With a decent bass bow in hand, a player can unlock their full potential on the instrument. A poor-quality bow will not only make it harder to execute a player’s preferred bowing technique, but it can also prevent the instrument from sounding its best. So, it’s important to select a bow that feels comfortable and produces a sound that is true to the instrument.
To help you select the best string bass bows for your needs, here are our top picks.
Our Editor’s Best String Bass Bows Reviews
- High-grade workmanship: The shell material is made of high-density polyurethane foam, the exterior material is made of rugged 600D nylon raincoat,durable and waterproof,it can effectively protect the bow
- Large space: the inside can accommodate two bows, thus freeing the hands
- Internal protection: The interior is lined with soft material to protect your bow from scratches, while the reinforcement provides additional protection against impact
- Easy to carry: Removable and adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying and storage of your bow
- Several carrying styles: The bow case has backstraps and handles, which can be carried by shoulder or carried by hand to find the most suitable way for oneself
- Flexes Thumb: A bent yet flexible thumb is critical for full tone production. Thumb has options, depending on hand size, to curl comfortably into the loop of the elephant's trunk or puffed cheek.
- Relaxes Hand: Softly rounds index and middle fingers over the chubby body of the elephant opens to prevent tension in the hand.
- Positions Index Finger: Making direct contact with the bow stick between the first and second knuckles, the index finger correctly to rest on bow stick.
- Universal Fit: This accessory will help form a relaxed and effective bow hold for beginning cellists and cellists, age 4 thru adult, needing to relax or support a correct bow hold.
- BLACK HORSEHAIR - For the concert carbon bass bow, we use natural black Mongolian horsehair with great resilience, making it easier to be rosined. Black horsehair is thicker than white hair, you will get powerful and wild tone surprisingly.
- CARBON FIBER - The Concert Carbon German bass arch is a great combination of elasticity and hardness, with wonderful weight and length distribution. The 3/4 sized bass bow is approx.130g and 74cm including screw. Easy to play.
- FOR CONCERT USE - The upright double bass bow successfully combined high-tech silver braided Carbon Fiber and traditional handcrafted skills. It was built by experienced bowmaker with loud and powerful tone. Recommended for professional players.
- PERFECT BALANCE POINT -As you know, balance point is very important for a German bow. Our makers always adjust bow balance point for several times to ensure it is in the right range. Great balance point enables you to control the bow easier and more comfortable.
- CAREFULY HANDMADE - The Vingobow Concert Level Carbon Fiber German Bass Bow is totally made by traditional handcraft skills. Straight stick, clean work, ready to play. It is a good strong bow with exceptional bounce stability.
- BLACK HORSEHAIR - The Brazilwood German bass bow is built with natural black Mongolian horsehair with great resilience, easier to be rosined. Black horsehair is thicker than white hair, you will get powerful and wilder tone surprisingly.
- GREAT FOR ALL PLAYERS - The bass bow is made by experienced bowmaker, delivers you nice sound. A high cost-performance bow for all level players.
- BRAZILWOOD - The upright double bass bow has Brazilwood stick in round shape, air dried more than five years, great wooden bow hand feeling. The full sized German bass bow is approx.150g and 76cm including 6cm screw.
- GOOD BALANCE POINT - Great balance point enables players easier to control a bass arch. Our maker always adjusts it for several times to ensure its point is in the right range.
- HANDMADE - The Vingobow Student Black haired Brazilwood German bass bow is totally made with traditional handcraft skills. Straight stick, clean work, ready to play.
- BLACK HORSEHAIR - The Brazilwood French bass bow is built with natural black Mongolian horsehair with great resilience, easier to be rosined. Black horsehair is thicker than white hair, you will get louder and powerful tone surprisingly.
- BRAZILWOOD - The student bass bow has Brazilwood stick in octagonal shape with great wooden bow hand feeling, air dried more than five years. The 3/4 sized upright double bass bow is approx.147g and 70cm including screw.
- GREAT FOR ALL PLAYERS - The bass bow is made by experienced bowmaker, delivers you nice sound. A high cost-performance bow for all level players.
- GOOD BALANCE POINT - Great balance point makes the bass arch easier to be controlled. Our maker always adjusts it for several times to ensure its point is in the right range.
- HANDMADE - The Vingobow Student Black haired Brazilwood French bass bow is totally made with traditional handcraft. Straight stick, clean work, ready to play.
- Ernie Ball Bass Slinkys are played by legendary bands around the world including Tool, Rage Against the Machine, Zac Brown Band, Green Day, and Avenged Sevenfold
- Regular Slinky’s 50-to-105 gauge is one of the most popular 4-string bass gauges
- Rich, balanced tone
- Element Shield Packaging prolongs string life and keeps strings as fresh as the day they were made
- Made in California, USA with the freshest and finest materials
- German-style upright double bass bow, crafted with a Brazilwood stick for precise control and optimal sound quality.
- The ebony frog and natural horse hair on this 3/4 size bass bow provide a comfortable playing experience and rich, resonant tones.
- The shell inlay detail adds a touch of elegance to this 3/4 upright bass bow, ideal for any serious musician looking to make a statement.
- Well-balanced and responsive, this WUQIMUSC bass bow is perfect for solo performances, orchestral work, or studio recordings.
- With its exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, this 3/4 upright bass bow is a must-have for any serious bassist or collector.
- Flexes Thumb: A bent yet flexible thumb is critical for full tone production. Thumb has options, depending on hand size, to curl comfortably into the loop of the elephant's trunk or puffed cheek.
- Relaxes Hand: Softly rounds index and middle fingers over the chubby body of the elephant opens to prevent tension in the hand.
- Positions Index Finger: Making direct contact with the bow stick between the first and second knuckles, the index finger correctly to rest on bow stick.
- Universal Fit: This accessory will help form a relaxed and effective bow hold for beginning cellists and cellists, age 4 thru adult, needing to relax or support a correct bow hold.
- Durable Construction: This bass bow quiver is crafted from high-quality leather, ensuring a sturdy and wear-resistant design.
- Functional Design: The quiver stays open, making it easy to pull out and replace your bow while in use.
- Convenient Usage: Its well-crafted construction and user-friendly design facilitate seamless operation. Equipped with two leather laces, it can be securely fastened to the bass.
- Versatile Fit: The quiver offers a universal fit, suitable for various bass bow sizes and styles.
- Long-Lasting Quality: With its meticulous craftsmanship, this leather bow quiver promises long-lasting performance.
- COLOR - The natural Black horsehair is not all black. You may find several varicolored ones sometimes.
- QUANTITY - Each hank of black horsehair contains appro. 380pcs or more. Black horsehair is thicker than white horsehair. They are very durable.
- LENGTH - The item is 31 inches or more, long enough forbass bow use.
- INSTALLATION - We advise professorial maker to re-hair your bow to avoid unexpected damages to your bow when re-hairing.
- SOUND - The black Mongolian horsehair delivers wild and loud sound when playing.
Best String Bass Bows Buying Guide
Before choosing the best string bass bow you should consider following options:
1. Quality of the Bow: The quality of the bow is the most important factor to consider when choosing a bass bow.
The quality of the bow is determined by the materials used to produce the bow and the craftsmanship that goes into making it.
The most common materials used to make bass bows are either birch or bamboo. Both materials are strong and have good tonal qualities when used to make a bow.
It is preferable to have a bass bow made with a combination of birch and bamboo. This will give the bow a good attack and tone.
The quality of the materials and craftsmanship of the bow will determine the overall quality and price of the bow.
Low quality bows made with poor materials will be much cheaper than a good quality bow made with premium materials.
2. Balance and Weight of the Bow: Each bass bow has a unique balance and weight that the player must get used to.
The balance and weight of the bow will change from player to player depending on their grip and strength.
The player must find a bow that has a good balance and weight for their body size and playing style.
A bass bow that is either too light or too heavy will cause the player to tire much quicker and not perform at their best.
A bass bow that has too much weight will cause the player to hold the bow in a cocked position which will not allow the strings to be played with the proper sound production.
A bass bow that is too light will cause the player to over exert themselves and tire quickly.
3. Bow Grip: The bow grip is very important when playing the bass. The player must have a good quality, proper fitting bow grip when playing the bass.
A poor fitting or poor quality bow grip will cause the player to over exert themselves, tire quickly, and not produce a quality sound.
The bow grip should fit the player’s hand like a glove. It should not be too loose or too tight.
The leather should be smooth and supple and not too hard or too soft. If the leather is too hard, it will cause the player to tire quickly. If the leather is too soft, it will cause the player to over exert themselves and cause fatigue.
The bow grip should also be in good condition and should be replaced when it deteriorates.
4. The Length of the Bow: The length of the bow is another important factor to consider when buying a bass bow. A bass bow should be from 45 to 60 centimeters in length.
A bass bow that is too short will cause the player to over exert themselves and tire quickly. A bass bow that is too long will cause the player to hold the bow in a cocked position which will not allow the strings to be played with the proper sound production.
When an upright bassist is shopping for a bass bow they will have to take into account their height and arm length. If the bow is too long for the player, their arm will not be in a proper angle and they will over exert themselves.
If the bow is too short for the player, their arm will be in a cocked position which will cause them to over exert themselves and not produce a quality sound when playing the bass.
What else you should know about string bass bows
1) What are the best string bass bows?
There are many different types of string bass bows, so it really depends on what you are looking for. For example, if you are looking for a bow that is lightweight and easy to maneuver, then a carbon fiber bow might be a good option. If you are looking for a bow that has a lot of power and projection, then a brazilwood bow might be a better choice. Ultimately, it is up to the player to decide what type of bow works best for them.
2) What are the differences between string bass bows?
There are several different types of string bass bows, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types of bows are the French bow, German bow, and English bow.
The French bow is the most popular type of bow for string bass. It is lightweight and well-balanced, making it easy to control. French bows also have a softer, more mellow sound than other types of bows.
The German bow is heavier than the French bow and is often considered more difficult to control. German bows produce a brighter, more powerful sound than French bows.
The English bow is the heaviest type of bow and is very difficult to control. English bows produce a very loud, powerful sound.
3) What are the best materials for string bass bows?
There is no definitive answer to this question as different players have different preferences. Some common materials used for string bass bows include brazilwood, fiberglass, and carbon fiber.
4) How should I care for my string bass bow?
The first thing you should do is rosin your bow. You do this by rubbing the rosin onto the horsehair of the bow. Be sure to do this evenly. You should also check to see if the bow needs to be rehaired. You can do this by looking at the horsehair. If it is fraying or thin, it needs to be replaced.
5) How often should I replace my string bass bow?
The frequency with which you should replace your string bass bow depends on how often you play and how well you take care of it. Generally, you should replace your bow every 1-2 years if you play regularly.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best string bass bows. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best string bass bows will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.