D Z Strad Model 700 Pernambuco Wood Violin Bow-4/4 Full Size (4/4 - Size)

I am new to fiddle. I’ve been playing bluegrass and celtic styles for maybe 6 months. I was struggling badly with bowing techniques. It seemed like I was fighting with my bow, to get it to do what I wanted. I thought for a long time that it was just because I’m new and unskilled, and didn’t have the muscle memory to get clean sounds and nice sounding double-stops, and quick action. First I was using the crappy bow that came with my beginner/intermediate outfit. Then I “upgraded” to a $70 brazil wood bow, which was equally terrible, followed by a $80 CF bow, which was marginally better, mostly because it was actually straight. I chugged along for a few more months, frustrated at the end of every practice session.Then I decided to take a chance on this pernambuco bow from DZ Strad, since it came up as a good deal on a used unit.Let me tell you, my bowing improved instantly, with the better quality bow. I’m still very much in the beginning learning-curve on techniques, but I’m finally able to get the various shuffle patterns right, because this bow actually responds to the subtle wrist movements you need to use for quick shuffle bowing. I’ve even started learning hokum/double-shuffle bowing, and I can actually do it!Maybe one day, when I’m much better at fiddle, I’ll be able to go back to a low-end bow and get decent sound out of it. But for now, I need all the advantages I can get - within my budget. I don’t know if I’d pay full price for this bow, at my current stage of ability. It has made a vast difference in what I’m able to accomplish, with my 6 months experience, and my practice sessions end with me feeling hopeful, instead of ragey.

This bow was exactly what I needed to help give me a richer sound on my violin. The bow is a little shorter than my other bows but it seems to work to my advantage.

First I was reluctant to buy a violin bow online. With much dissatisfaction on numerous bows ranged $400-$900 in some local music shops, I just would like to give this a try as I found free return was guaranteed with Prime membership. I have used this bow for a month, and I am very satisfied with the quality! Very well balanced and work very smooth on my violin. Great one!