, hair quality, cut and camber is a steal for the price it’s selling for.

This is a respectable bow made with real ebony and abalone, you would see any plastic here. Beginners will be in awe of the ease this bow has against the strings.

Crescent Well Balanced Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4

Crescent Carbon Fiber Bow

Features

  • Item Weight: 2.4 ounces
  • Product Dimensions: 32 x 1 x 1 inches
  • Crafted For a Full-Size Violin
  • Round Stick
  • Ebony Frog with Slides and Faux Pearl Eyes
  • Synthetic Grip

Crescent Well Balanced Carbon Fiber Bow Review

What We Like

      • High-Quality Product
      • Round Shape with a Black Carbon Stick
      • Perfect Balance
      • Smooth playing with Frog Slide
      • Frog is Made of Ebony with Parisian eyes
      • Natural Mongolian Horse Hair

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What We Don’t Like

      • Grip may be uncomfortable
      • Product may be a little heavy for beginning players

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What Do Crescent Balanced Carbon Fiber Bow Owners Think? >>

Crescent Well Balanced Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4

Check the Latest Crescent Bow Customer Reviews >>

Verdict

All in all, this second bow from Crescent is great for a subtle upgrade from a generic wood bow. It is a nice compositional bow at an excellent value.

Overall, it’s a high-quality bow that produces a slicker, smoother sound. Very durable due to the carbon fibers and build of the product.

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4. Best Backup Bow: Violinsmart 3/4 Size Violin Bow

Known as a great student bow, the ¾ Violinsmart bow is a product that will satisfy novice and absolute beginner violin players alike.

It’s a handmade bow that is designed to produce incredible sound at a price that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Violinsmart 3/4 size violin bow

Violinsmart Violin Bow

Features

  • Item Weight: 3.2 ounces
  • Package Dimensions: 27 x 1 x 0.5 inches

Violinsmart 3/4 Violin Size Bow Review

What We Like

      • Hand-crafted Bow
      • Good Sound
      • Made with Brazilwood and Real Horse Hair
      • Light with Easy Handling

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What We Don’t Like

      • Weak Bow Hair

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Are Violinsmart 3/4 Violin Size Bow Customers Happy? >>

Violinsmart 3/4 size violin bow

Click Here to Check Violinsmart Bow Availability >>

Verdict

Overall, when rosined well the Violinsmart bow is an ideal choice for young or beginning users.

This product is highly recommended for kids who have just begun and are often a little reckless with their instrument.

It’s a low-cost product that will satisfy the needs of the user.

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5. Best Economy Bow: Violinsmart Full Size Brazilwood Violin Bow

This particular Violinsmart Round Brazilwood bow is a cheap product with a high-quality look.

This bow is known for producing a thin, quieter sound, which as a practicing beginner may not be a bad thing. This bow is known to be used for silent practices and warmups.

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What We Like

      • Low-Price
      • Good Sound And Quality
      • Has mother-of-pearl features
      • Made with Real Mongolian Horse Hair

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What We Don’t Like

      • Somewhat Weak Bow Hair
      • Considering comfortability, it can be a little heavy for a new player

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What Do Violinsmart Brazilwood Bow Owners Think? >>

No products found.

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Our Top Two Picks for Beginner Violin Bows:

First impressions are always important so go with your gut. If a bow feels too heavy or light you may need to look into a different product.

When you’ve found a good bow, you should be able to play all parts of it comfortably. When testing out different products, make sure to listen for delicate differences in surface noise, clarity and fullness of sound.

You want a bow that will enhance your instrument not detract from it, so it’s imperative that you find a product that will work well with your violin.

Everyone will have a different opinion, so it’s essential to find a bow that is personally best for you.

As you begin to increase your skills and expertise over time, your ability to identify the difference between bows of a different make, shape, and balance will become clearer.

  • Overall Average Build Quality
  • Overall Average Hair Quality
  • Overall Average Value Factor
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Summary

Overall Average Score:

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Follow Amanda Varney:

Chief editor at newviolinist.com

Amanda has been chief editor for NewViolinist since 2016. Since then, she and her team have helped thousands of musicians learn more about their instruments and achieve their own musical goals.

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