Pernambuco Bow Research Paper
Pernambuco String Bow
Pernambuco Bow
The pernambuco bow is a handcrafted bow made from Pau-Brasil trees. A selection of the trees that meet the standards are made into the bows. However, the supply is low because the trees are endangered, causing the price to go up.The pernambuco bow is made of heavier and denser wood than other bows. The wood has strength and responsiveness, and elasticity. The pernambuco’s camber(curve) is deeper. Many people suggest it should be used with intermediate and advanced instrumentalists because of it’s a higher quality bow appropriate for more advanced players.
R.A. Meinel Pernambuco bow The R.A Meinel is pernambuco bow that ranges in prices from $150 to $500. Shemeka Eldridge states that, “This bow is very versatile and a steal at it's[sic] current price.” Many people agree; SHAR.com gives it a five out of five star rating. The Meinel bow is round, meaning it is less stiff and more flowing. Alyssa Larson agrees when she writes, “ I am by no means a bow expert, but have played many different violins with many different bows, and this is as good as any bow I've used that was billed as ‘intermediate.’"
Price …show more content…
Although pernambuco wood bows are better sounding, there are some drawbacks.
Pau Brasil trees are decreasing in number, causing the pernambuco bows to become rare. The price on pernambuco bows are high compared to other bows. The silver-mounted holstein pernambuco Violin Bow costs $350. Pernambuco bows made by the best makers can cost up to a hundred thousands of dollars. However, it is possible to find fine pernambuco bows that retail for $1500. Most are in the higher 250-1000 dollar range and up, though they can be sold at sale
prices.
Sound
The pernambuco bow has been noted by many to have a better tone quality. An amazon customer writes, “It is a pernambuco bow and I can visibly hear a difference in the tone that it makes vs my Brazilian[sic] wood bow! This bow resonates more and has a very warm tone to it. My violin teacher also said the same when I show[sic] her the bow in our lesson and she played with it. She will be recommending this to her students and so do I. “ pernambuco bows are considered to have richer tone. K.N Quail agrees when he says, “The weight is perfect for me, and it pulls a louder, richer tone from my fiddle than my old one.”
Conclusion
Based on these reviews and samples of products, I would say pernambuco bows are bows of high quality but high cost. According to Amazon statistics on the pernambuco nickel/silver mounted violin bow , about half of the customers rated it a five star.
5 star
48%
4 star
18%
3 star
14%
2 star
6%
1 star
14%*Had defects
Pernambuco bows have good quality and rich sound and tone. The bows can get very expensive. I would suggest these types of bows for intermediate or advanced players. For beginners, I would suggest brasilwood or carbon fiber or fiberglass bows. Pernambuco bows are a good idea for those trying to pick a violin bow. But remember,the bow will always chooses the violinist, so be careful what you pick!
Pernambuco Bow
The pernambuco bow is a handcrafted bow made from Pau-Brasil trees. A selection of the trees that meet the standards are made into the bows. However, the supply is low because the trees are endangered, causing the price to go up.The pernambuco bow is made of heavier and denser wood than other bows. The wood has strength and responsiveness, and elasticity. The pernambuco’s camber(curve) is deeper. Many people suggest it should be used with intermediate and advanced instrumentalists because of it’s a higher quality bow appropriate for more advanced players.
R.A. Meinel Pernambuco bow The R.A Meinel is pernambuco bow that ranges in prices from $150 to $500. Shemeka Eldridge states that, “This bow is very versatile and a steal at it's[sic] current price.” Many people agree; SHAR.com gives it a five out of five star rating. The Meinel bow is round, meaning it is less stiff and more flowing. Alyssa Larson agrees when she writes, “ I am by no means a bow expert, but have played many different violins with many different bows, and this is as good as any bow I've used that was billed as ‘intermediate.’"
Price …show more content…
Although pernambuco wood bows are better sounding, there are some drawbacks.
Pau Brasil trees are decreasing in number, causing the pernambuco bows to become rare. The price on pernambuco bows are high compared to other bows. The silver-mounted holstein pernambuco Violin Bow costs $350. Pernambuco bows made by the best makers can cost up to a hundred thousands of dollars. However, it is possible to find fine pernambuco bows that retail for $1500. Most are in the higher 250-1000 dollar range and up, though they can be sold at sale
prices.
Sound
The pernambuco bow has been noted by many to have a better tone quality. An amazon customer writes, “It is a pernambuco bow and I can visibly hear a difference in the tone that it makes vs my Brazilian[sic] wood bow! This bow resonates more and has a very warm tone to it. My violin teacher also said the same when I show[sic] her the bow in our lesson and she played with it. She will be recommending this to her students and so do I. “ pernambuco bows are considered to have richer tone. K.N Quail agrees when he says, “The weight is perfect for me, and it pulls a louder, richer tone from my fiddle than my old one.”
Conclusion
Based on these reviews and samples of products, I would say pernambuco bows are bows of high quality but high cost. According to Amazon statistics on the pernambuco nickel/silver mounted violin bow , about half of the customers rated it a five star.
5 star
48%
4 star
18%
3 star
14%
2 star
6%
1 star
14%*Had defects
Pernambuco bows have good quality and rich sound and tone. The bows can get very expensive. I would suggest these types of bows for intermediate or advanced players. For beginners, I would suggest brasilwood or carbon fiber or fiberglass bows. Pernambuco bows are a good idea for those trying to pick a violin bow. But remember,the bow will always chooses the violinist, so be careful what you pick!