ViolinSmart Brazilwood Violin Bow Size 4/4 High Quality Great Sound

I'm an adult learner--a newbie. And still working on how to hold a fiddle and bow. Some months ago, I bought a fiddle that lists for $1,500 and a bow, that appraised for $300. After some near-misses with doorways, I decided that I should use a cheaper bow until I better learned how to manage it. I purchased this one because it's CHEAP! Is 8-sided like my "real" bow -- and the reviews were positive.It arrived very promptly -- in a very battered box, that had taken some serious dents. "Uh-oh! Hope they packed it well." Opening it, I found that the bow was in a plastic sheath, taped to a sturdy wooden rod, and enveloped in several turns of bubble wrap. It had come through, just fine!Unwrapping it, I was alarmed because it seemed to have a much more pronounced arch than my Bow #1. (Was it warped?) But no, everything lined up fine, actually. Looking it over, too, it was almost a replica of my fancier bow . . . the mother-of-pearl in the frog is a straight white, versus the pretty blue/greens in the other. Also, I could see that the wood was of a lighter weight.Then I put on the rosin and played. the tone was also "thinner" and lighter/quieter than with the more expensive bow. (Which, as a beginning violinist with neighbors on the other side of the wall, I consider a plus.) The sound is . . . pretty. Gee.Are these things hot? Should I "stock up while supplies last?" Incredible value. I don't know when I've been so happy with a purchase. A big thanks!

I bought this bow to use for silent evening practices. I wanted a new cheap bow to leave it without rosin. This bow definitely fits that description. The hairs were not set well. When it arrived, there were a few broken hairs and the rest were very loose. I tightened it and took the broken hairs out. When it is tightened enough to keep the hairs straight (and not falling out), there is considerable space between the wood and the hair. More hairs have broken, or become unplucked, since then. I have not broken any bow hairs before getting this bow. I'm not banging the bow against anything, so I'm wondering why the hairs would keep breaking. For my silent practices, this bow does seem to be adequate. The bow feels light, the wood on it reminds me of the wood on a #2 pencil. Cheap, but not too awkwardly unbalanced. The description says the hairs are real horse hair, but I'm not convinced that is true. They feel more plastic or nylon like, with the consistently of the stringy part of corn on the cobb husks.This bow is serving its purpose for now, but I am glad to have additional bows to use when I'm less concerned about the noise. I'm not sure how long this bow will last... When it does fall apart, I probably won't bother fixing it. I also probably wouldn't buy this one again.

Many, many years ago, I wanted to be a bass player. I had a friend who had an electric 6-string guitar and a bass, and the guy he jammed with, left for Parris Island, to spend the next four years in the Marine Corps. Those guys deserve LOTS of respect. So the bassist wanted someone to jam with, and in the end, I was talked into getting a 6-string guitar. I learned how to play it, became proficient, and my ego kept me there. But guitarists are a dime a dozen. In time, I tired of guitar. I am very capable, but, am just one more out of a bazillion out there. I am so-so on a keyboard, but wanted something different.So about fifteen years ago (at this writing), I bought a violin, and while I was working one night, the crack-smoking wife-beater who lived downstairs from me in the building where I was living at the time, kicked my door in and stole lots of my stuff, including the violin, and I'm sure, pawned it for drug money. He's in prison now, rot his soul, and I didn't get another one until this past Spring.I am an enthusiastic amateur, but learning quickly. The one I bought last Spring came with some rosin, and a bow. It is a nice bow, but with something like this, it's wise to have a replacement, in case something happens to the original one.I feel bad for the kid who gave this product a one-star rating, but I don't believe the seller was at fault. It looks to me (from watching his video review) like the post office broke it. Too bad. It's a nice product, I hope he took care of the problem.