Blackerby Violin Shop - Stringed Instruments and Accessories

Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass Bows

Generally, the bow stick is made of one of three materials: brazilwood, pernambuco, or synthetic materials such as fiberglass and carbon fiber. Most student bows are made of fiberglass and brazilwood while advanced student and professional bows are always pernambuco or carbon fiber. Synthetic bows, strong and durable, have made great strides in recent years. Many professional players now use a carbon fiber bow while others may carry one as a back-up for their priceless old French bow.

Pernambuco, or pau brasil, comes from the coastal forests of Brazil. Heavy de-forestation over the centuries is threatening this tree so essential to string playing. There are now restrictions on the cutting and exportation of this wood. But that may not be enough. That is why several of the bow makers we carry have banded together to try to save this precious resource. They have formed the International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative. Tens of thousands of new trees have been planted, and a massive education program is underway. Ultimately, IPCI members hope to prevent pernambuco from becoming listed as endangered, a move bow-makers understand would threaten their livelihoods…and so much more. Recently, articles in the Smithsonian and Strings magazine have highlighted these issues.

Our Bow Inventory

Here is a list of bows we commonly carry. Of course, this does not include the one-of-a-kind or vintage bows we have in stock. Additionally, we also carry many unbranded bows, generally from Chinese workshops, that are excellent for the beginner and intermediate player.

New CodaBow Diamond Series bows

The CodaBow Diamond SX and GX are the latest edition to Coda's stellar line-up of student and professional bows. Both bows have a Kevlar Acoustic core and employ Diamond Weave technology. This allows Coda to control the bow design in two dimensions instead of laying the fibers out straight. The result is a bow that is stronger yet more flexible than a typical carbon fiber bow. This combination of strength and flexibility is the hallmark of all fine pernambuco bows. The GX has a typical ebony frog with abalone slide while the SX has an engineered frog (Xebony) with a unique diamond weave slide (see picture below). Prices: SX $575, GX $775