Do you prefer your "real" Pernambuco bow over your high-end CF bow?

February 1, 2026, 3:17 PM · My best pernambuco bow (a J Voirin) is MUCH better - more responsive, better balanced, draws out many more colors from the violin and much more sound - than my best CF bow (a JonPaul Avanti). It isn’t even a competition. I use my CF bow for teaching and many gigs. I use my Voirin for solo performances, anything Mozart or Bach, and most orchestra concerts.

February 1, 2026, 3:46 PM · In a study around seven years ago (which hasn't been published so far, in which the players didn't know what material the bows were made from), high level players favored one particular carbon fiber bow over the pernumbuco bows involved in this particular test .

February 1, 2026, 3:50 PM · Personally, I have a CodaBow Diamond GX and a ~120-year-old Bazin Pernambuco; between those two there's no comparison, the Bazin wins in every category. I also have a 3-star Brazilian modern Pernambuco, and the Coda is slightly better than that one in projection and feel but not quite as good in fine tone color.

February 1, 2026, 4:14 PM · Thank you, Mary Ellen, David, and Richard, for your responses. I really appreciate them a lot.

Ok. Now I have a few things to consider with my own bow shopping....lol. I miss my bows, one of which I've had since high school. But, I'm also happy that they now belong to my kids. :)

February 1, 2026, 5:13 PM · I have a carbon fiber bow that is surprisingly good. It handles beautifully and gets a very decent sound out of most violins. For $500, it was a steal. But a proper wood bow will do more, in unexpected ways.

Edited: February 1, 2026, 10:24 PM · Wood and carbon fiber have different uses and advantages. On the low end I'd wager that carbon fiber is always better thanks to its consistency. But it's nowhere near as customizable unless you own a factory and can make it exactly to your specifications. I recently built a bow for myself, and the ability to camber and thickness it exactly the way that my hand wants it is a luxury only afforded by wood. On the high end if you're paying for a custom bow, that's part of what you're getting, as you can't hand plane carbon fiber. Well, unless you don't mind carbon fibers in your alveoli.

Edited: February 1, 2026, 6:30 PM · I don't own precious old french bows, and did not play many, but among the ones that i played with, without doubt, I prefer to use any of my 4 carbon fiber bows.

Nobody holds the Truth, and I am very happy when someone is fond of his wooden bow, but i believe that (for myself) no pernambuco bow can fully satisfy my needs. Simply physics does not permit.

I have a pernambuco bow that I like to use quite a bit, but when I need "cruise speed" and performance there are no substitute to my Arcus bows and another couple of carbon fiber bows that are more than 40 years old, made in Italy.

February 1, 2026, 6:58 PM · I did a serious search for a high-end CF bow a couple of years ago, with the intent that it would be able to replace my French bows. I came to the conclusion that there were Arcus S9 models that could be highly competitive with many contemporary pernambuco bows, and French bows in the same price range as the S9 -- but which weren't as good as my (more expensive) French bows or the best contemporary bows I've tried.

If your bow budget is $10k or less, you should definitely look at 9-level-quality Arcus bows.

I'm curious, David, what bow was used in that study, and if it's commercially available!

February 1, 2026, 7:22 PM · Ben, there is nothing offensive in your post. You asked an honest question. I don’t own a pernambuco bow, and likely never will, but I have played with a few.
I decided on a CF bow last fall, because it brought out what no other bow I tried, under $5K, wood or CF. It cost me less than $950. I rarely pick up my other bows now.

February 1, 2026, 7:54 PM · Lydia, I was not told the brand or maker of the carbon fiber bow. The group of people who are doing these sorts of tests are mostly testing the validity of some prevailing beliefs about instruments and bows, and don't want their tests to be a competition between makers. Competitions between makers are already done elsewhere.
They won't tell me the maker of the violin that came out on top in their tests, either.

February 1, 2026, 8:08 PM · Thanks again, everybody for all your thoughts, much appreciated!

Lydia, yes, my planned budget is 10K or less. But I can be persuaded to up the ante a little bit should I find the right Pernambuco bow. :).

What's funny is that one of the bows that I gave my kid that I bought when I was in high school only cost me $1500 at the time. I recently saw a bow from the same maker and from the same time period selling for $18K.. lol....inflation? lol.

My search for a "replacement" bow begins....lol

February 1, 2026, 9:47 PM · The bow I bought about 25 years ago has quadrupled in value, far outpacing inflation.

Edited: February 1, 2026, 10:03 PM · A $10k budget for a bow will afford you a lot of great options from high end German bows to some French bows as well as some of the Hill bows. A number of modern makers are in the range.

I do think that at the lower end carbon fiber can be hard to beat, especially comparing it to Brazilwood. As the price gets higher it seems to me there are diminishing returns, though.

I’ve had a number of carbon fiber bows over the years and I like the one I’m using now fairly well. However, I keep it for use in places where I don’t want to take a nicer bow. I like my pernambuco bows best.

February 1, 2026, 10:33 PM · Thanks for your thoughts, Rich. I plan to call my go-to violin shop to schedule an appointment so I can try some Pernambuco bows within my price range. I'll probably take my kids with me too and make it fun trip.. :)

February 1, 2026, 11:02 PM · Ask them to comment on the sound, especially if they go around the corner to listen. Projection at lower volumes varies a lot from one stick to the next.

February 1, 2026, 11:23 PM · Good idea! Thanks.